Ingredients
3 tbsp. olive oil
1 onion
1 green or red bell pepper
1 small eggplant (about 1/2 pound)
1 zucchini (about 1/2 pound)
3 cloves garlic
1 1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. fresh-ground black pepper
1 c. canned crushed tomatoes in thick puree (one 15-ounce can)
2 tsp. Wine vinegar
3/4 lb. linguine
1/2 c. plus 2 tablespoons thin-sliced basil leaves
Preparation
Step 1In a large frying pan, heat the oil over moderate heat. Add the onion and bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the eggplant, zucchini, garlic, salt, and black pepper. Reduce the heat to moderately low and cook, covered, for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.Step 2Add the tomatoes and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in the vinegar.Step 3In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the linguine until just done, about 12 minutes. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta-cooking water. Drain the pasta and toss with the vegetables, the 1/2 cup basil, and, if the pasta seems too dry, some of the reserved pasta-cooking water. Serve topped with the 2 tablespoons basil.Step 4Wine Recommendation: The combined acidity of tomatoes and vinegar calls for a crisp, high-acid wine-one with enough earthiness to complement the vegetables. An unoaked chardonnay from northeastern Italy fills the bill.
