Smoky Pulled Aubergine Ragu

Dice up your onion, celery and carrot as small as you can to make your sofritto.

Preheat a large saucepan over medium heat, add the sofritto with a big glug of oil and a pinch of salt. Cook for 10 mins until soft and translucent.

Add the fennel seeds and finely grate in the garlic. De-seed and finely chop the chilli and get that in there too. Cook for 5 mins then add the white wine and turn the heat down to low. Let the wine slowly reduce for 10 mins.

Add the tinned tomatoes to a small bowl and crush with your hands. Add them to the saucepan and cook gently for 15 mins.

Meanwhile, place the aubergines directly over a gas burner or under a hot grill. Cook, turning regularly, for 10 mins until totally blackened and collapsing. Steam in a covered bowl for 2 mins before carefully peeling off the burnt skins.

Pull the cooked aubergines into bite sized pieces with two forks and add them to the ragu. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Now cook the pasta in boiling salted water according to the package instructions. Add your pasta to the ragu along with a handful of basil and a load of parmesan cheese.

Toss together, divide between warm bowls and top with extra parmesan, basil and a drizzle of olive oil.

Get stuck in.