- 1 lb tomatoes, finely chopped (2 1/2 cups)
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
- 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon white-wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3/4 teaspoons salt
- 1 (8-oz) piece smoked cheese such as Gouda, mozzarella, or scamorza
- 4 (3/4-inch-thick) slices country-style bread (from an 8-inch round loaf)
- 2 (1-lb) eggplants
- Prepare grill for cooking over direct heat with medium-hot charcoal (moderate heat for gas); see Grilling Procedureepi:recipelink.
- While grill is heating, stir together tomatoes, parsley, 2 tablespoons oil, vinegar, pepper, and 3/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl.
- With a cheese plane or vegetable peeler, shave half of cheese into thin slices (if using mozzarella, thinly slice half of it with a knife) and cover slices with plastic wrap, reserving remaining piece for another use.
- Brush bread on both sides with 1 tablespoon oil per slice.
- Trim off top and bottom of each eggplant, then cut 2 (1-inch-thick) slices lengthwise from center of each eggplant, discarding remainder. Brush cut sides with 3 tablespoons oil (total) and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- Lightly oil grill rack, then grill eggplant slices (covered only if using a gas grill), loosening with a metal spatula and turning occasionally to avoid overbrowning, until very tender, 8 to 10 minutes. While eggplant is grilling, grill bread, turning over once, until grill marks form, 1 to 2 minutes total, and transfer to a large platter.
- Transfer eggplant to platter, then top evenly with sliced cheese and return to grill and cook, covered for charcoal or gas, without turning, until cheese begins to melt, about 1 minute. Transfer eggplant with spatula to platter.
- Transfer grilled bread to 4 plates and spoon tomato mixture on top. Drizzle evenly with remaining tablespoon oil and top with eggplant. Season with pepper to taste.