Secrets to Great Grilling – Vegetables
The high heat of the fire brings out the natural sugars in vegetables so they actually retain more of their flavor, vitamins and minerals than they do when cooked in water. From asparagus to corn, radicchio to sweet potatoes, vegetables are right at home over a bed of hot coals.
Shopping for Vegetables
In-season vegetables grown close to home are best. Look for vegetables that are plump, moist, and unwrinkled. Follow these guidelines when buying produce.
Asparagus Medium-sized and fat stalks grill better than very thin spears, which can be bitter. Peeling the bottom third of the spears with a vegetable peeler will help them cook evenly.
Season: February through June.
Bitter Greens Select heads of Belgian endive and radicchio that are firm, fat and crisp, with tight, unblemished leaves.
Season: year-round; best in winter.
Carrots, Parsnips and Turnips Choose smooth, firm vegetables that are free of cracks. Look for good color and a sweet smell. Small, mature vegetables have the best flavor.
Season: year-round; best in winter.
Corn Look for firm ears with plump kernels and a lot of creamy colored silk; avoid ears with heavily soiled or slimy fringe. The husks should be bright green and appear moist, not dried out.
Season: May through September.
Eggplants Look for evenly colored eggplants with shiny skin. Cut globe eggplants into slices for the grill; cook Asian eggplants whole or halved.
Season: year-round; peak in late summer.
Fennel Choose fresh bulbs that are smooth and tightly layered with no cracks or bruises. White and pale green, rounded bulbs tend to be more succulent than yellow or thin ones. Grocers sometimes incorrectly label fennel as sweet anise.
Season: year-round; peak from late fall through winter.
Mushrooms Look for mushrooms with relatively clean, firm caps. For portobellos, choose those that are evenly sized and have gills that appear clean, dry and distinct.
Season: year-round; best in late summer and early fall.
Onions Look for onions that are firm with smooth, dry skins. Avoid any with soft spots, particularly at the stem end; green shoots; moldy areas; or moist, wrinkled skins. In the spring, seek out sweet onions such as Maui, Vidalia or Walla Walla.
Season: year-round; sweet varieties in spring and late summer.
Peppers Look for peppers and chilies with smooth skin, as they will be easier to char on the grill than gnarled or grooved peppers. Thin-skinned varieties need a gentler touch so that they don't develop holes while grilling from too-high heat.
Season: year-round; best late summer through fall.
Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes Look for firm, unblemished tubers that are not wrinkled, tinged with green or cracked. Avoid potatoes that have sprouted buds.
Season: year-round; new potatoes best in spring; sweet potatoes best in fall and winter.
Summer Squashes Select zucchini, yellow crooknecks, pattypans and other summer squashes that are mature enough to have full flavor yet small enough to be tender and free of large seeds.
Season: year-round; best June through September.
Tomatoes Select tomatoes only in season, and make sure they are firm but ripe. Heirloom varieties are particularly flavorful. Never store tomatoes in the refrigerator or they will become mealy. A sunny windowsill is a good place to store underripe tomatoes.
Season: June through September.
Winter Squashes Look for firm, unblemished squashes that feel heavy for their size.
Season: some varieties available year-round; widest selection in fall and winter.
Preparing Vegetables for Grilling
Prevent vegetables from sticking to the rack by coat both the rack and the vegetables with oil before grilling. A grilling basket or grill screen is handy for cooking small vegetables that may fall through the spaces in the rack.
Testing Vegetables for Doneness
Piercing a vegetable with a skewer or the tip of a knife will give you some idea of whether or not they are done. However, the best way to test a vegetable for doneness it to cut off a piece and eat it. Some vegetables, such as asparagus and fennel, are most satisfying when tender-crisp, which means tender when you first bite into them and crunchy at the center. Other vegetables, such as eggplants and mushrooms, should be cooked until soft throughout.
The high heat of the fire brings out the natural sugars in vegetables so they actually retain more of their flavor, vitamins and minerals than they do when cooked in water. From asparagus to corn, radicchio to sweet potatoes, vegetables are right at home over a bed of hot coals.
Shopping for Vegetables
In-season vegetables grown close to home are best. Look for vegetables that are plump, moist, and unwrinkled. Follow these guidelines when buying produce.
Asparagus Medium-sized and fat stalks grill better than very thin spears, which can be bitter. Peeling the bottom third of the spears with a vegetable peeler will help them cook evenly.
Season: February through June.
Bitter Greens Select heads of Belgian endive and radicchio that are firm, fat and crisp, with tight, unblemished leaves.
Season: year-round; best in winter.
Carrots, Parsnips and Turnips Choose smooth, firm vegetables that are free of cracks. Look for good color and a sweet smell. Small, mature vegetables have the best flavor.
Season: year-round; best in winter.
