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Fire-Roasted Vegetable Salad





Total Time
2 hrs

Russell Moore of Camino in Oakland, cooks some of the vegetables for this dish right in the fire, infusing the salad with smokiness. Serve it with fried eggs or any type of grilled meat or fish.

Gourmet camping: Fire-Roasted Vegetable Salad (0513)




Photo by Thomas J. Story
 1 garlic clove
 2 tablespoons high-quality red wine vinegar
 4 medium zucchini, sliced lengthwise 1/2 in. thick
 3 ears corn, husks and silks removed
 2 ripe tomatoes, cored
 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  About 3/4 tsp. kosher salt, divided
  About 1/2 tsp. pepper, divided
 2 whole onions, unpeeled
 2 red bell peppers
 2 yellow bell peppers
 1 cup lightly packed fresh mint leaves, torn into pieces
Step 1
1

Build a wood fire* in a camp grill or fire ring, using about 4 logs and some kindling; let burn to medium (you can hold your hand 5 in. above cooking grate only 5 to 7 seconds), about 1 hour. Adjust fire so there's a thick area of embers and smaller logs in the middle and larger logs to the sides.

Step 2
2

Smash garlic, put in a small bowl with vinegar, and set aside. In a large bowl, toss zucchini, corn, and tomatoes with 2 tbsp. oil, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper.

Step 3
3

Place onions in embers between some smaller logs and cook, turning every 10 minutes or so, until completely black and soft when squeezed with tongs, 25 to 40 minutes. Meanwhile, set peppers on embers and cook, turning every few minutes, until completely charred, about 20 minutes. Transfer vegetables to a board and let cool.

Step 4
4

Set cooking grate in place, if using a portable one. Grill zucchini, corn, and tomatoes (in batches, if needed), turning occasionally, until grill marks appear, 5 to 35 minutes, depending on distance from fire.

Step 5
5

Pull off blackened outsides from onions and peppers. Cut corn kernels from cobs into large bowl. Cut remaining vegetables into slices or strips, discarding seeds; add to bowl.

Step 6
6

Stir remaining 6 tbsp. oil into vinegar with remaining 1/4 tsp. each salt and pepper. Toss gently with vegetables, add mint, and more salt and pepper if you like.

Step 7
7

*Or cook all the vegetables over (but not in) a medium (350° to 450°) charcoal fire, adding 8 briquets every 30 minutes.

Step 8
8

Note: Nutritional analysis is per 1 1/2-cup serving.

Nutrition Facts

Amount Per Serving
Calories 269Calories from Fat 64
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 20g31%

Saturated Fat 2.9g15%
Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
Sodium 212mg9%
Total Carbohydrate 23g8%

Dietary Fiber 5.2g21%
Protein 4.5g9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.