Not Your Father's Barbeque

It isn't summer without a grill, traditionally loaded with burgers, hot dogs, chicken or ribs.

But look out, the vegetarians are moving in on Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day.

Meat isn't the only thing that tastes better smoked, it seems.

Try throwing some of these, salted and brushed with oil, on the barbie:

• Whole Portobello mushrooms; 
• Eggplant, zucchini, fennel, plum tomato or red pepper spears;
• Sliced beets; 
• Sectioned endive or radicchio; 
• Asparagus;
• Whole parboiled artichokes; 
• Little whole onions or Spanish onion sections;
• Marinated extra firm tofu.

Tend and turn them just like you would a wee burger.

'Cued veggies can be dressed with fresh herbs, olive or nut oil and lemon, and served with pesto, salsa, guacamole or hummus.

Or stuff them in a panini. Try these combos:

• Grilled red peppers and onion with mozzarella and pesto on a ciabatta
• Grilled beets and endive with goat cheese on multi-grain bread
• Grilled eggplant, tomato and onion with hummus and chopped parsley in a pita.

Fruit also tastes great grilled.  Grilling caramelizes the sugar and intensifies the flavor. Try pineapple, just-ripe peach halves, nectarines, apricots, or strawberries on a kebab skewer.

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