Easy Escalivada Recipe (Catalan Slow-Roasted Vegetables) (2024)

Updated: by Gustavo De Obaldia

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This Easy Escalivada Recipe is a simple yet incredibly delicious classic Spanish Tapa that serves as a side and can be coupled with virtually any dish or served as a Sunday brunch snack. It consists of perfectly roasted simple vegetables, bringing the most out of their natural flavors.

Easy Escalivada Recipe (Catalan Slow-Roasted Vegetables) (1)

A beautiful example of a vegetable dish that doesn't need much more than oven roasting, basic seasonings such as olive oil, sherry vinegar, salt, and pepper to become the best Catalan roasted vegetables.

Since I started making this dish, I have made it at least every fifteen days. It is the definition of simplicity, deliciousness, and health... all together!

It is amongst our preferred sides/snacks head-to-head to our Mom's Pickled Eggplants, and Spanish Sautéed Chickpeas with Spinach, head to head with what we call the "Italian" Escalivada recipe version, Potacchio di Melanzane, made on the stovetop, also on this site.

We typically make some Pagnotta bread (Easy Homemade Bread Loaf) and mix and match it with the different veggies and snacks. It's delicious!

We fell in love with his Catalan Escalivada Recipe. It is such a simple dish; it takes some time but rewards every second with flavor! Since then, we have been making it and always call him when we make it. This time was no exception.

We love our easy and hassle-free roasted veggies, such as roasted Brussels sprouts and roasted butternut squash!

Jump to:
  • 🧾Ingredients
  • 🔪 Instructions
  • 💡 Pro-Tips for Making the Best Escalivada Catalana
  • 🥡 Storing
  • 🍷 Wine pairing
  • 🍆 More eggplant recipes
  • 📋 Recipe
  • 💬 Reviews and Comments

🧾Ingredients

Easy Escalivada Recipe (Catalan Slow-Roasted Vegetables) (2)

This recipe is, without a doubt, the best-roasted vegetable recipe. First, you have to put the veggies in the oven. The best veggies to roast are:

  • Eggplants: The eggplants add a creamy, almost meaty texture, making this dish incredibly satisfying. They're the base that soaks up all the other flavors like a sponge.
  • Red Bell Peppers: These bring a natural sweetness and vibrant color to the party. Plus, they're chock-full of vitamin C, so you're basically eating health confetti.
  • Tomatoes: These juicy gems add both moisture and a tangy flavor to balance out the richness of the other veggies. They're also a good source of lycopene, an antioxidant.
  • Onions (optional): If you choose to invite onions to this Catalonian shindig, they'll provide an aromatic sweetness and a bit of bite. They're the wild card that can subtly shift the flavor profile.
  • Garlic Head: This is the flavor bomb that infuses the dish with its aromatic goodness. Roasting it mellows its pungency and adds a subtle, caramelized sweetness.

Season with extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar (sherry vinegar), and kosher salt.

Feel free to include green peppers as our Sommelier playfully suggest down with the suggested wine pairings.

See quantities and complete instructions in the recipe card.

🔪 Instructions

It is a very simple dish. It consists of three main steps. Preheat the oven.

Clean vegetables

Start by cleaning your ingredients except for the tomatoes, sprinkle salt and pepper, plus a drizzle of extra virgin olive. Place the vegetables directly in the oven on a baking sheet or a glass baking dish.

Easy Escalivada Recipe (Catalan Slow-Roasted Vegetables) (3)

Bake whole veggies

Let the vegetables cook for one hour, stir everything a little bit, add the tomatoes, and put the baking sheet back in the oven.

Easy Escalivada Recipe (Catalan Slow-Roasted Vegetables) (4)

Cooldown

Take the roasted vegetables out of the oven. Cooldown— carefully peel, remove the stems, and deseed the red peppers and eggplants; then cut the roasted onions in half and remove the skins (outer layer).

Season and serve

You can optionally add some red wine vinegar.

Transfer the roasted vegetables to a serving dish and serve warm or at room temperature; serve this side dish with crusty bread and extra olive oil if you like!

Easy Escalivada Recipe (Catalan Slow-Roasted Vegetables) (5)

💡 Pro-Tips for Making the Best Escalivada Catalana

  • The best temperature to roast veggies is 350º F (170 ºC). This method is our preferred way to roast vegetables (low heat, so they don't burn, their properties are maintained, and the flavor gets concentrated).
  • Add a little Good Quality Red Wine Vinegar on top; strongly recommended. However, be careful not to overdo it.
  • Optionally you can add some fresh parsley for serving, enhancing the Catalan Roasted vegetables' flavor.
  • These vegetables are typically served cold. Or serve at warm or room temperature. Just like our carrot greens pesto pasta salad. We also like eating it at medium-hot temperature, but the flavors of Catalan Roasted Vegetables sink, thicken, and set while it sits for a while, and subsequently add sherry vinegar optionally.
  • Keep the after-roast juices left. We also recommend keeping these flavor-packed juices. Use them as concentrated broth for risottos or any other preparation that needs a kick of flavor.

