Meaty Pasta with eggplant and zucchini

This wonderfully tasty, meaty pasta is very easy to prepare and can be a perfect dinner for the family! And the addition of zucchini and eggplant makes it healthy too. Penne pasta can of course be substituted with other types of pasta, but it’s our favorite, which is why we have used it in this recipe. After the recipe description, you will find our video on how to prepare the dish, which may help you to recreate it. Bon appétit for this meaty pasta with vegetables!
In a nutshell, eggplant
The eggplant’s ancestor originated in Southeast Asia. It reached Europe via Arab mediation, where it was known and cultivated as early as the 17th century in the Mediterranean region and the Balkan Peninsula. People used to avoid eating eggplant because they believed it would cause mental disorders and leprosy. We’ve known since the 20th century that it’s not only not harmful, but it can also be extremely beneficial. It is still primarily consumed in India and the Far East. Turkey alone produces more than all other European countries combined. The deep purple, round or egg-shaped eggplant is known as the Italian eggplant, while the pale purple, skinnier version is known as the Chinese eggplant.

Physiological effects of eggplant
The energy value is low, but the water content is high. Carotene, anthocyanins, carbohydrates, protein, mineral salts, and vitamins A and C are all present. It is advised to consume it if you have diabetes, liver, bile, or kidney problems. Hematopoietic, diuretic, and anti-inflammation agent. It also contains nausin, an antioxidant. According to clinical studies, eggplant boosts the immune system. The plant’s green parts are poisonous.
A few words about zucchinis
The zucchini comes from a type of pumpkin that was first domesticated more than 7,000 years ago in Mesoamerica. It was first described in 1856 by the French botanist Charles Victor Naudin, although the first description of the variety under the name zucchini (‘Zucca Quarantine Vera Nana’) can be found in a work published in Milan in 1901. This relatively new variety was then intensively bred both in the United States and in Europe, making it one of the most widespread and economically important summer squash varieties.
What is zucchini good for, what does it contain?
Among the minerals it contains are phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron, zinc, copper and manganese. The vitamin content of zucchinis is also high and there are different types of zucchini. The vitamin content of zucchini is rich in vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, E and C. In addition, the vitamin K content of zucchinis is worth mentioning, but zucchinis are not necessarily an excellent source of vitamin K. The content of an average-sized, raw zucchini can be around 11 micrograms of vitamin K, which is relatively low compared to the recommended daily intake. The beneficial effects of zucchinis also include their high water content and laxative effect, but also their anti-inflammatory effect and their effectiveness against stomach infections.
The effect of zucchinis is not only on the body, but also on the mind. Zucchinis help you to sleep peacefully, but can also be used to combat tiredness and bad moods. Thank you to the vitamin E it contains, it can also be a very useful ally in binding free radicals. Due to its high folic acid content, it has a positive effect on digestion. When buying zucchinis, it is better to choose specimens that are rather tender, undamaged and with hard flesh.
Let's cook this vegetable meaty pasta!
Let’s get back to our recipe! To help you, you can find our short film about making it at the bottom of the page. Enjoy your meaty pasta!
Ingredients of meaty pasta:
- 500 g Penne pasta
- 400 g turkey breast fillet
- 1 zucchini
- 1 eggplant
- 1 onion
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 200 ml cooking cream
- salt, pepper, oregano, thyme
- 2-3 tbsp of olive oil
- grated cheese, parsley for serving
Steps:
- Remove the ends of the zucchini and eggplant and then cut them into cubes. Salt them and leave them to stand for a few minutes.
- Remove the ends of the zucchini and eggplant and then cut them into cubes. Salt them and leave them to stand for a few minutes.
- Replace the olive oil and fry the finely chopped onion for 4-5 minutes. Add the zucchini and eggplant, cover and cook over a low heat for 20 minutes.
- Add the crushed garlic, season with salt, pepper, thyme and oregano. Cook for a further 5 minutes.
- Add the fried turkey strips, cooking cream and cooked pasta. Cook and stir meaty pasta for a few minutes.
- Serve with grated cheese and chopped fresh parsley. Enjoy your meaty pasta!
Watch our video about meaty pasta recipe: