Grilling Vegetables with Herbs

There's nothing like enjoying the flavor of fresh vegetables whether you grow them yourself or pick them up at the market. One of my favorite ways to cook vegetables is just to put them on a grill. You can't beat the flavor of fresh squash, onions, bell peppers and eggplant when cooked on an open fire. Virtually any vegetable is suitable for grilling and you'll be surprised at how good they taste. I like to make a simple marinade from vinegar, olive oil, a little crushed garlic and what ever herbs I happen to have and of course a little salt and pepper. One of my favorite herbs to use on vegetables is thyme, whether it's fresh or dried it always enhances the flavor. Now once I have prepared the marinade I just quickly coat the vegetables on all sides, top and bottom. Now if you are using small delicate vegetables like mushrooms and new potatoes, you will want to keep them from falling through the grill. Just use a piece of aluminum foil with holes punctured in it. Or if you are lucky enough to find one of these grilling baskets, they are ideal. The open wire mesh of these baskets will allow the smoke to flavor the vegetables and turning them is a snap. I just place larger vegetables like peppers and eggplants directly onto the grate and a medium to hot fire will have them ready before you know it. So you will need to watch them closely, turning them as each side begins to brown. When you already have the grill set up for chicken or steak, try grilling some fresh vegetables to round out the meal. The taste is great. From the garden, I'm Allen Smith. P. Allen Smith Gardens® Copyright 1999 - Hortus, Ltd.