🥡 Storing

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. I recommend you add a drizzle of olive oil before serving if it has dried out.

🍷 Wine pairing

Easy Escalivada Recipe (Catalan Slow-Roasted Vegetables) (6)
  • Spain - Sparkling Off-Dry (Semi-Dry) - Cava
  • Chile - Dry - Sauvignon Blanc (Leyda Valley or Casablanca)
  • Spain - Dry - Godello (Bierzo)

🍆 More eggplant recipes

If you love eggplants, don't forget to check out our Italian 3-Ingredient Pasta Sauce, our veggie yellow Thai curry, Indian Eggplant Curry, and our traditional 4-Ingredient Italian Eggplant Stew.

  • Easy Vegan Lentil Curry without Coconut Milk
  • Vegan Eggplant Pie Recipe
  • Italian Eggplant Stew - 4 Ingredients
  • Vegan Quinoa Poke Bowl (no tofu) with Mint Sauce

⭐ If you try this recipe, let us know! 💬 Leave a comment, rate it, and don't forget to tag us @ourplantbasedworld on Instagram. Cheers!

📋 Recipe

Easy Escalivada Recipe (Catalan Slow-Roasted Vegetables) (11)

Easy Escalivada Recipe | Catalan Roasted Vegetables Side Dish

Author: Easy Escalivada Recipe (Catalan Slow-Roasted Vegetables) (12)Gustavo De Obaldia

A simple yet incredibly delicious classic Spanish Tapa that serves as a side and can be coupled with virtually any dish or served as a Sunday brunch snack.

5 from 25 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Resting Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine Healthy, Mediterranean, Spanish-Inspired

Equipment

Easy Escalivada Recipe (Catalan Slow-Roasted Vegetables) (13)

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Rectangular Baking Tray (affiliate link)

Easy Escalivada Recipe (Catalan Slow-Roasted Vegetables) (14)

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Brush (affiliate link)

Ingredients

  • 4 red bell peppers
  • 2 eggplants Aubergines
  • 5 onions medium
  • 6 tomatoes
  • 2 heads garlic whole
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil extra-virgin, I used this Organic Spanish one
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt coarse

Optional to Serve (and recommended):

  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar goog quality (sherry vinegar)
  • 1 tablespoon parsley chopped

Directions

  • Pre-heat the oven at 350ºF (170 ºC).

  • Wash and dry the eggplants, bell peppers, and tomatoes.

  • Pinch the eggplants with a fork (so it doesn’t explode in the oven).

  • Peel onions. Take off the outer layer of the onions.

  • Bake. Put all the vegetables except the tomatoes on a tray. Drizzle with olive, add the sea salt, and place it in the oven for 1 hour.

  • Remove and Toss. Take out the tray, stir the vegetables, and add the tomatoes. Place everything in the oven for another 30 minutes.

  • Check all the vegetables for softness as time may vary depending on your oven and the vegetables’ size.

  • Cool down. Let everything cool, remove the stems, and carefully peel and deseed the vegetables.

  • Plate. Put all the un-skinned veggies on a serving tray and top them with the juices left on the baking tray.

  • Season. Add a splash of red wine vinegar if desired. Have it as a side dish as each vegetable is full of flavor to enjoy on its own, or have it with bread. My favorite is sourdough bread. In Latin America, we have also eaten them even with some Venezuelan arepas and tortillas. These flavor-packed veggies just work well with any good starchy pairing.

Notes

Wine Pairing Suggestions by Our Sommelier Ramón Barreiro @pejo_barreiro

  • Spain - Sparkling Off-Dry (Semi-Dry) - Cava
  • Chile - Dry - Sauvignon Blanc (Leyda Valley or Casablanca)
  • Spain - Dry - Godello (Bierzo)

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 123kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 3gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 158mgPotassium: 710mgFiber: 7gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 2659IUVitamin C: 96mgCalcium: 41mgIron: 1mg

Did you make this recipe?Tag @ourplantbasedworld on Instagram and Hashtag it #ourplantbasedworld so we can see what's cooking!!

Nutritional Disclaimer

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice. See our fullNutritional Disclosure here.

Affiliate Disclaimer

Please note that some of the links here are affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. I recommend all of the products listed because they are companies I have found helpful and trustworthy.

