Perfect Grilled Vegetables

Eggplant

We used American (purple) and striped "graffiti" eggplant. Halve eggplant lengthwise; cut into 1- to 1 1/2-inch wedges. Brush cut sides with olive oil. Grill, one cut side down, over medium-high heat, until just golden and marked in spots, about 3 minutes. Transfer to cooler part of grill (medium heat). Grill, other cut side down, until marked, 5 to 6 minutes. Grill, skin sides down, until soft, 5 to 7 minutes. Season with salt.

Perfect Grilled Vegetables

Recipes That Use Grilled Eggplant

• Grilled Eggplant with Balsamic Vinegar, Feta, and Baguette
• Grilled Eggplant with Pomegranate Dressing
• Grilled Eggplant with Yogurt Sauce

Perfect Grilled Vegetables

Bell Peppers

Grill whole peppers over high heat, turning occasionally, until skins are charred in spots, 15 to 18 minutes total. Remove peppers from grill, and let cool slightly. Peel away charred skins using paper towels, and discard. Halve peppers, and discard seeds and stems.

Perfect Grilled Vegetables

Recipes that Use Grilled Bell Peppers

• Herbed Chicken with Grilled Bell Peppers
• Grilled Peppers and Goat Cheese Salad
• Roasted and Marinated Bell Peppers

Perfect Grilled Vegetables

Portobello Mushrooms

Marinate mushrooms; brush off excess. Grill mushrooms, gill sides up, over medium-low heat, with grill covered, until marked and softened, about 15 minutes. Flip; grill until cooked through (do not char gills), 1 to 2 minutes.

Perfect Grilled Vegetables

Recipes that Use Grilled Mushrooms

• Grilled Polenta and Balsamic Mushrooms
• Balsamic Portobello Burgers
• Grilled Vegetable Tostadas

Perfect Grilled Vegetables

Asparagus

Use spears that are no thicker than 1/2 inch. Bunch together 6 or 7 trimmed spears: Thread a skewer through upper third of spears, gently turning skewer to keep spears from breaking. Repeat at bottom. Brush with olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Grill over medium-high heat, turning once, until marked and just tender, about 9 minutes total. Serve with grilled lemon halves, if desired.

Perfect Grilled Vegetables

Recipes for Grilled Asparagus

• Grilled Pizza with Asparagus and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
• Grilled Asparagus Wrap
• Grilled Asparagus with Caramelized Shallot Vinaigrette

Perfect Grilled Vegetables

Red and Yellow Onions

Cut onions into 3/8- to 1/2-inch-thick slices. Thread a skewer horizontally through one slice or several. Brush generously with olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Grill onions over low heat, with grill covered, until marked and softened, about 15 minutes. Flip; grill until cooked through, 15 to 18 minutes.

Perfect Grilled Vegetables

Recipes that Use Grilled Onions

• Grilled Pork Chops and Onions
• Grilled Onion Salad
• Grilled Mixed Peppers and Onions

Perfect Grilled Vegetables

Zucchini and Yellow Summer Squash

Cut zucchini and yellow summer squash lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Brush with olive oil. Grill slices over medium-high heat, turning once, until marked and tender, 6 to 8 minutes total. Season with salt and pepper.

Perfect Grilled Vegetables

Recipes that Use Grilled Squash

• Panzanella Kebabs
• Grilled Garden Salad
• Grilled Chicken Cutlets with Squash and Tomatoes

Perfect Grilled Vegetables

Corn

Remove husks and silk; discard. Brush cobs with olive oil. Season with salt. Arrange cobs on grill, parallel with the grates. Grill cobs over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until slightly charred and kernels are tender, about 15 minutes total. Serve with regular or compound butter.

Perfect Grilled Vegetables

Recipes that Use Grilled Corn

• Spinach and Grilled Corn Salad
• Tomatoes Stuffed with Grilled Corn Salad
• Grilled Chicken and Corn Lettuce Wraps

Perfect Grilled Vegetables

Boiling Potatoes

Cover potatoes with cold, salted water in a pan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer until just tender; drain. Halve (or cut into wedges), and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with spice mix, or season with salt and pepper. Toss well. Thread onto skewers. Grill potatoes, cut sides down, over medium-high heat, turning once, until marked and tender, about 10 minutes total.

Perfect Grilled Vegetables

Recipes for Grilled Potatoes

• Grilled Potato Wedges
• Garlic-Marinated Chicken Cutlets with Grilled Potatoes
• Grilled Steak with Blue Cheese Potatoes

Perfect Grilled Vegetables

Leeks

Trim leeks. Halve lengthwise; rinse well. Add to a pan of boiling salted water. Reduce heat. Simmer until slightly softened, 8 to 10 minutes; drain and pat dry. Brush generously with olive oil. Grill, cut sides down, over medium-high heat, with grill covered, until marked and softened, about 6 minutes. Flip; grill until soft, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Perfect Grilled Vegetables

Recipes that Use Grilled Leeks

• Grilled Swordfish with Olive Pesto
• Grilled Leeks Vinaigrette
• Grilled Mushrooms and Leeks

Perfect Grilled Vegetables

Tomatoes

Halve tomatoes lengthwise. Brush cut sides with olive oil. Place a thin slice of garlic on each cut side, if desired. Grill tomatoes, cut sides up, over medium-high heat, without flipping, until slightly charred and flesh is soft and heated through, 10 to 12 minutes total. Season tomatoes with salt and pepper.

Perfect Grilled Vegetables

Recipes that Use Grilled Tomatoes

• Grilled Garden Salad
• Grilled Tomatoes with Yogurt
• Grilled Tomato Bruschetta