I have been wanting to make vegetable skewers all summer long.
Kind of like how all summer long I have wanted to spill a cup of uncooked quinoa all over my stove.
In case you can’t sense my sarcasm, I’m being sarcastic. Being the intelligent person that I am, I took all of about 10 minutes to try and figure out the best possible way to salvage the quinoa, including spooning it back into the package. Yeah, I got the vacuum out – and no, I will not be eating that quinoa in the future.
Back in the day (because apparently I am an old woman now – better get out the bifocals!), I used to call these shish-kabobs. Anyone else in the shish-kabob family? Somehow I feel like shish-kabobs are the epitome of a summer food, even though my parents perhaps made them twice in the first 24 years of my life. But gosh darn it, I better have a shish-kabob before the end of the summer!
And there you are, laughing at me (what else is new?) muttering about how I still have about six weeks of summer left. Really people? I have six days. Don’t taunt me with those after Labor Day start dates some of you have.
Can I let you in on a secret? I don’t call these shish-kabobs anymore.
They’re called vegetable skewers. I think they suit the mature, grown up lady I have become. Wouldn’t you agree? Although who can really ever let go of a word that starts with shish and ends in bob?
All because of that fateful year and a half I worked at a steakhouse where the kitchen workers would ever so slyly slip me a few (skewers, not drinks) while I was working. The vegetables were tender, but still had a slight crunch, they were seasoned to perfection, and the mushrooms – oh the mushrooms, were meaty, juicy, and melted in your mouth.
The beautiful part about vegetable skewers is that you don’t really need a set recipe. All you need to do is chunk (gross word, am I right?) the vegetables into 1 inch pieces, season with your favorite spices, and cook for 5 minutes on each side on the grill.
These tasted even better than they looked.
Much like the quinoa that I scraped out of the vacuum.
I kid, I kid!
{ 36 comments… read them below or add one }
I love making skewers! I’ve never added shrooms before, what a nice touch!
mmm I love skewers. My favorite item to add to them are onions and pineapple–they are so good when they get slightly charred!
Grilled pineapple is the best. I wish I had some!
I still call them shish-kabobs! lol But, I have to admit Veggie Skewers sounds much more elegant!!
They look delish by the way. I’m sure they’d be fab with hunks of tofu and marinated in some balsamic! yum!
I was thinking about the tofu, but just wasn’t feeling it oday! I’ll have to next time!
Mmm veggie skewers are SO good!! You’re making me drool over here!! And haha I thought you wrote that you WERE gonna eat that quinoa! I was trying not to judge since I eat food off the floor all the time (I’m a dropper) but I was a bit grossed out!
Haha, I can totally see myself doing the same thing and trying to figure out how to salvage the quinoa. Throwing food out PAINS me! Delicious looking shiiish-kabobs girl
Quinoa is tough- is it just me or does it fall out of the package NO MATTER what? And then tonight I burnt it not once, but twice. Nice.
Yes, it always falls out. Always.
Yum! I loved grilling veggies this way! so much fun to eat and make haha
That quinoa story doesn’t sound so bad. Last week I spilled about half a container of Fage yogurt into the kitchen sink. It was one of those big ones from Costco. And the sink was full of dirty dishes and soapy water. Yea, don’t tell my bf, but I scraped up as much as I could and put it back in the container! Shh… he doesn’t have to know!
I would have done the saaaame thing.
I used to call them shish-kabobs too. Heck, I STILL call them shish-kabobs, and I say it like sheesh kabobs. I’m a winner
But these do look delicious, and you’re totally making me crave grilled veggies. Good thing I still have about 5 weeks of summer left 
Way to rub it in.
6 days of summer left…. let’s not talk about school. I’m in the same boat. Here we go again!!!! Better hold on tight for Mrs. H’s class!
You have oh-so- matured…. These look great!
I was laughing so much when I read about your quinoa because I feel your pain. Do you know that every time I make quinoa, I have some kind of “quinoa disaster” that usually involves quinoa all over the kitchen floor/sink/table/stove? Seriously, what is it about quinoa that gives it the idea that it just must make a mess?
mm grilled vegetables are so flavorful! I love mixing them with fruit too..pineapple steals my heart
I have definitely always called them shish-kabobs! I probably always will!
Haha I’ve done that with my quinoa so many times! I’ve started storing my grains in glass jars in my cupboard instead of in their original packages… and since doing that I haven’t spilled them once (knock on wood)!
I love kebabs! And I agree with Tessa – pineapple always tastes amazing grilled.
Those look DELISH! But. The only problem? I’m a college student who lives in an apartment with no grill. Would the broiler work too? What would the cooking times be?
I definitely called them shish kabobs too! However, I have never actually made them…I need to get some metal skewers to be able to make them! But grilled veggies are the way to go!
But…but….shish-kabob is so fun to say! Yes that is what I call them. I admire your restraint.
I will now be adding it to my vernaular of cursing substitutes.
Holy Shish-Kebob!
Tough shish-kabob.
You with me?
Always.
Veggies on a stick, what could be better!
Shish-kebab! Thats what I always called them too. Although vegetable skewers definitely sound more sophisticated. I love them and they must always have some good chunks of mushroom.
your skewers look perfect. the colors just POP of the plate. great job girlie!
My grandfather alwaysssss made shish-kabobs! his had lamb, I prefer the mushrooms. I have a bit of an aversion to veggie skewers seeing as I worked at a place for 9 years where we served them. I think I can get over it.
And yes, chunk is right up there with moist.
About a year ago, the three year old dumped a bag of quinoa on the kitchen floor, when we moved out 2 months ago, I still found quinoa in places. It never goes away!!!!
I still call those shish kabobs.
I love kabobs!! Especially grilled fruit and veggie ones!!! Red pep, pineapple, and onion is the best!!!
Kabobs are one of my favorite summertime meals!
I’ve made skewers a few times this summer, but it’s not nearly enough! These look perfect.
I call them kay-bobs. I’m mature like that.
I ate some over the fourth and they were delish, but since they taste the same as veggies grilled in my grill pan, but take much longer, I usually (always) got the grill pan route. I’m all about easy.
Usually I am too, yesterday I was all about presentation and thinking my food looked fun.
At least you didn’t drop millet
I call them shish kabobs.
And those look really good. I feel your pain, I start up again on the 22nd but for the last 2 weeks I’ve been at summer band all day in 100 degree weather.
I used to call them shish kabobs, no worries!
…okay. I still do. I’m five
but I love it!