by Maria Lina Bommarito

Although Pasta alla Norma is internationally well-known and appreciated, not everyone knows the story of its name. This simple but delicious Mediterranean dish finds its origins in Catania, the Sicilian province where the lively Etna volcano lies.

A true emblem of Sicilian culinary tradition, Pasta alla Norma is a very simple dish where maccaroni are mixed with fresh tomato sauce and enhanced with grated salted ricotta cheese and aubergines simply fried in olive oil. A Sicilian favorite, especially during the summer season when red ripe tomatoes are at their best and fresh aubergines arrive daily at the markets. Not forgetting the appetite-enhancing aromatic basil leaves!

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Source: http://www.timesofsicily.com/