Eggplant & Sausage Linguine

Taken from Clean Eating Magazine.  VERY TASTY!

Eggplant & sausage linguine

INGREDIENTS:

• Cooking spray
• 1 ¼ lb. eggplant, cut into ¾ inch cubes
• Black pepper to taste
• 8 oz whole wheat linguini
• ½ onion chopped
• 8 oz. deli fresh, turkey sausage, casing cut open and meat crumbled
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 ½ cup chopped tomatoes
• 1 tsp capers, rinsed and drained
• 2 tsp red wine vinegar
• 1/3 packed cup parsley, chopped
• Sea salt to taste
• ½ cup low fat ricotta cheese

INSTRUCTIONS:

One:  Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Coat a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray; add eggplant in a single layer.  Coat eggplant with cooking spray and season with black pepper.  Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until tender and lightly browned, stirring once or twice.  Remove from oven and set aside.

Two:  Meanwhile, cook linguine according to package directions. Drain and set aside

Three:  coat a large skillet with cooking spray and heat on medium-high.  Add onion and sausage and cook, stirring frequently, until sausage is cooked through, about 8 minutes.  Add oregano, red pepper flakes and garlic and cook for 1 more minute.  Add tomatoes and bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium.  Stir in eggplant and capers and simmer until thickened slightly, 5 to 7 minutes.  Stir in vinegar and all but 1 tbsp parsley.  Season with salt and black pepper.

Four:  return linguine to pot it was cooked in and place on low heat.  Immediately add eggplant-sausage mixture and mix well.  Divide among 4 bowls and top each with 2 tbsp ricotta.  Sprinkle evenly with remaining 1 tbsp parsley and serve.