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Spanish-Style Grilled Vegetables with Breadcrumb Picada

This vibrant vegan dish brings the bold, smoky flavours of the Mediterranean straight to your table. Spanish-style grilled vegetables with breadcrumb picada is a celebration of seasonal produce, featuring charred red peppers, tender aubergines and scorched courgettes. What elevates this recipe is the 'picada'—a traditional Spanish finishing touch. Here, we use golden, garlicky panko breadcrumbs to provide a satisfying crunch that contrasts beautifully with the softened, smoky vegetables and a sharp sherry vinegar dressing.

Perfect as a light summer lunch or a sophisticated side dish for a barbecue, this vegetable platter is as nutritious as it is beautiful. The combination of fresh oregano and flat-leaf parsley adds a fragrant lift, making it a wonderful plant-based option for outdoor entertaining. Serve it warm or at room temperature alongside crusty bread to soak up the herb-infused oils.

Continue reading below

Ingredients for Spanish-Style Grilled Vegetables with Breadcrumb Picada

  • 3 large red peppers (about 675g), stemmed, seeded, quartered

  • 4 large Japanese aubergines (about 575g), trimmed, cut lengthwise into 3 slices

  • 4 medium green or yellow courgette (preferably 2 of each

  • about 450g ), trimmed, cut lengthwise into 1/3-inch-thick slices

  • Extra-virgin olive oil (for grilling)

  • 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

  • 1/2 teaspoons dried crushed red pepper

  • 60g panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)*

  • 2 tablespoons Sherry wine vinegar

  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano

  • *Available in the Asian foods section of some supermarkets and at Asian markets.

How to make Spanish-Style Grilled Vegetables with Breadcrumb Picada

Prepare barbecue (medium heat). Arrange vegetables on baking sheets. Brush with oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill peppers, skin side down and without turning, until blackened and blistered, moving occasionally for even cooking, about 10 minutes. Enclose in plastic bag. Let stand until skins loosen, about 30 minutes. Grill aubergines and courgette until charred and tender, turning and rearranging for even browning, 5 to 6 minutes. Place on foillined baking sheet. Peel peppers. Transfer to sheet with aubergines and courgette.

Heat 45ml olive oil in medium skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and crushed red pepper; stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add breadcrumbs; stir until golden, about 3 minutes. Season breadcrumb picada to taste with salt; scrape into small bowl.

Place vinegar in another small bowl; whisk in 3 tablespoons oil. Mix in parsley and oregano. Season to taste with salt.

Arrange vegetables on platter. Spoon herb dressing over; sprinkle with breadcrumbs.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 17 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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