Grilled Vegetable Tostadas

Grilled Vegetable Tostadas start with grilled seasoned vegetables served on fried tortillas and topped with tomato salsa, fresh guacamole, and a drizzle of hot sauce. It is a delicious summer meal. With the proliferation of vegetables in the summer, grilling is a great way to bring out their best. The combination of vegetables, salsas, and crunchy tortillas is a fulfilling meatless way to enjoy the bounties of a summer garden or farmers market!

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I like this recipe with eggplant, zucchini, and sweet onion. You can also add other vegetables to your choosing, like portabellas, peppers, or even grilled corn. Use whatever combination of vegetables you enjoy or have on hand that will hold up to grilling.

The part of this recipe that I recommend you do not skip is salting the vegetables beforehand to draw out the water. This is especially useful for eggplant, which can become mushy and sometimes bitter when you cook them without doing this. The trick is to take your sliced vegetables, salt them on both sides, then put in a colander for 30 minutes to an hour to draw the moisture out of the eggplant. Once beads of water appear on the vegetables, I rinse the salt off of them and pat them dry with paper towels. This makes a big difference in texture and is best for grilling because it prevents sticking on the grill. I do this with the zucchini as well.

Flavoring the vegetables in Mexican spices before grilling is done by creating a chili oil with various seasonings, and dipping the sliced vegetables in the oil before grilling.

Grilling Vegetables Without Fear

• Oil the vegetables to prevent sticking
• Slice vegetables lengthwise to create the largest surface area for grilling
• Season the vegetables before grilling, or use a marinade
• Grill directly on medium-high heat, 45 degrees to the grill grates to get nice grill marks.
• Grill times depend on the heat of the grill and the thickness of the vegetable. They are done once they have turned a golden brown, and have the requisite grill marks on both sides

While you can buy fried tortillas for tostadas already made to save time, I also recommend frying your own tortillas for a fresher, crispier tostada. This is also a thrifty food tip for using up your old tortillas.

Assembling the Ultimate Tostada

• Place fried tortillas on a serving plate
• Arrange grilled vegetables on top of the tortillas
• Top with salsa, guacamole, and drizzle with hot sauce to taste
• Garnish with chopped cilantro and lime

There is no cheese in these Grilled Vegetable Tostadas. Therefore, if you use tortillas made without lard, it is entirely vegan. It is also entirely satisfying. Even I, the cheese lover that I am, did not feel the need to add cheese. This is a great way to turn your summer vegetables into a delicious meal that could become your new favorite!