(Newswire.net—August 12, 2013) Bradenton and St. Petersburg, Fl—“Involtini di melanzane” is rolled eggplant in Italian and it sometimes referred to as “day old pasta” because it can be made in groups and kept for baking days later. Following the process of this recipe was quite interesting and reminiscent of Gianni’s NY Pizza in Bradenton that features many home made Italian meals that it prepares.
This particular restaurant called Trattoria Grappolo in Southern California, features the step by step process of making this Involtini di melanzane. Pasta in and of itself is an art and can be very easy or very tricky. Understanding the heat process is important while boiling the water in a pot requires bringing the water to boil before placing the pasta in so that the time required to cook is exactly accurate and can therefore allow for its ideal cook. Sometimes, pasta can be cooked and drained in a colander and left to sit but often times requires cool water on top to “arrest” the continuous cooking in order not to over cook. The heat does not stop cooking while sitting even though out of the boiling water.
The use of basil, tomato sauce, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, extra virgin olive oil, parmesan cheese, and eggplant are the ingredients required for this dish. Firstly, the tomato sauce is made with fresh tomatoes and tomato paste to thicken the sauce with oregano for seasoning. The eggplant is cut into strips along the oblong part of the eggplant and fried in olive oil for a few minutes and placed on a paper towel for draining any excess oil.
The pasta (angel hair) is removed from the boiling water and immediately placed in a pan with the sauce that has different cheeses in it which becomes the essential filling for the roll itself. Then the pasta is taken and placed in the eggplant as the eggplant is rolled up and placed in a pan again with the sauce and covered with smoked mozzarella cheese and baked in the oven. Each step along the way is accompanied with fresh basil and oregano, and parmesan cheese that enhances all of the various flavors.
Each of the rolls can be stored and saved for when ready to be eaten and hence, the “day old pasta” title. For a tour of an interesting Italian restaurant with its recipes in Bradenton, contact or visit Gianni’s NY Pizza in Bradenton at 4925 East State Road 64 Bradenton – FL – 34208 (941) 896-9700 or St Petersburg, FL 936 58th Street North St. Petersburg, FL 33710 and experience for yourself. http://www.giannisnypizza.com