Escalivada (Catalan pronunciation: [əskəliˈβaðə]; Spanish pronunciation: [eskaliˈβaða]), also sometimes transcribed in French as 'escalibade' and in Spanish as escalibada,[1] is a traditional dish from Roussillon, Catalonia, València, Murcia and Aragón of smoky grilled vegetables.[2] It typically consists of roasted eggplant and bell peppers with olive oil and sometimes onion, tomato, minced garlic, and salt.[3]

Escalivada
Alternative namesEscalibada
Place of originFrance, Spain
Region or stateCatalan Countries
Main ingredientsEggplants, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, olive oil

The name comes from the Catalan verb escalivar, "to cook in ashes", referencing the dish's traditional preparation in the embers of a wood fire.[1][4][5]

The dish can be grilled outdoors on a grate until charred and soft or may be cooked whole directly on glowing coals and then peeled.[1] Indoors, the eggplant may be charred on a gas burner and the rest of the vegetables may be broiled.[1] as a relish for grilled meats[1] or fish such as tuna,[6][7] with anchovies or olives in a salad,[1] or as a topping for coca (Catalan flat bread, somewhat similar to a pizza).[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Anya Von Bremzen, The New Spanish Table (Workman Publishing, 2005), p. 129
  2. ^ Jane Lawson, Cocina Nueva (Murdoch Books, 2005), p. 60; Helena Buffery & Elisenda Marcer, Food, in Historical Dictionary of the Catalans (Scarecrow Press, 2010), p. 174; Joyce Goldstein, Tapas: Sensational Small Plates From Spain(Chronicle Books, 2013), p. 80.
  3. ^ See Colman Andrews Catalan Cuisine: Vivid Flavors From Spain's Mediterranean Coast (Harvard Common Press, 2005 ), p. 170 (eggplants, red or green bell peppers, small onions, olive oil, garlic, and salt); Anya Von Bremzen, The New Spanish Table (Workman Publishing, 2005), p. 129 (eggplant, red bell pepper, tomato, red onion, olive oil, minced garlic, red wine vinegar, sea salt, parsley); Sid Goldstein, The Wine Lover Cooks with Wine: Great Recipes for the Essential Ingredient (Chronicle Books, 2004), p. 142 (eggplant, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes).
  4. ^ Rohan Daft, Menu Del Dia: More Than 100 Classic, Authentic Recipes From Across Spain (Simon & Schuster: 2008), p. 126.
  5. ^ Jose Andres with Richard Wolffe, Tapas: A Taste of Spain in America (Clarkson Potter, 2005), p. 93.
  6. ^ Sid Goldstein, The Wine Lover Cooks with Wine: Great Recipes for the Essential Ingredient (Chronicle Books, 2004), p. 142
  7. ^ Penelope Casas, Paella!: Spectacular Rice Dishes From Spain(Macmillan: 1999), p. 169