Grilled Whole Eggplant with Harissa Vinaigrette

Grilled Whole Eggplant with Harissa Vinaigrette
Grilled Whole Eggplant with Harissa Vinaigrette
Nestle a whole eggplant in the dying embers of a charcoal grill (or char it on the grates of your grill) and it’ll soften into a deliciously smoky, spoonable mush. An easy harissa vinaigrette poured over the top adds sweet, spicy flavor to this summertime appetizer.
  • Preparing Time: -
  • Total Time: -
  • Served Person: 4–6 servings
Eggplant Grill/Barbecue Lemon Juice Honey Parsley Bread Soy Free Dairy Free Peanut Free Summer Fall Dinner Appetizer Middle Eastern
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley
  • 1 tbsp. honey
  • 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
  • 1 large eggplant (about 1 1/2 lb.)
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt, divided
  • 1 tbsp. harissa paste
  • 4–6 (1"-thick) slices crusty bread, toasted on grill if desired
  • Carbohydrate 20 g(7%)
  • Fat 10 g(15%)
  • Fiber 4 g(15%)
  • Protein 4 g(7%)
  • Saturated Fat 1 g(7%)
  • Sodium 366 mg(15%)
  • Calories 180

Preparation Prepare a charcoal fire in a grill. Let coals cool to medium heat (coals should be covered with ash and glowing red with no black remaining). Grill eggplant directly on coals, turning occasionally, until skin is blackened and flesh has collapsed, 15–20 minutes. (Alternatively, grill on the grate of a gas or charcoal grill over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, 20–25 minutes.) Transfer to a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet and let cool slightly. Carefully remove skin from eggplant, leaving stem intact. Season on all sides with 1/2 tsp. salt. Let sit on rack until excess water is drained, 20–30 minutes. Whisk oil, lemon juice, harissa, honey, and remaining 1/2 tsp. salt in a small bowl to combine. Using a paring knife, make several slits down length of eggplant on each side. Transfer to a plate and pour dressing over. Top with parsley and serve with bread alongside. Do Ahead: Eggplant (without parsley) can be dressed 8 hours ahead. Let sit at room temperature up to 4 hours. Chill, if waiting longer, and let sit at room temperature 1 hour before serving.

Preparation Prepare a charcoal fire in a grill. Let coals cool to medium heat (coals should be covered with ash and glowing red with no black remaining). Grill eggplant directly on coals, turning occasionally, until skin is blackened and flesh has collapsed, 15–20 minutes. (Alternatively, grill on the grate of a gas or charcoal grill over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, 20–25 minutes.) Transfer to a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet and let cool slightly. Carefully remove skin from eggplant, leaving stem intact. Season on all sides with 1/2 tsp. salt. Let sit on rack until excess water is drained, 20–30 minutes. Whisk oil, lemon juice, harissa, honey, and remaining 1/2 tsp. salt in a small bowl to combine. Using a paring knife, make several slits down length of eggplant on each side. Transfer to a plate and pour dressing over. Top with parsley and serve with bread alongside. Do Ahead: Eggplant (without parsley) can be dressed 8 hours ahead. Let sit at room temperature up to 4 hours. Chill, if waiting longer, and let sit at room temperature 1 hour before serving.