7 Foods You Didn’t Know You Could Grill

If you’re looking for unusual food inspiration for the barbecue this summer, look no further than these foods you never thought you’d see on a grill.

1. Watermelon

Watermelon, that super-sweet and watery fruit, becomes unexpectedly savory when grilled with a hint of salt. Brush one inch thick slices with olive oil, minced onion, salt and pepper, then grill for around five minutes per side until caramelized and beginning to dry out. Serve as a side dish, or you can add melted cheese and a bun for a watermelon burger!

2. Oysters

Want to impress your guests, but don’t want to spend ages preparing a dish? Throw some oysters on to the grill at your barbecue, and cook them until their shells start to pop open.

3. Romaine Lettuce

You’d think that lettuce would wilt away under the heat of a grill, but they hold up surprisingly well. Grilling them creates a smoky flavor that’s great in a salad. Try this with your lettuce: slice two heads of romaine lettuce lengthwise, then brush the cut sides with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Put the lettuce halves cut side down on a grill for 1-2 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan and red wine vinegar to serve.

4. Polenta

You may have only had creamy polenta up until now, but this is great. Let your polenta set, then slice it up and grill it. This gives it a crispy, golden exterior and a smoky flavor.

5. Cheese

Yes, you can grill cheese directly without making a mess! Choose halloumi or aged provolone cheese, and use thick slices. Drizzle with olive oil, then grill over a medium-high heat, turning once, until you see char marks forming. This takes around 4 minutes per side for halloumi, and 1 minute per side for provolone. Try serving with bread, grapes and preserves for a perfect lunch.

6. Cake

I bet you’ve never thought of grilling cake before! Grilling it gives a warm interior and a caramelized crust, with the sweetness balancing out the smokiness of the barbeque. Try using angel food cake or pound cake for this. Cut it into 1 inch slices, butter both sides, then grill over a moderate heat until golden, turning once. It should take around 2 minutes per side. Serve with ice cream, fruit, or chocolate sauce.

7. Avocados

If you want to make an extra smoky and savory guacamole, gently grill some avocado halves, then scoop out the flesh.