VNFGF

More Easy Side Dish Recipes

  • Fennel Apple Salad
  • Seared Mushrooms (Boletus)
  • Fresh Aromatic Citrus Fennel Salad
  • Roasted Edamame
Easy Escalivada Recipe (Catalan Slow-Roasted Vegetables) (19)

About Gustavo De Obaldia

As the lead content writer and recipe developer at Our Plant-Based World, he combines his passion for health and sustainability with a Plant-Based Nutrition Certification to create accessible, delicious vegan recipes. His expertise in plant-based cooking supports the blog's mission of fostering a healthier, environmentally conscious lifestyle through simple and seasonal dishes. His commitment to making vegan cooking enjoyable and inclusive for everyone shines in each recipe and article.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave us a comment or feedback

  1. Iryna says

    Easy Escalivada Recipe (Catalan Slow-Roasted Vegetables) (20)
    My family really loves roasted vegetables. And this recipe is perfect! Flavorful and satisfying. Thank you!

    Reply

    • Gus says

      Thank you for trying our roasted vegetables recipe, Iryna! We're so happy to hear that you and your family enjoyed it. Roasting is a great way to bring out the natural flavors of vegetables and we're glad this recipe did just that. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply

  2. Neha says

    Easy Escalivada Recipe (Catalan Slow-Roasted Vegetables) (21)
    I am an absolute fan of slow roasted veggies, will try it your way! Love how you captured these clicks too.

    Reply

  3. Nathan says

    Easy Escalivada Recipe (Catalan Slow-Roasted Vegetables) (22)
    Very excited to try this escalivada, I've never had it before! And I'll definitely be pairing it with one (or all) of those wine recommendations!

    Reply

  4. Tara says

    Easy Escalivada Recipe (Catalan Slow-Roasted Vegetables) (23)
    Such an incredible way to highlight seasonal vegetables! Those flavors sound amazing. Definitely perfect for Sunday brunch.

    Reply

  5. Toni says

    I really love how flavorful and tasty it is! Irresistibly good!

    Reply

  6. Chris says

    Easy Escalivada Recipe (Catalan Slow-Roasted Vegetables) (24)
    I always love to try new dishes, so I came across your escalivada and I was impressed! now I'm obsessed!

    Reply

  7. Katie says

    Easy Escalivada Recipe (Catalan Slow-Roasted Vegetables) (25)
    This is such a flavorful and special recipe! I have never made it homemade before, and it was so much fun!

    Reply

    • Gus says

      Thank you for your review Katie! We're so glad to hear that you enjoyed our recipe.

      We hope to see you again soon.

      Reply

  8. Andrea says

    Easy Escalivada Recipe (Catalan Slow-Roasted Vegetables) (26)
    love how simple this is! i made it as an appetizer over the weekend and it paired so well with our dinner! thanks so much!

    Reply

    • Gus says

      Thanks Andrea, I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe!

      Reply

  9. Emily says

    Easy Escalivada Recipe (Catalan Slow-Roasted Vegetables) (27)
    This was so delicious, everyone loved it over the weekend. So glad I tried this new recipe!

    Reply

  10. ted says

    Easy Escalivada Recipe (Catalan Slow-Roasted Vegetables) (28)
    the simplicity is so rewarding! the ingredients totally shines on their own

    Reply

    • Gus says

      Thank you for your review, Ted! We're so glad to hear that you enjoyed our escalivada recipe.

      Reply

  11. Julia says

    Easy Escalivada Recipe (Catalan Slow-Roasted Vegetables) (29)
    What a delicious recipe. This was so full of amazing flavour. We'll be eating this again.

    Reply

  12. Kayla DiMaggio says

    Easy Escalivada Recipe (Catalan Slow-Roasted Vegetables) (30)
    This escalivada was so delicious! I had never heard of it before but I love trying new things so I gave it a try! It was a total winner!

    Reply

    • Gus says

      we are glad you liked it Kayla!

      Reply

  13. Tati says

    Sounds delicious! But you're missing the eggplant in the ingredients list

    Reply

Easy Escalivada Recipe (Catalan Slow-Roasted Vegetables) (2024)

FAQs

Can you roast vegetables low and slow? ›

Since you have time, try roasting your carrots low and slow.

Let's hit those carrots at 300°—hell, you can go as low as 250°! —for as long as it takes (probably closer to an hour, depending on the size). We can do that, because we have a solid chunk of time at home.

How long to roast vegetables at 250 degrees? ›

Low and slow: 250° F for 55 minutes (as Bon Appétit recommends) Limbo: 350° F for 35 minutes (Josh calls this oven no man's land, "halfway between the slow technique and the caramelization of high heat") Fast and furious: 450° F for 20 minutes (for caramelized outside bits and a still-firm texture)

What does Escalivada mean in English? ›

Escalivada is a traditional Catalan dish made with peppers, aubergines and onions. The name escalivada comes from the Catalan verb escalivar, meaning to cook slowly in ashes for a char-grilled result.

