Sweet heirloom tomatoes meet smoky charred vegetables in this fresh summer side. You'll toss tender grilled okra, eggplant, and red onion in a deeply savory anchovy and garlic butter that melts right into the produce. A splash of sherry vinegar cuts through the richness, balancing the entire plate. It's a striking, flavor-packed dish that easily steals the spotlight at any backyard cookout.
Prep
20 min
Cook
25 min
Total
45 min
Servings
6
Course
Salad
Ingredients
¼ cup unsalted butter
¼ cup olive oil
4 garlic cloves, grated
2 oil-packed anchovies, finely chopped
1¼ tsp. kosher salt, divided
¾ tsp. black pepper, divided
4 small Fairy Tale eggplants, halved lengthwise, or 1 small Globe eggplant, sliced into ½-inch-thick rounds
6 oz. purple okra, halved lengthwise
1 small red onion, cut into ½-inch wedges
2 tsp. sherry vinegar
2 lb. purple or black tomatoes (such as Cherokee Purple, Kumato, or Black Cherry), cut into wedges or halved
1.
Instructions
1Melt the butter with the olive oil, grated garlic, chopped anchovies, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of the black pepper in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir frequently for 4 to 6 minutes until the anchovies mostly dissolve, then set aside. The anchovies melt into the fat, creating a deeply savory base without any fishy taste.
2Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (400°F to 450°F). In a large bowl, toss the halved eggplant, okra, and red onion wedges with 2 tablespoons of the prepared butter mixture, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of the black pepper.
3Place the seasoned vegetables directly onto oiled grill grates. Grill, turning occasionally, until they're tender and lightly charred. The okra will take 3 to 5 minutes, the eggplant needs 8 to 12 minutes, and the onion requires 14 to 18 minutes.
4If the remaining butter mixture has solidified, warm it in a small saucepan over low heat. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the sherry vinegar.
5Arrange the fresh tomato wedges, grilled eggplant, okra, and onion across a serving platter. Season the vegetables with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt and pepper, then spoon the warm butter dressing over the top while the grilled vegetables are still warm.
Notes
Garnish: Top the finished salad with fresh purple basil leaves and thinly sliced radishes.
Tomatoes: Dark varieties like Cherokee Purple, Kumato, or Black Cherry create a beautiful visual contrast against the green okra.
Make ahead: You can prepare the anchovy garlic butter up to 3 days in advance and store it in the fridge. Gently reheat before using.