Corn Look for firm ears with plump kernels and a lot of creamy colored silk; avoid ears with heavily soiled or slimy fringe. The husks should be bright green and appear moist, not dried out.
Season: May through September.
Eggplants Look for evenly colored eggplants with shiny skin. Cut globe eggplants into slices for the grill; cook Asian eggplants whole or halved.
Season: year-round; peak in late summer.
Fennel Choose fresh bulbs that are smooth and tightly layered with no cracks or bruises. White and pale green, rounded bulbs tend to be more succulent than yellow or thin ones. Grocers sometimes incorrectly label fennel as sweet anise.
Season: year-round; peak from late fall through winter.
Mushrooms Look for mushrooms with relatively clean, firm caps. For portobellos, choose those that are evenly sized and have gills that appear clean, dry and distinct.
Season: year-round; best in late summer and early fall.
Onions Look for onions that are firm with smooth, dry skins. Avoid any with soft spots, particularly at the stem end; green shoots; moldy areas; or moist, wrinkled skins. In the spring, seek out sweet onions such as Maui, Vidalia or Walla Walla.
Season: year-round; sweet varieties in spring and late summer.
Peppers Look for peppers and chilies with smooth skin, as they will be easier to char on the grill than gnarled or grooved peppers. Thin-skinned varieties need a gentler touch so that they don't develop holes while grilling from too-high heat.
Season: year-round; best late summer through fall.
Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes Look for firm, unblemished tubers that are not wrinkled, tinged with green or cracked. Avoid potatoes that have sprouted buds.
Season: year-round; new potatoes best in spring; sweet potatoes best in fall and winter.
Summer Squashes Select zucchini, yellow crooknecks, pattypans and other summer squashes that are mature enough to have full flavor yet small enough to be tender and free of large seeds.
Season: year-round; best June through September.
Tomatoes Select tomatoes only in season, and make sure they are firm but ripe. Heirloom varieties are particularly flavorful. Never store tomatoes in the refrigerator or they will become mealy. A sunny windowsill is a good place to store underripe tomatoes.
Season: June through September.
Winter Squashes Look for firm, unblemished squashes that feel heavy for their size.
Season: some varieties available year-round; widest selection in fall and winter.
Preparing Vegetables for Grilling
Prevent vegetables from sticking to the rack by coat both the rack and the vegetables with oil before grilling. A grilling basket or grill screen is handy for cooking small vegetables that may fall through the spaces in the rack.
Testing Vegetables for Doneness
Piercing a vegetable with a skewer or the tip of a knife will give you some idea of whether or not they are done. However, the best way to test a vegetable for doneness it to cut off a piece and eat it. Some vegetables, such as asparagus and fennel, are most satisfying when tender-crisp, which means tender when you first bite into them and crunchy at the center. Other vegetables, such as eggplants and mushrooms, should be cooked until soft throughout.
Today at 3:26 pm by Rocky
» Kuwait is drilling an oil well near Umm Qasr, towards Iraqi territory
Today at 3:24 pm by Rocky
» In the document... the first Iraqi ministry identifies the obstacles to changing the new official wo
Today at 3:22 pm by Rocky
» Italian Institute: Iraq is stuck in its own crises, including Baghdad’s efforts to undermine the “au
Today at 3:21 pm by Rocky
» The head of the Integrity Commission announces the holding of an international Interpol conference i
Today at 3:18 pm by Rocky
» Planning: Iraqi companies are not efficient in conducting the population census
Today at 3:14 pm by Rocky
» utube MM&C 4/24/24 Support - USA- Turkey - Timing- Currency Value - Tabled
Today at 1:08 pm by Rocky
» MM&C 4/25/24 National Bank of Iraq goes live with Temenos core banking and payments
Today at 1:06 pm by Rocky
» utube MM&C 4/26/24 Iraqi Dinar - US Treasury Exchange Rates- Focus - Banking Partnerships - Rate C
Today at 1:06 pm by Rocky
» A banking official indicates a "danger" to Iraq by depriving more than half of its banks of dollars
Today at 12:55 pm by Rocky
» With the participation of the Association of Private Banks, investment opportunities are on the tabl
Today at 12:45 pm by Rocky
» Within a month... an Iranian border crossing recorded a noticeable increase in exports of goods to I
Today at 12:44 pm by Rocky
» The Association of Private Banks appreciates the efforts of the government and the Central Bank to c
Today at 12:43 pm by Rocky
» Al-Maliki's coalition presents a third candidate for the position of governor of Diyala
Today at 11:57 am by Rocky
» Arab gathering: The Kirkuk problem is getting complicated and the Sudanese must intervene
Today at 11:56 am by Rocky
» Next week.. a Kurdish delegation will visit Baghdad to meet with the Minister of Finance
Today at 11:54 am by Rocky
» Under the pretext of salaries... Al-Party refrains from handing over port revenues to Baghdad
