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Escalivada served on toasted bread with anchovies (tostada).
Easy Mediterranean Recipes

Authentic Escalivada Recipe (Catalan Roasted Vegetables)

A traditional Catalan roasted vegetable dish featuring intensely smoky eggplant, red peppers, and onions, dressed with premium olive oil. Naturally vegan and perfect for the Mediterranean diet.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 19 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 180

Ingredients
  

2 Large Eggplants
3 Large Red Bell Peppers
2 Yellow Onions
2 Ripe Tomatoes (Optional)
Dressing & Seasoning:
1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil (high quality)
1/2 tsp Sea Salt (or to taste)
Freshly Ground Black Pepper (to taste)
Garnish (Optional):
6 Anchovy fillets
1/4 cup Black Olives (e.g., Kalamata or Catalan)
2 cloves Garlic, thinly sliced

Method
 

Prep & Preheat
  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) or heat a grill to medium-high. Wash all the vegetables, keeping them whole, no peeling or slicing.
Roast or Char
  1. Place the whole vegetables on a baking sheet (or directly on the grill). Cook for 45-75 minutes, turning occasionally, until the skins are deeply blackened and blistered and the vegetables have softened and collapsed.
Steam (Essential Step!)
  1. Transfer the hot, charred vegetables to a large bowl and cover tightly for 15 minutes. Do not rinse them; this step loosens the skins and enhances flavor.
Peel & Slice
  1. Once cool enough to handle, gently peel off the charred skins. Remove the pepper seeds. Slice or tear all vegetables into ½-inch strips.
Dress & Serve
  1. Arrange the strips on a platter. Drizzle generously with olive oil and a splash of sherry vinegar. Season with salt and pepper, then let the dish rest for 30 minutes at room temperature before serving.

Notes

Pro Tip: The steaming step is critical for flavor retention and easy peeling.
Do not rinse the roasted vegetables, as this washes away the smoky compounds. Serve with good bread or anchovies.