It’s officially the season for cooking and eating outside — which coincides perfectly with bright, vibrant summer produce that makes its way into local stores. But what’s the best way to make the most of it all?
We asked our friends at Whole Foods Market for suggestions on how to enjoy more vegetables on the grill. They did not disappoint with gorgeous veggies to grill this summer! Check out some of our favorite veggie picks below for your grill, plus recipes to help you make the most of them.
lettuce
Yes, lettuce. You’ll get deep flavor, and crisp varieties like romaine will stay crunchy when grilled briefly at higher heat. Slice heads in half and grill them just long enough to get a kiss of char on each side. Lettuce relatives like radicchio and endive grill well too.
Broccoli
The flowery tops of broccoli spears are perfect for catching marinades and getting perfectly crispy while the stems turn soft and sweet. Make sure to keep florets big so they don’t drop through grill grates, or use a grilling basket. Grilled broccoli holds its own as a veggie side, and it’s a welcome addition to pizza and summer pasta salads, too.
Eggplant
The grill turns eggplant sweet, smoky and meltingly tender. Sliced, halved or whole small eggplants don’t need much more than a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. They also make a great canvas for other flavors, like salty feta cheese, sweet grilled peppers and fresh tomatoes.
Corn
Summer sweet corn turns nutty and roast-y when grilled. It also turns tender without going mushy for the perfect corn texture. Make sure you rotate ears of corn frequently so it cooks evenly and doesn’t char or dry out.
Vidalia Onions
Grilling brings out vegetables’ natural sweetness, and in-season summer Vidalias (one type of sweet onion that, by law, can only be grown in 20 south Georgia counties) bring a lot of sweetness to the table. There’s a subtle transformation that happens with smoke and caramelization to coax out their amazing flavor.
Try it: Grilled Strip Steaks with Spicy Onion and Tomato Salad
Fennel
Super crisp and anise-flavored when raw, fennel turns tender, sweet and mellow once it’s grilled. Pair it with heartier flavors, like grilled meat or seafood.
Mushrooms
Hearty umami-packed mushrooms are one of the best meat substitutes for grilling. White button or cremini mushrooms are great in kabobs, big portobellos are hearty and satisfying — and they’re a ringer for your usual burger patties.
Sweet Potatoes
Available year-round, these potatoes get a great toasty-sweet flavor from the grill. Like other very dense vegetables, potatoes benefit from a short pre-cooking before grilling.
Tomatoes
From cherry tomatoes skewered on kabobs to full-size heirlooms, the warm juiciness and complex smoky flavors from grilled tomatoes is one of summer’s greatest flavors. Keep a close eye on them at the grill so that they don’t overcook — they can go from plump to deflated quickly.
Whole Foods Market seeks out the finest natural and organic products available while maintaining the strictest quality standards in the industry. They have an unshakeable commitment to sustainable agriculture and a desire to bring excitement and fun to groceries. Stay inspired by following Whole Foods Market Canada on Facebook and find your nearest store here.
Wondering what to do with the kids in Metro Vancouver this weekend, or what to make for dinner? You can find it at HealthyFamilyLiving.com! From the Sunshine Coast to the Fraser Valley, we’re the best online resource for busy parents looking for practical tips for healthy, active, sustainable living. For the latest on family events, outdoor adventures, birthday parties, camps & classes and kid-approved recipes, follow us on Facebook and sign-up for our parent-approved e-newsletter!
