This grilled zucchini, eggplant, and pepper salad is a great side dish for a Mediterranean-style barbecue. Seasoned with basil, garlic, and extra virgin olive oil, it is even better if prepared the day before so the vegetables have time to absorb the flavor.

Jump to:
- Why grilling zucchini eggplants and pepper
- What to use to grill zucchini and eggplants
- How to cut and grill zucchini and eggplants
- How to grill peppers
- Seasoning grilled vegetables
- How to serve grilled zucchini eggplants and peppers
- Tips for making the best-grilled zucchini eggplants and peppers
- Recipes you might also like
- 📋Grilled zucchini eggplants and peppers
Why grilling zucchini eggplants and pepper
The barbecue season is starting and so is zucchini, eggplants and peppers season. There are so many ways of cooking them and grilling is one of my favorites. A perfect dish for barbecue parties, it can be prepared ahead of time and served at room temperature.
What to use to grill zucchini and eggplants
I prefer to grill vegetables on a gas barbecue as I can better control the temperature. Also, I have a large Weber grill and I can cook a large quantity in a very short time. If you don't have an outdoor grill you can roast them on a skillet pan, but it will take longer as you can only fit a small number of vegetables.
If you want to cook them on a charcoal barbecue make sure you cut even slices otherwise a thin side will burn while the large will remain raw.
How to cut and grill zucchini and eggplants
While the zucchini can be grilled cut in slices lengthwise and no need to peel them, the eggplants should be sliced and peeled as the skin can become hard.
- Cut the zucchini in slices lengthwise. If you are using a gas barbecue, the slices should be long enough so they do not fall in between the grill.
- Peel the aubergines and cut them in round slices.
- Roast the aubergines and the zucchini in the grill or in an iron pan. You do not need to add oil as long as the grill or the pan is very hot. Once cooked the vegetables will detach from the grill or pan and can be turned easily.
- Turn them and cook the other side.
How to grill peppers
The peppers instead should be grilled whole at very high temperature so the skin burns away and the flesh remains chunky. If you are using an outdoor grill close the top so the temperature is high. If you don't have an outdoor grill you can grill them in the oven.
Once they are cold the burned skin will peel easily. But before you clean the peppers make sure they are cold as hot water will be leaking out once opened. Remove the stalk and the seeds and rinse under running water to remove any seeds attached.
- Roast the peppers on the grill at a very high temperature
- Turn until most of the skin is burned
- Peel the peppers once cold
- Remove the stalk and discharge all seeds
Seasoning grilled vegetables
In Italy, we like to keep the vegetable seasoning very simple in order to enhance their flavors. I season with salt, garlic, basil, and good quality extra virgin olive oil.
Even better if prepared the day before, so the vegetables have time to absorb the seasoning.
How to serve grilled zucchini eggplants and peppers
I like to serve those grilled vegetables as a side dish for barbecued meat. Here we had them with a Florentine steak. As the vegetables remain chunky and they are full of flavors, they can also be served as a main in a salad for a vegan meal. They go very well also with cheese and bread.
If you have leftovers you can eat them with pasta and parmesan cheese.
They can also be served separately, each on its own serving dish with the same seasoning.
This recipe is included in the challenge: 7 Vegetarian Side-dishes for a Stress-free Party
Tips for making the best-grilled zucchini eggplants and peppers
- I prefer to grill vegetables on a gas barbecue as I can better control the temperature. Also, I have a large Weber grill and I can cook a large quantity in a very short time.
- If you don't have an outdoor grill you can roast them on a skillet pan, but it will take longer as you can only fit a small number of vegetables.
- If you want to cook them on a charcoal barbecue make sure you cut even slices otherwise a thin side will burn while the large will remain raw.
- Zucchini can be grilled cut in slices lengthwise and no need to peel them
- Eggplants should be sliced and peeled as the skin can become hard
- You do not need to add oil as long as the grill or the pan is very hot. Once cooked the vegetables will detach from the grill or pan and can be turned easily.
- Peppers instead should be grilled whole at very high temperature so the skin burns away and the flesh remains chunky.
- If you are using an outdoor grill close the top so the temperature is high. If you don't have an outdoor grill you can grill them in the oven.
- Once they are cold the burned skin will peel easily. But before you clean the peppers make sure they are cold as hot water will be leaking out once opened.
