Grilled eggplants with cherry tomatoes are the simplest and most delicious side dish. With the first cool days and the sun finally coming back to light the first spring flowers, and the days getting longer, I immediately feel like starting to prepare the vegetables of the warmer season again. So, among cabbages, broccoli, pumpkin and savoy cabbage, here come the first eggplants. Yes, I know they are not yet in season, but I couldn’t resist! Eggplant, with its soft texture and the delicately smoky flavor after grilling, becomes the perfect base to welcome the freshness of ripe cherry tomatoes and the fragrance of basil torn by hand. And with eggplants it’s impossible to resist a delicious Eggplant Parmesan and a tasty savory pie with eggplant. This is a recipe that tastes of Mediterranean cuisine: few, genuine and well-balanced ingredients that enhance each other. Great as a side dish, appetizer or base for bruschetta and cold dishes. The secret for excellent grilled eggplants is to let them marinate for at least one hour before serving. Light, fragrant and colorful, grilled eggplants with cherry tomatoes are the symbol of simple cooking that knows how to win hearts with little. And simplicity, when done well, becomes pure poetry in the kitchen!
AND DON’T MISS THESE RECIPES TOO:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Budget-friendly
- Rest time: 1 Hour
- Cooking time: 18 Minutes
- Portions: 4 Servings
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Spring, Summer
- Energy 70.65 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 6.68 (g) of which sugars 5.36 (g)
- Proteins 1.10 (g)
- Fat 4.93 (g) of which saturated 0.69 (g)of which unsaturated 0.07 (g)
- Fibers 2.56 (g)
- Sodium 100.03 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 150 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients for Eggplants with Cherry Tomatoes
- 1.1 lb eggplants
- 1 1/3 cups cherry tomatoes
- to taste extra virgin olive oil
- 4 tablespoons vinegar
- to taste salt
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 sprig basil
How to prepare Grilled Eggplants with Cherry Tomatoes
Wash the eggplants. I prefer not to peel them, but you can if you like. Cut the eggplants into slices not too thin, about 3/16 inch (≈0.19 in). Lightly pat the eggplant slices dry with paper towels.
Grill the eggplants on a very hot grill, first on one side and then on the other. Arrange the eggplant slices on a large plate so they don’t overlap too much. Salt them and dress with 3–4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, the vinegar and one finely chopped clove of garlic. Cover with plastic wrap and let marinate for at least one hour.
Wash the cherry tomatoes and cut them into pieces. Add the tomatoes to the marinated eggplants, sprinkle with fresh basil leaves torn by hand and finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
See you tomorrow with a new recipe, hugs, Loredana
Loredana’s Tips
If you have leftover eggplants, store them covered with plastic wrap or in a container for 1–2 days.
For a richer and tastier dish you can add lots of small cubes of mozzarella, crescenza, stracchino or even feta.
Don’t miss the recipe for Baked Eggplant Rolls
Your Questions
How to get perfect grilled eggplants?
To get perfect grilled eggplants, cut them into slices about 3/16 inch thick, dry them well and cook them on a very hot griddle without piercing them. They should be soft inside and slightly golden outside.
Should grilled eggplants be salted before cooking?
If they are fresh and in season it’s not necessary. If they taste slightly bitter, you can sprinkle them with salt and let them rest for 30 minutes, then rinse and dry them.
Can I prepare grilled eggplants in advance?
Yes, they are perfect to prepare in advance. In fact, letting them rest 1–2 hours allows the flavors to meld better. They keep in the refrigerator for 2–3 days.
Can grilled eggplants be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze them already grilled and well dried. It is advisable to separate them with parchment paper to avoid sticking.
