Grilled Vegetable Ideas for Summer Barbequing
By Kaw Valley Greenhouses, Inc.
Make healthy grilled vegetables from the garden this summer with these recipes.
Looking for something in particular?
Search our article library:
Need some advice on how to start a beautiful garden? Sign up for our email newsletter, and receive free gardening articles, resources, and container designs to your inbox.
Now that the early vegetable plantings are producing, it’s time to start cooking up some healthy dishes! In the hot summer months, preheating the oven is basically adding a space heater to an already-hot house and, if you don’t have air conditioning, even cooking over the stovetop can be uncomfortable.
The solution? Grilling!
Whether you’re craving savory or sweet, you can use your backyard grill to make all sorts of healthy meals from delicious vegetables right out of your garden! Get your steaks marinating and prep some veggies.
Grilled Skewered Vegetables
Skewered vegetables are delicious and easy to make. They also make a great addition to any meal as a side dish! For veggies such as radishes and Brussels sprouts, which would otherwise be rather difficult to manage on a grill, add a few to a skewer and then coat with olive oil, butter and seasoning, or whatever marinade suits the main course. Grill for 2-3 minutes on each side, then 5 minutes off of direct heat. Serve with dip or as is!
Grill Basket Vegetables
For small veggies that won’t skewer well, investing in a simple grill basket is a must! For cherry tomatoes or green beans, rinse and pat dry, then coat in olive oil, salt and pepper. Keep in mind that saucy marinades might run off and go straight into the grill, so keep it simple. Preheat your grill basket on the grill at around 400 degrees, then transfer your vegetables to the grill. Keep an eye on them and toss when they start to blister. Toss with extra seasoning in a bowl after they’re finished if you want, and just like that you’ve got a tasty, healthy side dish!
Grilled Squash in All Shapes and Sizes
Butternut squash medallions, grilled spaghetti squash rings, and longitudinally cut zucchini—all of these grilled squash are tasty artwork if you get creative! You can also grill a whole squash, cut it in half with the inside facedown, then scoop out the cooked squash and use it as a base for soup or pasta sauce. Such a versatile vegetable is sure to be a crowd favorite however you decide to grill it!
Drying Herbs
Who says fleshy vegetables are the only ones allowed on the grill? If you have fresh herbs that need to be preserved, you can dry them on the barbeque in a few easy steps. Simply pick your herbs and scatter them in a single layer on a baking sheet (one that you’re okay with getting charred on the grill!) and put it on the grill at about 200 degrees for a couple of hours or until the herbs are crunchy and fully dehydrated. Crush them to the desired size and store them in a glass jar to use for seasoning marinades, other vegetables, sauces, and more.
Grilled Romaine Heads
If you want to keep up with the restaurant trends and wow your dinner guests, try grilled romaine heads with a homemade caesar dressing! Simply cut the head longitudinally and then grill the open face briefly for a light char. Grilling leafy vegetables adds a smoky flavor and it looks very cool on a plate. Drizzle dressing over the grilled side, top with crouton crumbs, Parmigiano Reggiano, and bacon crumbles, and enjoy!
Zucchini Muffins on the BBQ
Are you craving something sweet? Do you suddenly have way too many zucchinis from your garden that you need to somehow get rid of? You can make zucchini muffins on the barbeque by using a rectangular, metal cake pan placed over the grill upside down! The heat from the grill will fill the pan and will evenly distribute the heat. Find your favorite zucchini muffin recipe (trust us, vegetables in muffins can really work!), prep the batter, and fill up a muffin tin! Then, simply preheat your grill until it’s consistent at the right temperature, place your muffin tray on the upside down baking pan and bake as instructed.
If you are interested in what we are up to in our test gardens as we get ready for the next season, check us out on Facebook!
Need some advice on how to start a beautiful garden? Sign up for our email newsletter, and receive free gardening articles, resources, and container designs to your inbox.