5 Ingredients or Fewer

Charred Scallion Gremolata

by:
April 21, 2014
5
2 Ratings
Photo by Mark Weinberg
  • Makes 1 cup
Author Notes

I first made this dish with a group of friends celebrating an approximation of Easter we had dubbed First Annual Feaster. While I did not really grow up celebrating Easter, I did have it in my mind that lamb wanted serving -- so I decided to make cumin lamb accompanied by a couple sauces.

I was searching for a sauce to serve with my lamb. I love how gremolata can brighten any dish and, being obsessed with charring all things citrus, decided to make a gremolata from charred lemons, toasty garlic, and scallions. Grilling mellowed and sweetened the green onions and garlic, and transformed the bitter lemon peel into something extraordinary. I mixed a pile of fresh parsley in at the end and had exactly what I was after. The gremolata had the sour, sweet, bitter, fresh flavor I was after, and was a great success! —savorthis

Test Kitchen Notes

This sauce hits all the flavor notes -- salty, smoky, sour, and slightly sweet. It's a wonderful accompaniment to grilled meats and fish, and is a great recipe to have in your summer repertoire. —The Editors

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1 bunch scallions (about 6)
  • 3 small lemons
  • 2 garlic cloves, skins on
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons parsley, chopped
Directions
  1. Cut off the roots of the onions, and trim about an inch off their greens. Cut the lemons into thin slices, reserving the ends for another use. Toss the onions, lemon slices, and garlic with the oil, salt, and pepper.
  2. Grill until charred on all sides, being careful not to burn the garlic beyond a dark brown. Let cool in a bowl.
  3. Peel the garlic and mince. Finely chop the lemons and slice the green onions. Mix everything together with the parsley. Add salt if desired.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Amy Chung
    Amy Chung
  • Sarah Jampel
    Sarah Jampel
  • QueenSashy
    QueenSashy
  • fearlessem
    fearlessem
Co-Owner/Designer @ Where Wood Meets Steel-Custom Furniture

4 Reviews

Amy C. September 20, 2016
I grilled mine on my cast iron indoor because I ran out of gas on my grill and still turned out beautiful!! I also added some grilled asparagus to make it more substantial like a small salad.
 
Sarah J. June 27, 2016
Has anyone tried roasting this rather than grilling it?
 
fearlessem July 3, 2014
YUM -- what a great idea, as I love roasted lemons, and would imagine grilling works to similar effect. Can't wait to make this!
 
QueenSashy June 20, 2014
oh my - I want this gremolata like right now.