Grilling Tips- How to Properly Grill Common Vegetables

Like with any other type of food, there is a correct way of grilling each type of vegetable in order for them to cook properly. Preparing fresh produce takes more than peeling, cutting or slicing them up then throwing them on the grates. If you want perfectly-cooked vegetables, it is ideal to learn how each type should be grilled to maximize their fresh flavor and nutrition.

Here the most commonly grilled vegetables and the right way to cook them on the grill.

Bell Peppers

Red and green bell peppers are a griller's favorite to include in a veggie kebab or a salad. They can be cooked in two ways - you can grill them whole until the peppers are tender and the skin is charred for peeling or you can slice them into workable pieces and cook them just for a few minutes or until just charred around the edges. Bell peppers cook best when seasoned with salt and black pepper, brushed with olive oil, and cooked skin down over high heat for 5-8

minutes.

Tomatoes

Seasoned with herbs and spices or just plain salt and pepper, grilled tomatoes can stand alone as a delicious side dish without adding anything else. The right way to cook them on the grill is to slice them in half crosswise, brush with olive oil and cook cut side down for 4 minutes. Turn once, this time skin side down, then cook for another 4 minutes.

Corn

A lot of people prefer to grill corn with the husks on, but experts don't recommend you to do this unless you want to miss out on the juicy, charred bits of the corn and its authentic smoky flavor. Slather the cobs with butter and herbs, then cook on a closed grill for about 15-20 minutes over high heat until kernels are tender. Turn every 5 minutes while cooking to ensure the corn is evenly cooked.

Onions

Onions are a fixture in numerous grilled dishes because of the wonderful flavor they give- their strong and pungent flavor becomes somewhat light and sweet when cooked on the grill. To maximize the flavor of onions, slice them crosswise into 1/2-inch rounds, place them on a skewer and cook them over medium heat for 5-7 minutes per side until the onions are tender or begin to caramelize.

Asparagus

Sometimes referred to as the "king of grilled vegetables", asparagus is surely a top choice when it comes to grilling. Place them directly on oiled grates (or use a pan to contain the spears), sprinkle with a little bit of salt, and cook over high heat for 5-10 minutes until grill marks appear or vegetable is fork tender.

Follow these simple yet helpful tips when grilling these vegetables to maximize their flavor and to achieve a juicy, perfectly-cooked grilled veggie dish!