16 Fruits and Veggies to Grill This Summer
Have a healthy cookout with these tips.
— -- intro: Grilled hamburgers and hotdogs scream summer, but did you know that you can fire up your backyard barbecue for much more than just meat?
Grilling provides a smoky twist to seasonal produce—zucchini, asparagus, and even fruits such as watermelon and peaches.
Read on for 16 foods that taste amazing grilled, plus healthy grilling recipes for each.
quicklist: 1category: Fruits and Veggies to Grill This Summertitle: Eggplanturl:text: Forget eggplant parmesan. When grilled, eggplant becomes crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside—no breading or cheese necessary. Slice your eggplant in 1-inch thick slices and coat with extra-virgin olive oil. Place on your grill rack, cooking for 6 minutes per side or until eggplant is tender.
quicklist: 2category: Fruits and Veggies to Grill This Summertitle: Peachesurl:text: Grilling peaches deepens their natural sweetness, and it's oh-so-easy to do: simply slice them in half, remove the pits, and put them facedown on a grill that's been preheated to high. Remove when golden brown, about 5 minutes. Try brushing them with honey, sprinkling them with cinnamon, or topping them with Greek yogurt.
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quicklist: 3category: Fruits and Veggies to Grill This Summertitle: Pineappleurl:text: Grilling pineapple cuts the fruit's acidity and turns it into a treat that's as sweet as candy. Cut your pineapple into wedges or rings and place it on the grill for about 3 minutes per side. Bonus: a half-cup of pineapple provides about 20% of your daily need for vitamin C.
quicklist: 4category: Fruits and Veggies to Grill This Summertitle: Asparagusurl:text: Lightly charred asparagus tossed in a little bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper makes for an incredibly easy and nutritious summer side dish. Place directly on the grill over high heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Asparagus is rich in vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin E.
quicklist: 5category: Fruits and Veggies to Grill This Summertitle: Tempehurl:text: Vegetarians, listen up! Leave the processed veggie burgers in the freezer and try nutty, tangy tempeh instead. Made from soybeans, tempeh contains about 15 grams of protein per half-cup and is hardy enough to stand up to the grill. Preheat your grill to medium, place the tempeh directly on the grill for about 10 minutes, flipping once, or until it's brown and cooked through.
quicklist: 6category: Fruits and Veggies to Grill This Summertitle: Pizzaurl:text: If you're craving pizza on a hot day but can't stand the idea of turning on your oven or shelling out for delivery, why not toss a homemade pie onto your grill? Grilling gives the dough a smoky flavor that'll remind you of the fancy kind cooked in a woodfired oven.
There are several methods for grilling pizza. Here's an easy option from Pillsbury: Cut a large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil and grease it with cooking spray. Spread your pizza dough (store-bought or homemade works) onto the foil. Coat your grill rack with canola oil. Invert the dough onto the grill rack and peel away the foil. Cook until the bottom is golden brown, and then flip the crust using a large spatula and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove the crust from the grill, and add your toppings. Use a pizza peel or a large spatula to put the pizza back onto the grill until the cheese is melted.
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