Grilling Vegetables


 
 
As an adult, probably one of my favorite things about summer is the abundance of super fresh, gorgeous vegetables. Farmers markets literally make the hair on the back of my neck stand up in excitement, and I love opening the kitchen pantry and fridge to see all those beautiful bright colors ready to eat.
We are big grillers here at my house. In my humble opinion, everything tastes better grilled (especially fruit), and its this time of year when grilled vegetables start showing up in literally everything I cook. I do not even begin to think that I am an expert on grilling vegetables, but I wanted to talk about them because of how good and familiar they are to me. Last night, I thought the cupboards were bare and that there was an emergency trip to the market in my future. When l spotted several vegetables that had never made their way onto the table that week, I started up the grill. They were perhaps not at the tippy top peak of their freshness, but grilling takes care of that. Zucchini, shallots, red bell peppers, and eggplant…
 
I brushed a little olive oil on each side, seasoned with a bit of salt and pepper, then put them the grill (fully pre-heated on high, turned down slightly when I put on the veggies). I have friends who use those special wire grill pans that hold the veggies in it as they grill, but I never have and have never had a problem (cut the pieces large enough so they don’t fall through the grill). A few minutes on each side, and you’re done. (I prefer to grill the shallots whole, to a dark char on the outside, making them soft and sweet on the inside.)

 
I found some slivered almonds, which I lightly toasted, then made a salad with radishes and grape tomatoes (no cheese, boo!). The grilled vegetables that were left over will show up wraps, sandwiches, and salads we’ll eat over the next few days.

And then it will be time to grill again.

19 Comments
  • The Antidote

    April 28, 2009 at 2:03 am

    Oooh, summer food. Just what we need after a winter of soups, stews and roasts. Yum!

  • Kendall Micayla

    April 28, 2009 at 4:42 am

    Those veggies are so filled with color-they are so pretty!

  • Lisa Clarke

    April 28, 2009 at 5:51 am

    As I sit here on my back patio sipping my morning coffee, and looking at my busted grill, I am more and more convinced that it needs replacing this year.
    Farmers market season doesn’t start up until mid-June in New Jersey. That feels so far away…

  • Anna

    April 28, 2009 at 6:21 am

    we grill this exact combo of veggies drizzled with balsamic vinegar and then chop them all up, throw them in a bowl with penne pasta and crumbled feta. our ultimate cool summer dish.

  • Kara

    April 28, 2009 at 7:34 am

    Your pictures are beautiful and they are making me jealous – our farmer’s market doesn’t open until May 20th. I’m counting down the days!

  • Mariah

    April 28, 2009 at 7:46 am

    Yummm! I just linked to this post…

  • Vanessa

    April 28, 2009 at 10:07 am

    yum, grilling veggies is one of our fav things too. have you ever done green beans? you need one of those grilling baskets but it is worth it. so yummy!

  • emily

    April 28, 2009 at 1:26 pm

    love. grilled. vegetables. (and i just noticed those shoes again in your banner! what are they? please.)

  • Alison

    April 29, 2009 at 8:49 am

    I have never tried grilled vegetables before, but they sound and look wonderful. To be honest, the main reason I have never tried them before is because I have only recently started liking vegetables (I eat like a picky child, how embarrassing!). Now if only the weather would cooperate….

  • Renna

    April 29, 2009 at 11:34 am

    That picture is making me hungry. We grill a lot, too, and I’m looking forward to the plentiful supply of fresh veggies this summer. I’ve never attempted grilling fruit before. I’ll have to remember to try that!

  • rid

    April 29, 2009 at 11:46 am

    Yummy! I love vegetables… Congratulations to the winners
    Saludos

  • Junie Moon

    April 29, 2009 at 12:40 pm

    Grilled vegetables are the best. There’s something so magical about any foods cooked outside; somehow, they always taste better.
    Congratulations to your winners; what a great treat for them.

  • Kristine B

    April 29, 2009 at 1:19 pm

    Oh yum! Not quite grilling time here, but I can’t wait. My favorite is grilled veggies on pizza…tho salad looks delish!

  • AngieK

    April 30, 2009 at 4:57 am

    Oh yum! I’m definitely going to have to try that. Thanks again for the book 🙂

  • april

    April 30, 2009 at 11:23 am

    I have never thought about grilling veggies. We just bought a new grill so I think there will be some chared veggies in my house real soon. Thanks for the inspiration.

  • Bean

    May 1, 2009 at 4:21 pm

    My book arrived yesterday already, thank you so much for hosting such a fun giveaway! I will take a couple of photos & post a review of it on my blog, it’s lovely! <3

  • blair/wisecraft

    May 1, 2009 at 4:51 pm

    Oh great! I’m so glad the book arrived so quickly. Enjoy it, its a good one!

  • Canela

    May 8, 2009 at 2:31 pm

    I see you have Stetson dishes, the Swiss Chalet/Cozette pattern. Do you know if they are lead-free? Dishwasher safe?
    I’ve just inherited a set and was wondering.
    Love your blog . . . a very creative family!

  • blair/wisecraft

    May 8, 2009 at 5:29 pm

    Canela, I have done some research and nothing has come up about this dish
    pattern containing lead, and mine have gone through the dishwasher
    beautifully. Do not put them in the microwave though.

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