Persian Saffron-Spiced Pasta with Split Peas

You won’t believe the things I found in my crisper drawer on Saturday.

Let’s just say it is the place where cucumbers go to die.

And turn to mush.

And leak their mush all over every other vegetable in a very sadistic, “IF I’M GOING DOWN, I’M TAKING YOU DOWN WITH ME!” kind of way.

They are so self-involved, it’s unbelievable.

So I spent Saturday on my hands and knees, heavy duty rubber gloves in tow, disinfecting my crisper with a toothbrush.  You just don’t know where those cucumbers have been or what diseases they’ve contracted along the way. Do you think it’s just a coincidence that they’re so phallic-ly shaped?  Do you want to give yourself and everyone you cook for syphilis just because a cucumber decided to explode in your fridge?  I think not.

While I was digging around in there, I discovered three eggplants, a bunch of spinach and a bell pepper that all needed my immediate love and attention.  And since I’m officially knee-deep in marathon training, it seemed that pasta was the way to go.

Who am I kidding.  Pasta is always the way to go.

I bookmarked this pasta dish from not one, but two of my favorite sites, about a decade ago.  With the warming spices of cinnamon and saffron, it calmed me down after the cold chill that the cucumber “situation” had sent down my spine.  Though the original recipe called for beef or lamb, I merely omitted it, adding in the spinach and bell pepper I had found to bulk up the sauce.  While you can feel free to add the meat back in, I don’t think it’s necessary.  This dish was satisfying enough as is and hearty enough to put the warmth back in your bones and the spring back in your step.  Which, I think, is what we all need after the infamous cucumber invasion of 2011.

Persian Saffron-Spiced Pasta with Split Peas
Serves 4, adapted from Got No Milk and Once Upon A Feast

Ingredients

• 1 cup yellow split peas, sorted and rinsed
• 3 cups water
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, coarsely chopped
• 1 bunch spinach, chopped
• 3 small eggplants or 1 large eggplant, diced finely
• 1 bell pepper, diced finely
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp saffron threads
• 19 oz canned diced tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 8 oz penne

Instructions

1. Cook the split peas in a large saucepan in 3 cups salted water. Bring to a boil, lower heat, and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes. In a separate pot, bring salted water to a boil for the pasta.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet and add onions.  Saute over medium heat until soft (5-7 minutes).  Add in the spinach and cook until wilted.  Add the eggplant and bell pepper, as well as salt and pepper to taste, and mix well.  Cook, stirring occasionally, until the eggplant begins to soften, 5-6 minutes.  Add the cinnamon, saffron, and tomatoes.  Mix well, cover and cook over low heat for 15 minutes.
3. Mix the tomato paste with 1/4 cup water and add to the eggplant sauce.  Fold in the cooked split peas and simmer, covered for 5-10 minutes so that the flavors meld.  Add the lemon juice and taste for seasonings.
4. Cook pasta according to instructions.  Drain and mix with the split pea sauce.  Serve

I am submitting this to:
Meatless Mondays hosted by Chaya of My Sweet and Savory
Maniac Meatless Mondays hosted by Rebecca Jean of Midnight Maniac
Presto Pasta Nights hosted by Simona of Briciole