Grilled Spring Onions with Romesco Sauce

Grilled Spring Onions with Romesco Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 head garlic
• 2 ripe tomatoes
• 3/4 cup  blanched almonds, toasted
• 1/2 cup  hazelnuts, toasted and skinned
• 4 small day-old baguette slices
• 1/2 cup  extra-virgin olive oil, or as needed
• 2 Tbs. red wine vinegar, or as needed
• 1 tsp. pimentón dulce or paprika
• Fine sea salt
• 24 spring onions, each about 1 inch  wide at the bottom
• Crusty bread for serving

Directions

1. Prepare a hot fire in a charcoal grill or preheat a gas grill on high. Grill the garlic, turning until browned on all sides, 13 to 15 minutes. Grill the tomatoes, turning once, until the skins are browned and wrinkled, about 5 minutes. Let the garlic and tomatoes cool, then peel.

2. Meanwhile, place the spring onions on the grill and cook, turning occasionally, until the outer skins have blackened and shriveled, about 8 minutes. Wrap the onions in parchment paper and let stand until cool enough to handle, about 5 minutes.

3. Put the peeled garlic and tomatoes, nuts and baguette slices in a food processor and pulse to combine. Mix in the olive oil, vinegar, pimentón and salt to taste. The finished sauce should be thick but not dry; add more oil and vinegar if needed. Divide among individual dipping bowls and set aside. (The sauce will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days; bring to room temperature before serving.)

4. Transfer the onions to a large serving platter or a wooden board. Serve with crusty bread. Invite diners to peel the onions with their fingers and dip them into the romesco sauce. Serves 4.