Escalivada Food

ESCALIVADA

Steps:

• Prepare a hot fire in a charcoal grill, or preheat the oven to 500ºF.
• Brush the eggplants, onions, bell peppers, and tomatoes with olive oil.
• If using a grill, place the vegetables directly over the fire and grill, turning frequently, for 15 to 30 minutes, or until the skins blacken and the vegetables are tender.
• The variation in timing depends on the heat of the fire, and some vegetables, such as the tomatoes, may be ready before the others.
• If using an oven, arrange the vegetables on a rimmed baking sheet or in a roasting pan and roast, turning every 10 minutes, for 30 minutes, or until the skins blacken and the vegetables are tender.
• Remove the vegetables from the grill or oven, wrap in newspapers, slip into one or more plastic bags, and let cool for about 1 hour.
• Unwrap the vegetables. Peel the eggplants, peppers, and tomatoes, and peel away the outer layer of the onions. Split the bell peppers in half, discard the seeds and stems, and cut lengthwise into strips about 1 1/2 inches wide. Transfer to a bowl.
• Trim the stems from the eggplants and core the tomatoes, and then cut them into strips of the same size as the pepper strips and add to the bowl. Trim the onions, cut into rings, and add to the bowl along with the garlic.
• Add the 1/3 cup olive oil, season with salt, and toss to mix well. Serve at room temperature.

ESCALIVADA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Use about half of the olive oil to rub all the vegetables and place them on a large baking sheet (the tomatoes should be cut side up and the garlic should be tucked underneath the other vegetables so it does not burn). Roast the vegetables, removing the tomatoes after about 15 minutes, the garlic after 30 minutes, the eggplants and peppers after 45 to 60 minutes (depending on their size), and the onions and potatoes after 1 hour. All the vegetables should be softened and golden. As the vegetables are cool enough to handle, peel the garlic and halve it lengthwise. Peel the eggplants and peppers and tear them into thin strips with your fingers.
• Arrange all the vegetables on a large round platter, making an attractive design with the colors. All the pieces should be small enough so that the mixture can be scooped up onto a croute. Season generously with salt and pepper and sprinkle with lemon juice. Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the top and scatter on the parsley. If desired, sprinkle with goat cheese and chopped olives. Place the toasted croutes around the edge of the platter.

ESCALIVADA CON ANCHOAS (ROASTED RED PEPPERS AND EGGPLANT WITH ANCHOVIES)

Steps:

• Preheat your grill or broiler to high heat.
• Roast the eggplants and red bell peppers, whole, as close as possible to the heat source, turning and rotating each piece with kitchen tongs, to achieve an evenly charred exterior. The skin on the eggplants should get a dark toasted color and the bell peppers should be charred with papery layer of black. Put the roasted vegetables in a glass bowl, cover with a kitchen towel and set aside to cool.
• Once the reserved vegetables are cool enough to handle, peel both the peppers and eggplants. Slice the eggplants into long strips. De-seed the peppers and slice them into long strips.
• Combine the peppers and eggplants in a bowl and add 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil, salt and garlic, if using. Be careful to not over-season with salt because the anchovies are also very salty. Let stand for a minimum of 30 minutes.
• Serve in individual plates or on a platter, family-style. Lay the anchovies across the top of the dish. Finish the dish with a final drizzle of olive oil, a small splash of sherry vinegar and a light sprinkling of sea salt, if using. Serve with grilled crusty bread and some black olives.

ESCALIVADA (EGGPLANT SALAD WITH ONIONS AND PEPPERS)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C). Place onions in small baking pan and rub with olive oil. Roast in oven for about 1 hour, until tender when pierced with a fork. Allow to cool enough to handle, then peel and slice ½ -inch (12 mm) thick.
• Meanwhile, using a fork, prick the eggplants in several places and place them in a separate baking pan. Add the tomatoes to the pan and place in the oven along with the onions. Roast the tomatoes until the skins blacken, about 15 minutes, let stand until cool enough to handle, then peel and cut into cubes. Continue roasting eggplants until soft but not mushy, about 45 minutes. Let cool, then peel and tear into large strips. Set aside to drain in a colander.
• Set oven to broil (grill). Stem, seed and remove ribs (pith) from bell peppers. Place, cut sides down, on a baking sheet. Broil (grill) until the skins blacken and blister. Remove from the broiler (grill), cover loosely with aluminum foil, and allow to cool for 10 minutes, and then peel away the skins. Cut into long narrow strips.
• In large bowl, combine onions, eggplants, tomatoes, and peppers. In small bowl, whisk together the 1 cup (8 fl ounce/250 ml) oil, lemon juice, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Add to eggplant mixture and toss to coat well. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Garnish with parsley and serve.