Escalivada Recipes

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.

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.