- Keep the vegetable seasoning very simple in order to enhance their flavours. I season with salt, garlic, basil and good quality of extra virgin olive oil.
- Even better if prepared the day before, so the vegetables have time to absorb the seasoning.
- They can be served as a vegan main or a side dish for barbecued meat.
- They can also be served separately
Recipes you might also like
For more vegetarian recipes, check out the category: Vegetables
Also check the recipes below:
- Greek salad
- Black Rice Recipe With Apple, Avocado And Carrots
- Easy Ratatouille Recipe Baked
- Easy Tabbouleh Recipe
- Healthy Eggplant Parmesan
- Easy Chanterelle Recipe With Potato
- Potato Salad Mayonnaise
- Italian Rice Stuffed Tomatoes
- Puntarelle alla Romana
- Nicoise Salad
- Traditional Pasta Alla Norma with Eggplants
For more appetizers with eggplants, check out the story: 15 Authentic Italian Eggplant Recipes
This recipe is included in the challenge: 7 Vegetarian Side-dishes for a Stress-free Party
If you are making this grilled vegetables, leave your comment below I would like to hear from you. You can find more delicious ideas if you FOLLOW ME on Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram or sign up to my newsletter.
📋Grilled zucchini eggplants and peppers
Ingredients
- 2 eggplants
- 4 red peppers
- 5 zucchini
- 10 fresh basil leaves
- 5 cloves peeled garlic cloves
- 3 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
- 1 teaspoon salt
Equipment
Instructions
Grill the vegetables
- Roast the peppers on the grill and turn until most of the skin is burned4 red peppers
- Put aside and let them cool completely
- Peel the eggplants and cut them in round slices2 eggplants
- Cut the zucchini in slices lengthwise. If you are using a gas barbecue, the slices should be long enough so they do not fall in between the grill.5 zucchini
- Roast the eggplants and the zucchini in the grill or in an iron pan.
- Turn them and cook the other side.
Arrange and season them
- Peel the peppers once cold, discharge all seeds and mix all the vegetables in the same bowl.
- Mix all the vegetables in the same bowl seasoning with salt.
- Peel the garlic cloves and cut them into thin round slices.5 cloves peeled garlic cloves
- Cut the basil leaves in stripes and mix all with the vegetables adding salt and virgin olive oil.10 fresh basil leaves, 1 teaspoon salt, 3 tablespoon olive oil
- Best if this recipe is prepared the night before so the vegetables are left to rest and infuse with the garlic overnight
Video
Notes
- I prefer to grill vegetables on a gas barbecue as I can better control the temperature. Also, I have a large Weber grill and I can cook a large quantity in a very short time.
- If you don't have an outdoor grill you can roast them on a skillet pan, but it will take longer as you can only fit a small number of vegetables.
- If you want to cook them on a charcoal barbecue make sure you cut even slices otherwise a thin side will burn while the large will remain raw.
- Zucchini can be grilled cut in slices lengthwise and no need to peel them
- Eggplants should be sliced and peeled as the skin can become hard
- You do not need to add oil as long as the grill or the pan is very hot. Once cooked the vegetables will detach from the grill or pan and can be turned easily.
- Peppers instead should be grilled whole at very high temperature so the skin burns away and the flesh remains chunky.
- If you are using an outdoor grill close the top so the temperature is high. If you don't have an outdoor grill you can grill them in the oven.
- Once they are cold the burned skin will peel easily. But before you clean the peppers make sure they are cold as hot water will be leaking out once opened.
- Keep the vegetable seasoning very simple in order to enhance their flavours. I season with salt, garlic, basil and good quality of extra virgin olive oil.
- Even better if prepared the day before, so the vegetables have time to absorb the seasoning.
- They can be served as a vegan main or a side dish for barbecued meat.
- They can also be served separately
Adrianne
What a combination!! Red peppers and eggplants are the bomb!! The grilling them makes it sound like they would taste fabulous. Well done!
Laura
Thank you, they are so good
Jessie
Yum!! Summer time BBQ with fresh summer produce from my garden! These grilled veggies sound and look amazing!!
Laura
Thank you, They are special
MARISA
Those charred peppers are so full of flavor. Love this salad idea.
Laura
Thank you, yes they are
Neha
I am a sucker for grilled veggies and this recipe sounds not only delicious but so easy too! Totally giving it a try your way.
Laura
Ah, ah, I am sure you will like them