Appetizers - BBQ Vegetable Recipes

Maybe vegetables don't automatically come to mind when you think of the barbecue, but there are actually many tasty BBQ vegetable recipes that are both fast and easy. Grilled veggies can be both a tasty appetizer or a great BBQ side dish.

Skewers are a great way to present barbecued vegetable appetizers. Use metal skewers, or soak bamboo or wood skewers in water for an hour or two first. While they're soaking, prepare the veggies - you can basically put together any vegetables that take approximately the same amount of time to cook. Cut them into approximately 1" chunks. Vary the colors so that it will look pretty and enticing when done.

Don't feel like fussing with skewers? Use a grilling basket to prevent veggie chunks from falling through the grate (and save your sanity).

Vegetables marinate quickly... if you decide you want to marinate them before grilling, 15 minutes will usually do the trick. Just pour the marinade over the prepared veggies and toss to coat.

If you're in a rush or want to do some preparation ahead of time, you can cook the veggies first and then finish them off on the grill.

Some ideas for barbecue vegetable recipes:

• Grill some eggplant - so tasty that some people who don't usually like eggplant are willing to devour it! Chop up eggplant into about 1" chunks (or a little smaller). Toss with a little olive oil and sprinkle with rosemary.

• Make a delicious savoury mix of eggplant, red onion, and zucchini by cutting into 1/2" chunks and tossing with olive oil, sea salt and pepper.

• Make a colorful veggie skewer using small button mushrooms (or portobello mushrooms cut into 3/4" chunks), green peppers and eggplant. Toss with some fresh chopped garlic, a bit of lemon juice, salt and pepper, and maybe a pinch or two of sugar.

• Another easy and tasty veggie recipe? Barbecue some asparagus - snap off the tough ends, then toss lightly with a bit of olive oil, season sea salt and pepper to taste. Grill for 4 to 6 minutes if you're cooking thin asparagus, up to 10 minutes if it's thick. For easier grilling you can also wrap the asparagus (in a single layer) in foil. Add a couple of pats of butter if you like, or use Italian seasoning.

• Jalepeno poppers are always a hit. Take 16 jalepeno peppers, split them in half, and clean them out, leaving just the 'shell' of the pepper. Take one of the peppers and mince into tiny pieces. Mix these jalepeno pieces together with 8 ounces of softened cream cheese, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 2 tbsp fresh chopped garlic, 2 tbsp parmesan cheese, and a pinch of sea salt. If you like tomatoes, add a couple of tbsp of chopped sun-dried tomato to the mix. Then stuff each half shell with the mixture. Barbecue on indirect heat for about 20-30 minutes at medium heat. Both the peppers and the filling should be hot and cooked all the way through.

BBQ vegetable recipes don't have to be complicated to be tasty - lots of simple preparations are wonderfully delicious. If you're looking for other ideas, check out side dishes for BBQ and BBQ appetizer recipes.

• How to BBQ Corn
• BBQ Mushrooms Recipe
• BBQ Asparagus Recipe
• How to Bake a Potato in the BBQ
• Barbecue Vegetarian Recipes