Summer tips for grilling fruits and vegetables
Summer is officially here and for most of us it’s grilling season. Yet it doesnt mean it has to be all about meat. There is…
Summer is officially here and for most of us it’s grilling season. Yet it doesnt mean it has to be all about meat. There is always plenty of room for fresh fruits and vegetables. And one of the best ways to fully enjoy and connect with the season is adding more seasonal fruits and vegetables to any recipes and dishes.
Something, I bet, is really easy for all of us to do in summer since we are naturally craving to hydrate more, eat lighter and healthier, and by adding more fruits and vegetables we are easily hydrating and nurturing our bodies while supporting it to manage the high temperatures and heat.
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Some ways to do that if by eating them fresh and raw, making smoothies (so in vogue nowadays), or even a sweeter alternative: by grilling them. And I have to say, theres something very special about using the grill to cook fruits and vegetables in season. Many might think that only corn and peppers are allowed. But the list gets as long as you allow it to be. Anything goes.
What to grill
Figs
Bananas
Peaches
Pineapple
Apples
Pears
Strawberries
Mangoes
Plums
Kale
Collard greens
Romaine lettuce
Watermelon
Melon
Cantaloupe
Tomatoes
Corn
Sweet peppers
Eggplant
Okra
Zucchini
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Onions
Asparagus
Mushroom
Fennel
Anything else like carrots, beets, potatoes, sweet potatoes, yucca, plantain, artichokes and any other ingredient without that much water that would require extra cooking, I would lightly steam them first and then finish them on the grill for extra color, flavor and texture.
If you dont want to steam them, then wrap them in aluminum foil with some olive oil and herbs and put them on top of the grill. When close to getting a softer and tender texture, place them on the grill to add those sexy grill marks and extra smoky flavor. When it comes to fruit, I like serving them with a Malbec-Balsamic reduction. Or just plain balsamic reduction (you can also purchase it at any specialty store.)
You see now that you can literally grill anything you want. Just be mindful of the cooking times, water content, size and texture.
Grilling fruits and vegetables doesnt involve much science, but to ensure you a delicious success here are some grilling tips: