Closed Gates with Pepper Dressing
Based on:
TypeSide dish
Serves4 people
DateSeptember 24, 2026
A vegetable fence with spicy dressing, inspired by the closed White House gate.
Grilled strips of zucchini and eggplant form a closed fence, inspired by the White House gate. The sharp, spicy dressing adds tension. The silhouette refers to the gate that remained shut for the journalist.
Ingredients
- 2 zucchinis
- 2 eggplants
- 1 red chili pepper
- 2 cloves garlic
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
- salt and black pepper
- 1 lemon (zest and juice)
Method
- Slice the zucchinis and eggplants into long, thin strips.
- Brush the strips with 1 tbsp olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
- Grill the strips in a grill pan until marked and soft.
- Make the dressing: finely chop the chili and garlic, mix with 2 tbsp olive oil, vinegar, lemon zest and juice, salt and pepper.
- On each plate, arrange the strips upright and slightly tilted to create a fence (four upright, four leaning).
- Drizzle with the spicy dressing.
Serving notes
- Serve cold or lukewarm so the fence holds its shape.
- Garnish with extra lemon zest for extra sharpness.