Spring Pasta

Photo: flickr user FotoosVanRobin

Ingredients

4 smalls eggplant - (to 6)

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil plus more

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

pound fresh or frozen peas

6 spring onions thinly sliced

cup chopped parsley

2 tablespoons chopped sage

2 tablespoons chopped chives

1 garlic clove minced

Coarse salt to taste

1 bn arugula trimmed

1 pound dry fettuccine

2 tablespoons chopped chervil

3 tablespoons grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

1 cup ricotta cheese - (to 1 ½ cups)

Freshly-ground black pepper to taste

Preparation

Prick eggplant several times with the tip of a knife. Place eggplant in a parchment-lined bamboo steamer set over boiling water, and steam until tender, about 10 minutes.

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add peas, and season with salt. Cook, covered, for 2 minutes. Remove to a small bowl.

In the same skillet, heat remaining 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat. Add spring onions, parsley, sage, chives, garlic, cooked peas, salt, and 1 tablespoon water. Cook, covered, until onions are bright green, 3 to 5 minutes. Toss in arugula.

Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of salted, boiling water until al dente, 4 to 6 minutes. Drain pasta, and serve topped with pea mixture. Garnish with 1 tablespoon chervil and 1 tablespoon grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

Remove eggplant from steamer, and cut lengthwise almost in half. Top each eggplant with 1/4 cup ricotta cheese; season with salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil, and garnish with 2 tablespoons grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and remaining tablespoon chervil.

Serves 4 to 6.