Rain stopped? Get out the grill

Here's hoping the rain is over and more sunny days are in our future. With plenty of tomatoes and peppers on hand from the garden, I plan to get some on the grill this weekend. Linn County Master Gardener Claire Smith has grilling on her mind, too. The following is from Claire on out-of-the-ordinary grilling ideas:

     I don't cook anymore, but I sure like to eat.  Some of my favorite foods are fixed on the grill  with either my son or son-in-law serving as chef.  There is a shish-ka-bob of peppers, tomatoes, and onions that is out of this world.  Grilled Sweet Potatoes are even better than the specialty ones at a local restaurant chain.  I've heard zucchini grilled using olive oil is a real treat.  Red Peppers are usually not one of my foods of choice, but done on the grill, they add zest to any meal.  There is an article in one of our publications about pizza on the grill.  Now what kid wouldn't think they have the world by the tail to discover grilled pizza? Pizza is one of those foods that allow creativity.   The author's recipe calls for preparing quick pizza dough flattened out to six inch circles and grilled for one minute. Flip the dough over and brush with olive oil and tomato sauce.  Add whatever toppings are ready from the garden such as tomatoes, basil, eggplant, rosemary, thyme, onions, chive and peppers.  Of course, you could include some store produce like cheese and olives. 

                The grandkids discovered how good fresh sweet corn from their garden is.  Remember their garden is small, so sometimes Mom and Dad add a few ears from the local vendor, but what a treat for the family.  Folks tell me they roast corn on the grill by pulling back the husk to remove the silk and then recovering and tying the husks  but I prefer the good old fashioned way of boiled on the stove. My Dad's absolute favorite food was new potatoes and Mom's homemade fresh pea gravy.

                Now I hear some saying they would just as soon purchase fresh produce at a farmer's market as to go to all of the work of growing it themselves.  A farmer's market is great fun and one can purchase such a variety of fresh products,  In fact, purchase a vegetable you didn't plant this year, try it and see if you like it enough to put it in a garden next year.   Gardening creates such a satisfying feeling when you can step out your door and pluck fresh produce right from your own back yard.