Vegetables roasted on the grill and seasoned 

Here are a few tips for preparing the perfect grilled vegetables. Whether it's with family or friends, on the balcony or in the garden, there is no end of summer that goes by without an outdoor barbecue. And it is precisely on these occasions that, next to meat or fish, it is good to leave some space on the grill for them too: vegetables. Zucchini, eggplant, peppers and tomatoes... The title of best side dish of the season is won by them, grilled vegetables, particularly dear even to vegetarian friends. They are colorful, light, fragrant and, a detail that never hurts, very easy to prepare. Just follow a few precautions to avoid scorching them and try, on the contrary, to preserve their flavor and texture. Plus, some ideas on how to season them could make this year's grilled vegetables even tastier than last year's. Wanna Bet?

Whether you choose to use the classic barbecue, the oven with grill function or a cast iron griddle, the secret to perfect cooking starts first: cutting the vegetables. Each one is different, but the general rule is: slices are neither too thick nor too thin, so as not to risk blackening them or dirtying the flavor with the aftertaste of burnt. Zucchini, for example, is preferable to cut them not into slices, but into vertical slices. The same goes for carrots, while for eggplant and tomatoes you have freedom of choice. Cooking times also vary: peppers and potatoes will take longer than zucchini and eggplant, so the advice is to cook them at different times, naturally giving priority to the former.

Not to be underestimated for a tasty and even more fragrant result. Before proceeding with cooking the vegetables, prepare a light marinade with which to brush the various slices. Here are three ideas to make it happen:

Marinade based on oil, minced garlic and parsley, with the optional addition of other chopped aromatic herbs, such as mint, and chili;

Marinade with oil, pepper and a few tablespoons of balsamic vinegar;

Marinade with oil, minced garlic, lemon juice and soy sauce.

Let the vegetables marinate for an hour or two: you will enhance the flavor without altering it. The only rule: it is forbidden to add salt before or during cooking, allowed only at the end.

Do you love your barbecue but don't want to stare at it intensely for minutes while waiting for the vegetables to cook? Then you just have to give it a chance to bake in foil, ideal especially for potatoes, sweet potatoes or, in general, thicker vegetables. It's very simple: 

Take aluminum foil and sprinkle it with a drizzle of oil;

Place the vegetables cut into more or less thick slices on top;

Fold the aluminum over and seal the edges to create a package;

Place the foil on the grill, cover and wait about ten minutes * but, as mentioned above, each vegetable has its own cooking time.

No grilled vegetable dish is complete without an accompanying sauce. Parsley sauce, for example, goes well not only with meat, but also with grilled vegetables, and three ingredients are enough to prepare it: oil, salt, garlic, chopped parsley. Fragrant and ready in a few minutes. As well as the yoghurt sauce, the queen of freshness, which goes particularly well with fish * but not only. Again, simplicity is at home: plain (or Greek) yogurt, chopped garlic and parsley, lemon juice, salt and pepper. And there you have it.

What if they are left over? Here are the tips for storing them

If you've prepared a hearty grill and have leftover vegetables, it means it's time to stir-fry them with pasta * on the other hand, they don't keep in the fridge for more than two days. Fusilli, farfalle, orecchiette... You choose the format, but for an extra touch of flavor add a generous sprinkling of pepper and salted ricotta instead of Parmesan cheese. Another solution, faster but equally tasty, is to make delicious rolls, enriching them with cheese, cooked prosciutto or other cold cuts. The ideal appetizer during the hottest days, especially if served in the company of a sparkling wine. Now that grilled vegetables have no more secrets for you, all you have to do is light the embers. A good impression with guests is guaranteed. Buon Appetito!

Perfect for a barbecue with friends, meat and vegetable skewers make everyone agree! Find out how to best prepare them with my tips!