Stack eggplant slices in a colander, each piece sprinkled with sea salt. Weigh the slices with a large, full can of tomatoes or other weight and set aside in the kitchen sink so that juices run free. After 1 hour, rinse and pat dry.
Bring 6 quarts of water to a boil and add 2 tablespoons salt.
In a 12 to 14-inch saute pan, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat and saute eggplant slices until golden brown on both sides, working in batches if necessary and removing cooked eggplant to a plate lined with a paper towel.
Cook the penne in the boiling water until not quite done; about 5 minutes. Drain the pasta and toss with 3/4 cup of tomato sauce.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Grease a glass or ceramic oven dish with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Cover the bottom of the dish with a few tablespoons of tomato sauce. Top with half the bread crumbs, and salt and pepper, to taste. Add half the cooked pasta, then half of the eggplant slices, arranged in a layer. Drizzle about 1/4 cup of the tomato sauce over, and top with half the grated cheese and torn basil leaves. Repeat the process with remaining tomato sauce, bread crumbs, pasta, eggplant, cheese, and basil.
Drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and bake in oven for 1 hour. Let rest 30 minutes before serving.
Basic Tomato Sauce:
In a 3-quart saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and cook until soft and light golden brown, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add the thyme and carrot, and cook 5 minutes more, until the carrot is quite soft. Add the tomatoes and juice and bring to a boil, stirring often. Lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes until as thick as hot cereal. Season with salt and serve. This sauce holds 1 week in the refrigerator or up to 6 months in the freezer.
Yield: 4 cups

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Nutrition Facts

Per Serving Per 100 g

Amount Per 1 Serving
Calories	390 Kcal (1633 kJ)
Calories from fat	187.65 Kcal
		% Daily Value*
Total Fat	20.85g	32%
Sodium	1373.26mg	57%
Potassium	668.7mg	14%
Total Carbs	42.88g	14%
Sugars	16.57g	66%
Dietary Fiber	10.38g	42%
Protein	6.89g	14%
Vitamin C	11.5mg	19%
Vitamin A	0.1mg	2%
Iron	3mg	16%
Calcium	77.4mg	8%

Amount Per 100 g
Calories	111.4 Kcal (466 kJ)
Calories from fat	53.6 Kcal
		% Daily Value*
Total Fat	5.96g	32%
Sodium	392.26mg	57%
Potassium	191.01mg	14%
Total Carbs	12.25g	14%
Sugars	4.73g	66%
Dietary Fiber	2.96g	42%
Protein	1.97g	14%
Vitamin C	3.3mg	19%
Iron	0.8mg	16%
Calcium	22.1mg	8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Find out how many calories should you eat.

Tastes

salty
savory
bitter
sweet

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