- 1 eggplant (1 1/4 lb), peeled and cut into 1/4-inch dice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons salt-packed capers
- 1 red bell pepper
- 4 cups vegetable oil
- 10 green Bella di Cerignola olives, pitted
- 1/2 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves
- 1/4 cup loosely packed fresh parsley leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh marjoram
- 3 garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 anchovy fillet, rinsed and chopped
- 2 tablespoons dry white wine
- 1 lb penne rigate or fusilli
- Special equipment: a deep-fat thermometer
- Toss eggplant with salt in a colander set in a large bowl, then let drain, tossing occasionally, 1 hour.
- While eggplant drains, rinse capers in a sieve and transfer to a small bowl. Cover capers with water by 2 inches and soak 30 minutes. Drain, then repeat soaking. Drain and rinse capers, then squeeze dry and coarsely chop.
- Roast bell pepper on rack of a gas burner over moderately high heat, turning with tongs, until skin is blackened, about 5 minutes. (Or broil pepper on a broiler pan about 5 inches from heat, turning occasionally, about 15 minutes.) Transfer to a bowl, then cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let pepper steam 10 minutes.
- When cool enough to handle, peel pepper and discard seeds, stem, and ribs. Pat pepper dry and purée in a blender until smooth.
- Rinse eggplant and pat dry thoroughly. Heat vegetable oil in a 4-quart pot over high heat until it registers 375°F on thermometer. Fry one third of eggplant, stirring gently, until just golden brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. Fry remaining eggplant in 2 batches, returning oil to 375°F between batches.
- Pulse together olives, basil, mint, parsley, marjoram, and 2 garlic cloves in a food processor until finely chopped.
- Finely chop remaining garlic clove and cook in olive oil along with anchovy in a 5-quart heavy pot over moderately low heat, stirring, until anchovy dissolves and garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute. Increase heat to moderate and stir in pepper purée, then cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in olive mixture, capers, and wine and cook, stirring, until wine is evaporated, about 1 minute. Stir in eggplant (sauce will be very thick) and remove from heat. Keep warm, covered.
- Cook pasta in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water until al dente, then drain and stir into sauce. Season with salt.
- Available at specialty foods shops and .