Today at 11:53 am by Rocky
» Association of Banks: For the first time, we are witnessing a clear targeting of depriving half of t
Today at 11:51 am by Rocky
» Parliament does not know the reason for the delay in sending the 2024 budget schedules: Voting takes
Today at 11:49 am by Rocky
» Applicants for the 2024 Hajj are demanding that the Central Bank secure the dollar for them through
Today at 10:09 am by Rocky
» Governmental and private banks will showcase their services tomorrow during Financial Inclusion Week
Today at 10:08 am by Rocky
» Iraq's oil exports rise despite OPEC+ cuts
Today at 10:06 am by Rocky
» A study explodes a "surprise"... Iraq is among the countries that export oil to "Israel": How is the
Today at 10:04 am by Rocky
» Al-Araji emphasizes working to strengthen national identity
Today at 10:02 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani visits Saudi Arabia to participate in the World Economic Forum in Riyadh
Today at 10:01 am by Rocky
» Iraq is talking about producing one million additional liters of gasoline
Today at 9:59 am by Rocky
» The Council of Ministers approves the implementation of the Baghdad Metro project
Today at 9:56 am by Rocky
» Minister of Commerce: We formed a joint economic committee with Türkiye
Today at 9:55 am by Rocky
» Resources: Government measures have contributed to improving the water situation in Iraq
Today at 9:53 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Finance: Baghdad will continue to send salaries to the region’s employees until settle
Today at 9:51 am by Rocky
» A parliamentarian describes the corruption of Iraqi ports as “ghouls” and reveals the involvement of
Today at 9:49 am by Rocky
» Obelisk Hour: Basra is the subject of political conflict and ambiguity over the fate of the funds al
Today at 9:48 am by Rocky
» Turkmen leader: An agreement on the local government of Kirkuk is near
Today at 9:45 am by Rocky
» Anbar calls for the operation of its factories despite financial obstacles
Today at 9:44 am by Rocky
» Turki: The crisis of the Presidency of Parliament prompted the Sunnis to amend the Council’s interna
Today at 9:43 am by Rocky
» The Agriculture Committee confirms the existence of Iraqi-Turkish-Iranian discussions on water
Today at 9:42 am by Rocky
» Resources diagnose the challenges facing the water file in Iraq
Today at 9:38 am by Rocky
» Parliament pledges to the Interior Ministry: We will transfer money to buy weapons from citizens
Today at 9:33 am by Rocky
» Al-Issawi is the closest.. Parliament sets the date for deciding the choice of the new president
Today at 9:31 am by Rocky
» Deputy: Iraq's investments have risen and need a comprehensive review of previous years
Today at 9:30 am by Rocky
» Iraqis consume 7 billion eggs annually and import about $900 million
Today at 9:28 am by Rocky
» The Iranian role complicates attempts at open cooperation between Iraq and Turkey. Turkey is trying
Today at 9:26 am by Rocky
» Move in Iran to obtain $242 billion from Iraq in compensation for the eight-year war
Today at 9:25 am by Rocky
» 12 decisions from the Council of Ministers regarding the Baghdad Metro and Najaf-Karbala train proje
Today at 9:23 am by Rocky
» Sudanese Advisor: The path to development has begun... the Baka and the militias “we silence them wi
Today at 9:21 am by Rocky
» Not from Kurdistan.. How did Iraq become a source of oil for “Israeli tanks”?
Today at 9:19 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Agriculture criticizes the Sudanese and Erdogan agreement: Türkiye will control water
Today at 9:16 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi government issues new decisions
Yesterday at 7:35 pm by Rocky
» The story of “reduced oil” to Jordan, from “compulsion” to mutual benefit.. Is there a loss?
Yesterday at 7:33 pm by Rocky
» The Council of Ministers takes 12 decisions for the Baghdad Metro and the Najaf-Karbala train
Yesterday at 7:32 pm by Rocky
» utube MM&C 4/23/24 Iraqi Dinar - IQD Update - Development Road Project - Saviour of Global Banking
Yesterday at 3:18 pm by Rocky
» Kidney from pig transplanted into deathly ill New Jersey woman — and begins working almost immediat
Yesterday at 3:15 pm by Bama Diva
» The most difficult option.. Warnings of the danger of floating the Iraqi dinar without achieving an
Yesterday at 2:48 pm by Rocky
» Trade from the “Economic Committee” with Türkiye: It will overcome all obstacles facing the traders
Yesterday at 2:46 pm by Rocky
» Washington's hope for stable relations with Baghdad clashes with Iraqi parties' rejection of the Ame
Yesterday at 2:41 pm by Rocky
» Karim Badr: Development is America’s will to kill silk
Yesterday at 2:36 pm by Rocky
» Oil: Opening of a new port for liquid gas for vehicles in Baghdad
Yesterday at 2:33 pm by Rocky
» A media advisor warns of corruption in a draft law on the Parliament’s agenda
Yesterday at 2:21 pm by Rocky
» Economist: There is serious work to lift US sanctions on Iraqi banks
Yesterday at 2:16 pm by Rocky
» Will the agreements signed with the US Treasury reflect positively on the exchange rates?
