Written by Culinary.net | Contributor
At a barbeque, the meat options such as burgers, steak, chicken, pork chops and brats, often hog the limelight. However, to create a balanced meal, accompaniments in the form of sides and vegetables are essential.
As you prepare for your upcoming grill party in your backyard, embrace the explosion of flavors brought on by the variety of grill-friendly vegetables – peppers, asparagus, onions, tomatoes, zucchini to name a few. Follow these uncomplicated steps to grilling those crunchy vegetables to perfection:
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Start with a hot grill: The primary step is to prepare the grill. It is recommended to have a medium-high to high heat setting for fast, direct grilling. Starting the grill before preparing the vegetables gives you ample time to heat the grill and attend to other tasks.
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Vegetable prep: Your choice of vegetables would determine the kind of preparation required, including trimming or peeling off parts, removing pits and seeds, or chopping as per the recipe requirements.
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Lubricate with olive oil: Tossing your vegetables in a bit of olive oil prior to grilling can have multiple benefits. Not only does it help in keeping the vegetables moist and crisp, but it also helps seasoning like salt and pepper adhere better to the vegetables, rather than slipping off on the grill or pan.
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Use foil packs or skewers: If you prefer your vegetables without the char marks, one option is to place the chopped or diced vegetables in a foil package before placing it on the grill for a softer texture. Alternatively, for smaller chunks, pre-soaked wooden skewers can be used to prevent the vegetables from slipping through the grill grates and also to achieve an enticingly crispy exterior.
- Be mindful of grilling times: Depending on the type of vegetables and the preparation method, the grilling times can vary. But as a general rule of thumb, direct grilling over high heat for 5-10 minutes suffices. The smaller the chunks, the less is the grilling time.
Source: Culinary.net. Photo credits to Getty Images.