What is the secret to roasting vegetables? ›

The perfect temperature– 400 degrees Fahrenheit is the perfect temperature for most roasted vegetables. It allows for a crispy, perfectly browned exterior and a fork tender interior. But it will vary based on the types of veggies and oil used. If your veggies are not browning enough, try increasing the temperature.

What is the best temperature to slow roast vegetables? ›

I typically roast vegetables at 400-425 degrees F. Cut the vegetables into similar size pieces so they cook evenly.

What temperature do you slow roast vegetables? ›

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place butternut squash, yams, sweet potatoes, parsnips, carrots, turnip, mushrooms, shallots, and garlic in a large bowl. Add rosemary, salt, and pepper. Toss until evenly mixed, then add oil and toss until coated.

Should you salt vegetables before roasting? ›

The vegetables should be well-coated in oil and well-seasoned in order for them to roast properly and taste great. A good rule of thumb: 1 tablespoon of olive oil + 1 teaspoon of kosher salt + 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, per 1 pound of vegetables.

Should I season vegetables before or after roasting? ›

Because salt draws moisture out of the food, season veggies just before roasting. Place vegetables hot side down when applicable. Ideally, roast different vegetables separately since they all cook at different times. You can combine them together afterwards!

Why aren't my roasted vegetables crispy? ›

The Oven Temp Is Too Low

But, they'll turn out soft and soggy instead of crispy and caramelized. The solution: Turn the oven temperature up to 400°F to 425°F.

How do you pronounce escalivada? ›

Escalivada (Catalan pronunciation: [əskəliˈβaðə]; Spanish pronunciation: [eskaliˈβaða]), also sometimes transcribed in French as 'escalibade' and in Spanish as escalibada, is a traditional dish from Roussillon, Catalonia, València, Murcia and Aragón of smoky grilled vegetables.

What is timbal de escalivada? ›

Escalivada is a typical Catalan dish made out of Roasted Peppers, Eggplant, Onion, Tomatoes,… To prepare mine, I only used some red peppers, eggplant and potatoes. Roasted all of them. When done, covered them with a clean kitchen cloth or kitchen film to let it sweat.

Where is escalivada from? ›

Escalivada is a simple and robustly-flavored grilled vegetable dish that originates from the Catalonia region of Spain. Traditionally it's cooked over hot charcoal until the vegetables are soft, sweet and smoky, but it can also be cooked under an oven broiler (griller).

What is the best oil for roasting vegetables? ›

For vegetables, chicken, and just about everything else, olive oil and ghee are our first choices for roasting at temperatures over 400°F. Not only do they help food cook up with the crispiness you crave, but each one also imparts its own unique flavor that you just don't get from neutral oils like grapeseed or canola.

What baking ingredient makes roasted vegetables so crispy? ›

Turns out, there's a simple ingredient that can boost the crispiness of roasted vegetables and most of us already have it in our pantry: cornstarch! Yes, the same ingredient chefs use to make velvety sauces and gravies can also add a satisfying layer of crispiness to roasted vegetables.

Why do you use parchment paper when roasting vegetables? ›

All 3 liners serve as a barrier between the heat-conducting baking sheet and your food. But since parchment and silicone are both nonstick, whereas aluminum foil—unless specially labeled—is not, these materials should make for even fewer browning edges and will not require as much oil.

Is it better to slow roast vegetables? ›

But here's why: smaller vegetables take less time to cook throughout. On the other hand, harder and bigger vegetables are better cooked at 350-400 to prevent the vegetables from burning. Additionally, some vegetables with high water content (like tomatoes) should be slow roasted around 250F.

Can I roast veggies at 200? ›

Oven 30 minutes – Spread the vegetables on a large roasting tray and roast for 30 minutes at 200°C/390°F (180°C fan). If you want to reduce clean up, line the tray with paper. But it's not essential because we are using sufficient oil so the vegetables will not stick.

Can you roast vegetables at 300 degrees? ›

Certain vegetables can benefit from a "low and slow" treatment, whereby you roast them at a temperature like 300°F for an hour or two until it becomes soft and jammy. This texture is very different from a vegetable cooked at 400°F but can still be delicious.

Is slow cooking good for vegetables? ›

: I know that boiling vegetables makes them lose some of their nutritional value. But what if you cook them in a slow cooker and eat the liquid the vegetables stewed in? Answer: Done right, veggies prepared in slow cookers can deliver disease-fighting nutrients and a delectable meal all in one bowl.

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