Grilled Eggplant With Mint

GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH MINT

By Canal House

We grill whole large globe eggplants over hot coals (and sometimes directly on a bed of medium-hot coals) until they collapse completely, then scrape the soft flesh out of its leathery skin to make baba ghanoush or other seasoned spreads. But we grill a smaller, narrower globe or long, thin Japanese eggplant when we want to eat them skin and all.

Ingredients:

  • 8 small narrow globe or Japanese eggplants, halved lengthwise

  • Salt

  • 2 lemons

  • Extra-virgin olive oil

  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed

  • 1–2 pinches red pepper flakes

  • 1 large handful mint leaves, chopped

Instructions:

  • Put the eggplant in a large bowl. Season with salt, the juice of 1 of the lemons, and a generous glug of olive oil. Turn the eggplant until well coated.

  • Prepare a medium-hot charcoal grill. Grill the eggplant cut side down without moving them until they are well browned with grill marks and can be moved without sticking to the grill, about 5 minutes.

  • Turn them over and grill the other side until the flesh is tender, about 5 minutes.

  • Transfer the eggplant back to the bowl with the marinade and squeeze the juice from the remaining lemon over them. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, mint, and plenty of olive oil. Toss until well coated and season with salt. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Makes 4-6 Servings 

Brian Katemaneggplant, grill