Spaghetti E Fagioli And Roasted Eggplant Slices

Name: Spaghetti E Fagioli And Roasted Eggplant Slices
Ingredients: 1 lb spaghetti; 1 medium onion, chopped; 1 carrot, chopped; 1 celery rib, chopped; 5 cloves garlic, minced; 1 24 oz. can whole plum tomatoes; 1 1/2 cups cannelini or Great Northern beans, soaked overnight; a few sprigs fresh thyme, tied with kitchen string (reserve a sprig for garnish if desired); pinch each of dried oregano and rosemary; 2 bay leaves; pinch of hot red pepper flakes; 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; salt and pepper to taste; 1 medium eggplant, sliced to 3/4-inch rounds; extra-virgin olive oil; salt and pepper