I did it my way

Pork chop giambotta grilled over fresh oregano.

A common dish on Italian inspired restaurants around here is “Pork Chop Giambotta”.

Giambotta (or sometimes, Ciambotta) is a stew of vegetables (peppers, potatoes, eggplant, tomatoes, etc.) sometimes augmented with a protein (fish or meat). Colloquially, at least when I was growing up, it could also mean “a mess” or “all mixed up”. A reflection, no doubt, of the infinite combinations of ingredients in the so-named dish.

The pork chop giambotta found in local eateries most often is a stew of potatoes and peppers (sometimes onions) seasoned with garlic and herbs (and maybe wine) and then cooked along with a bone-in chop or two. The servings are often quite generous and leftovers come home to be added to a risotto the following day.

There are other versions around that substitute pickled peppers for the sweet bell peppers. (A dish akin to Chicken Murphy). Since I’m the only one in our household who likes the spicier, tangy peppers, we stick to the sweet ones.

Taking advantage of a nice, early spring evening I decided to make version on the grill. It turned out well enough that there weren’t any leftovers. No risotto tomorrow.

Grilled Pork Chop Giambotta

• Four, bone-in, thick cut pork chops
• Four sweet bell peppers (if you can get different colored peppers, it makes a nicer presentation), stemmed, seeded and cut into strips
• One medium onion, thickly sliced (optional)
• 1 ½ pounds small, red skin potatoes (or any potato you have on hand)
• Olive oil
• Two cloves of garlic, chopped
• Fresh oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Get your grill going so it’s at high heat.

While the grill is heating up, wash the potatoes. Halve any that are too large so that they are of a uniform size. Cook in microwave on high for about 8 minutes (or boil in salted water until just fork tender. Drain).

In a large bowl, toss the peppers, onion if using, garlic, a tablespoon of fresh oregano leaves, salt and pepper to taste with enough olive oil to coat well. Add the pre-cooked potatoes and mix well. Set aside.

When the grill is ready, season one side of each of the pork chops. Lay two or three sprigs of the fresh oregano on the grill and place a chop, seasoned side down, on the herbs. Repeat for the other chops.

Cook for 3 to 5 minutes (until the chop just starts to sear) and then carefully rotate the chops a quarter turn on the grill. (The timing depends upon the thickness of the chops).

Place the vegetables in a grill basket and place on the grill alongside the chops. Stir, shake or flip often to keep the vegetables from burning.

Season the second side of the shops, add some more oregano sprigs to the grill and flip the chops over onto them.

Cook until desired doneness.  (About 160 degrees) serve over the roasted vegetables and enjoy. Serves 4, but can be scaled up or down to meet your needs.

Tags: giambotta, grilled, peppers, pork chop, potatoes