Cookout season will soon be in full swing, and the cookout staples of hamburgers, hotdogs, and brats will make their way to the grill this summer. An often overlooked use for the grill is fresh, organic produce. Adding those items to the grill is just as simple as adding meat and can often add the “wow” factor to your cookout.
The first thing that typically comes to mind when you think of grilling vegetables is the tried and true kabob. Let’s be honest, they are easy to prepare and don’t take much guess work. Simply apply those pattern making skills from kindergarten to create a tasty assortment of veggies. However, if you’re feeling a little adventurous, try one of the following ways to spice up your grilling skills!
A great grilling accessory to have on hand is a vegetable grilling pan which can sit right on the grill racks. There are lots of different varieties to choose from, but in all honesty they do the same thing. These pans make grilling vegetables like asparagus and zucchini incredibly easy. Simply cut the zucchini into uniformed slices, coat in a little olive oil and lay in a single layer on the pan. To prepare the asparagus, brush olive oil on all of the pieces and lay across the pan in a single layer. Place the pan on the grill, being sure to flip the vegetables over halfway through cooking.
Maybe you need to start small and still have the comfort of your kabobs. That’s ok, not everyone is ready to jump straight in. A great use for kabob skewers is using baby potatoes that have been coated with a little bit of olive oil and rosemary. The potatoes reach the perfect level of crispness on the outside and heavenly goodness on the inside.
Another great way to spice up your cookout is with grilled cauliflower. If you haven’t discovered the versatility of cauliflower you’re missing out. From replacing rice to pizza crust, cauliflower is a simple, healthy way to replace certain carbs and grains. Simply cut the cauliflower into slices, season, and grill on both sides.
All of this fun and variety doesn’t just have to be for vegetables. Certain fruits, such as pineapple, grill very well. Simply remove the outer layer and core of the pineapple, and then cut into it slices. It only takes a few minutes on each side to turn it into a tasty sweet treat.
It doesn’t take much to live on the wild side and step up your grill master skills. Adding simple, fresh and organic produce to your cookout can make a world of difference and wow your guests. Be sure to stop over and pick up your fresh produce for your next cookout.
