Salata Mashwiya (Libyan Grilled Tomato and Pepper Salad)
Local name: سلطة مشوية
In short: Charred tomatoes, peppers, onion and chilies peeled, chopped and dressed with garlic, lemon and olive oil. A smoky Libyan salad for grilled meat. It takes about 45 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 190 kcal
Salata mashwiya is the smoky salad that Libyans serve beside grilled lamb, fish and bread. Tomatoes, peppers, onion and chilies are blackened over a flame, peeled and chopped by hand into a juicy, rustic mix, then dressed with olive oil, garlic and lemon. The charred skins give it a deep, sweet smokiness. Warm bread soaks up the juices, so people usually eat it as much as a dip as a salad.
Instructions
- Heat the broiler on high, or light a grill. Place the tomatoes, peppers, chilies and the whole unpeeled onion on a tray or grate.
- Cook the vegetables, turning them every 4 to 5 minutes, until the skins are blistered and blackened in places. Peppers and chilies take about 15 minutes, tomatoes 12 minutes and the onion about 25 minutes.
- Put the hot peppers and chilies in a bowl and cover tightly for 10 minutes so the skins loosen.
- Peel the tomatoes, peppers, chilies and onion, and remove the stems and seeds from the peppers and chilies.
- Chop everything by hand into small pieces, keeping all the juices. Do not purée it.
- Stir in the garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, cumin and salt. Taste, adjust, then top with parsley and olives and serve warm or at room temperature with bread.
Tips
- No grill? Char the vegetables directly on a gas burner with tongs, or roast them on a tray at 250°C (480°F) for 25 to 30 minutes, turning once.
- To make it a main-course salad, stir in a can of drained chickpeas or serve it over warm rice with extra bread.
Questions and answers
Can I make salata mashwiya ahead of time?
Yes. It tastes even better after an hour. Keep it covered in the fridge for up to 2 days and drain a little liquid before serving.
How spicy is it?
It depends on the chilies you use. Remove the seeds for a mild salad and leave them in for a fiery one.
What do you serve with salata mashwiya?
It is served alongside grilled meat, fish or kofta, and with warm bread. It also works as a topping for rice or a filling for sandwiches.
How long does it take to make Salata Mashwiya (Libyan Grilled Tomato and Pepper Salad)?
About 45 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Salata Mashwiya (Libyan Grilled Tomato and Pepper Salad)?
About 190 kcal per serving, with 3 g of protein, 14 g of carbohydrates and 14 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 190 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 14 g |
| Fat | 14 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 9 g |
| Sodium | 480 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
