Delicious Vegetarian Grilling Ideas

By Sheryl Eisenberg
Author, This Green Life

The All New American Barbecue: Not your father’s menu

Barbecues have long been the epitome of summertime fun. At these carefree get-togethers, so unlike their wintertime counterparts, you come as you are and do as you like—except when it comes to food. For barbecues are traditionally meaty affairs centered on burgers, hot dogs, chicken or ribs. At least, they used to be.

Now, a new tradition is emerging at Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day gatherings. Pure grilled vegetarian fare is showing up, with environmental and health benefits for all.

If you think of vegetarian grilling as second best, think again. The smokiness that turns a good burger into a great one performs the same magic with plant-based foods.

Practically anything that can be broiled can be grilled, provided it is large and firm enough to stay atop the grid. Besides corn in the husk and whole baking potatoes, which have long been barbecue staples, good choices include:

Portobello mushrooms (whole)
Eggplant (horizontally sliced or peeled and vertically sliced)
Zucchini (horizontally or vertically sliced)
Fennel (vertically sliced through the base)
Red peppers (seeded, vertically quartered and flattened)
Beets (horizontally sliced)
Endive or radicchio (sectioned through the base)
Asparagus
Tomatoes (vertically halved if plum tomatoes, horizontally sliced if beefsteak)
Small artichokes (whole and parboiled first for best results)
Small onions such as cippolines (whole)
Medium sized red or Spanish onions (vertically sliced through the base)
Extra firm tofu (“pressed” first)

Preparation is as simple as you want to make it. Marinating the food beforehand for 20-30 minutes augments the flavor and juiciness, but isn’t necessary. Flavorings can be added at the tail end of cooking to great effect. Try garlic, ginger, lemon, lime, orange, teriyaki sauce or barbecue sauce.

Just prior to grilling, salt the food and brush it with oil. Brush or spray the grilling surface as well to prevent sticking. Cooking time varies with the item, but is typically brief.

Midway through cooking, turn the vegetables over, as you would do with meat. Leave them where they are the rest of the time to get those beautiful grilling stripes. For cross-hatching, rotate them once on each side to the left or right by 90 degrees. Large foods, such as whole potatoes, must be moved away from the fire at a certain point so they can cook through on the inside without burning.

When the food is done, dress it with fresh herbs and a drizzle of olive or nut oil and a squeeze of lemon or lime for a flavor boost. Serve it with pesto, salsa, guacamole, hummus or other condiments.

Next: Veggie paninis & grilled fruit