Grilled Vegetables With Vegan Pesto Food

GRILLED VEGETABLES WITH COLLARD GREEN PESTO

Steps:

• For the collard green pesto: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the collard greens and cook until the collards are bright green and tender, about 2 minutes. Drain the collards and plunge in an ice water bath to stop cooking. Drain.
• With the motor running, drop the garlic through the chute of a food processor and process until minced. Remove the lid and add the collards, cheese, basil, pecans, lemon zest, crushed red pepper and salt. Pulse until finely chopped. Pour the oil through the chute and process until the desired consistency is reached. Add the lemon juice. Add 2 tablespoons water, 1 tablespoon at a time, to thin the pesto if necessary.
• For the vegetables: Toss the asparagus, pepper, squash and zucchini with half of the pesto. Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill the vegetables until browned and tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter and drizzle with the remaining pesto. Garnish with the lemon zest, if desired.

GRILLED VEGETABLES WITH VEGAN PESTO

Steps:

• Prepare the Vegan Fennel Frond Pesto, if needed or use your own favorite pesto.
• Prepare the produce as directed above.
• Light the grill and allow it to heat up to medium-high heat.
• Brush the cut vegetables with a small amount of oil. Place them on the hot grill and allow them to cook for approximately 8-10 minutes. Flip periodically if desired. Vegetables are finished when they are fork tender with visible grill marks.
• Place the grilled vegetables on a platter and dollop the pesto over the top. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Garnish with nutritional yeast or vegan Parmesan (optional).
• Leftovers vegetables will keep for up to 5 days in a sealed container in the refrigerator or extra pesto will keep for up to two weeks in a separate container covered with a thin layer of oil.

GRILLED SUMMER VEGETABLE SANDWICHES WITH PESTO

Steps:

• Slice the zucchini and summer squash lengthwise, 1/4- to 1/2-inch thick. Cut the bell pepper into 1-inch wide strips. Lay in a roomy baking dish.
• Make the marinade. In a small bowl, whisk together all marinade ingredients. Taste and add additional salt and pepper if desired. Pour over the veggies and toss gently. Let sit for about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the pesto. First, toast the walnuts (an optional but worthwhile step - toasting adds wonderful flavor). To toast, set a small pan over medium heat and add the walnuts. Stir frequently until golden and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add to the pitcher of a blender or a food processor fitted with the s-blade. Add the basil, garlic, thyme, lemon juice, nutritional yeast or Parmesan if using, and salt. Turn on the blender or food processor, streaming in the olive oil as it runs, until a sauce forms. Taste pesto and add additional salt if desired.
• Prepare your grill - medium direct heat, about 375 degrees. Lay the vegetables on the preheated grill grates and cook until grill lines form, about 5 minutes. Flip (we like to use long-handled tongs) and cook on the other side until tender and cooked through, about 5 more minutes. Transfer from the grill to a platter. Keep the grill on to quickly toast the rolls.
• Slice the rolls in half and brush the insides with the 2 tablespoons olive oil. Lay the rolls cut-side down on the grill and cook just until warmed and a little golden and toasty. Remove from grill.
• Assemble the sandwiches. Smear both sides of the roll with approx. 1 tablespoon of pesto on each side (more or less to taste). Add a layer of zucchini, summer squash, and two or three strips of the pepper. Close, cut in half, and serve!