Yesterday at 12:52 pm by Rocky
» Iraq continues its quest to join the World Trade Organization
Yesterday at 12:51 pm by Rocky
» Iraq completes the completion of the files for the initial offer of goods and services to join the W
Yesterday at 12:50 pm by Rocky
» Economist: Travelers' dollars are leaking into the parallel market...and this is what the Central Ba
Yesterday at 12:32 pm by Rocky
» President of the Federal Court: It is not permissible to force anyone to join any party, and the pol
Yesterday at 12:30 pm by Rocky
» The Council of Ministers holds its session headed by Al-Sudani
Yesterday at 12:27 pm by Rocky
» America weakens Baghdad...and increases Kurdistan's military capabilities
Yesterday at 12:26 pm by Rocky
» The Iraqi government plans to build 10,000 schools throughout the country
Yesterday at 12:23 pm by Rocky
» American threats close the Iraqi Stock Exchange at a loss
Yesterday at 12:21 pm by Rocky
» Increase in external transfers at the Central Bank
Yesterday at 12:20 pm by Rocky
» Al-Maliki calls on Britain to cancel restrictions on the entry of its companies into Iraq
Yesterday at 12:18 pm by Rocky
» Planning and the European Union are discussing signing a number of agreements in the development, en
Yesterday at 12:16 pm by Rocky
» Parliament talks about the mechanism for recovering smuggled funds and hints at the next stage
Yesterday at 12:13 pm by Rocky
» Interior Ministry: The number of completed national cards reached 37 million cards
Yesterday at 12:06 pm by Rocky
» Amnesty International: Violations of freedom and human rights continue in Iraq and the Kurdistan Reg
Yesterday at 12:04 pm by Rocky
» Parliamentary Oil: The government is proceeding with the decision to raise the price of improved gas
Yesterday at 12:03 pm by Rocky
» A parliamentary committee in Basra to investigate violations of the port company and the local gover
Yesterday at 12:00 pm by Rocky
» Revealing the 10 most important American exports to Iraq
Yesterday at 10:31 am by Rocky
» A noticeable increase in the rate of Iraq's import of Chinese cooling devices
Yesterday at 10:30 am by Rocky
» Prime Minister: Working on projects without completing the infrastructure is a waste of money
Yesterday at 10:28 am by Rocky
» Iraq.. Extending the deadline for registration procedures on plots of land
Yesterday at 10:27 am by Rocky
» What is the main purpose of conducting the population census in Iraq?
Yesterday at 10:25 am by Rocky
» A plan to transform Iraq from a barren land to green with 5 million trees
Yesterday at 10:24 am by Rocky
» The Housing Fund announces the acceptance of more than 11 thousand loans through the Ur platform
Yesterday at 10:23 am by Rocky
» The Bank of Baghdad is moving to increase its capital to 400 billion dinars
Yesterday at 10:20 am by Rocky
» The electronic payment system will soon be adopted on Iraqi buses
Yesterday at 10:19 am by Rocky
» “It threatens our interests and destroys our economy.” An Iraqi project “irritates” the Kuwaiti stre
Yesterday at 10:18 am by Rocky
» Warning from the Central Bank about “misuse of electronic payment cards”
Yesterday at 10:17 am by Rocky
» Iraq and the Sultanate of Oman are discussing sending capacities through the Gulf countries
Yesterday at 10:16 am by Rocky
» The fact that a decision was issued to deport Syrian workers from Iraq
Yesterday at 10:14 am by Rocky
» Rice comes first... America exports 10 foodstuffs worth more than 350 million dollars to Iraq
Yesterday at 10:14 am by Rocky
» A sixth licensing round for gas exploration
Yesterday at 10:12 am by Rocky
» Baghdad is preparing to host the 50th session of the Arab Labor Conference
Yesterday at 10:11 am by Rocky
» Scientific symposium on the future vision of the tripartite budget
Yesterday at 10:09 am by Rocky
» Five conversion power stations enter service in Najaf
Yesterday at 10:08 am by Rocky
» Planning: Conduct a population census next November
Yesterday at 10:07 am by Rocky
» Experts: Spreading misleading information harms development and investment
Yesterday at 10:03 am by Rocky
» Economists call for tightening money laundering laws and port controls
Yesterday at 10:02 am by Rocky
» Today's newspapers are interested in Sudanese's visit to Anbar Governorate and preparations for cond
Yesterday at 10:00 am by Rocky
» Iraq and Russia discuss cooperation between the two countries in the field of information and artifi
Yesterday at 9:58 am by Rocky