Grilled Summer Vegetables
Now that summer is in full swing, we’ve been grilling at least a couple times a week. I love how little preparation this often requires, and even more how little cleanup there is afterwards! We have a charcoal grill, which does mean it takes a bit longer to “preheat” than when I cook inside. Even if I wanted to spend the money though, I wouldn’t give up my charcoal grill for a gas one — I love the flavor that the charcoal smoke gives to the food, and it’s just never the same on a gas grill. Yes, I know that smokiness is probably giving me cancer, but really, what doesn’t? And it sure does taste good!
These grilled vegetables are a great easy side for some kind of grilled meat. In this case we served them with the sausage left over from the sausage ravioli we made a couple weeks ago. (No, they didn’t sit in our fridge two weeks before we ate them. I’m just a little behind on posting…) They take less than five minutes of preparation (other than the grilling), and what can taste more like summer than zucchini and squash, eaten al fresco?
Grilled Summer Vegetables
I used a couple zucchini, a pattypan squash, and an onion, but really any vegetable that’s reasonably sturdy would work great. Other ideas include asparagus, eggplant, or bell peppers. Let us know what other vegetables you like on the grill in the comments!
2 pounds or so of vegetables such as zucchini, squash, and onions
olive oil
1 lemon
salt and pepper
1/4 c shaved Parmigiano
handful of basil leaves
Cut vegetables into about 1/4″ thick slices. Drizzle with olive oil, squeeze the lemon over them, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Let sit while the grill preheats. Cut the basil leaves crosswise into thin strips (“chiffonade”).
Grill (preferably with charcoal!) over medium high heat, covered, about 6 minutes on a side. After you’ve flipped them and they’re a couple minutes from being done, sprinkle with Parmigiano and continue to grill until the cheese is melted and golden.
Sprinkle with basil after pulling them off the grill. Garnish with lemon wedges, if desired.
Tags: grilled, onion, Side Dish, squash, summer, Vegetable, vegetarian, zucchini
