Vegetarian BBQ: Alternatives for a healthy summer cookout

Hosting cookouts is one of the most popular summer activities. Now that more people are eating less meat, you may want to think about including a few vegetarian-friendly options at your next barbeque. According to YSU executive chef Clint Kifolo, every grill has a designated section for vegetarian food.

"All campus cooks have been asked to reserve a section of the grill for vegetarian and vegan items," he said.

Despite the reserved portions of food, there isn't any way to track whether the people eating the vegetarian food are actually vegetarian or not.

Advisor of the Youngstown State Environmental & Animal Rights Coalition and 11-year vegetarian Dan Kuzman said, "Even nationally, the statistics are vague regarding the population of vegetarians and vegans. However, it is apparent that more people are reducing the amount of meat that they are consuming due to the increase in vegetarian food at grocery stores and restaurants."

And veggie burgers aren't just for vegetarians anymore. Cynthia Vigliotti is an instructor in the English department and is an adventurous omnivore who attended the Earth Day Vegan Dinner, which was catered by Ely's To Go.

She said that most of the diners were not of the vegetarian persuasion, but seemed to enjoy the food just as much as she did. Vigliotti added that the Earth Day Dinner was "about the best meal I've had in my entire life."

But a lot of people are still reluctant to try vegetarian versions of meats because of the horror stories they have heard about tofu.

Dan Frankland, a senior biology and electrical engineering student, does admit that vegan meats used to be kind of gross. He has been vegetarian for eight years but was vegan during the first. He said back then vegan meats, Gardenburger Chik'n Patties in particular, had an "offensive smoky flavor." The crucial taste factor, plus the scarcity of vegan foods made vegetarianism a simpler option for a while.

Frankland is vegan again since last month and said "it's easier now because stuff tastes better."

Companies like Gardenburger have started to "put more effort into making stuff taste good," like Gardenburger's Chipotle Black Bean vegan burgers.

What should you serve?

Kifolo recommends marinating vegetables such as onions, tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini, and tofu in balsamic vinaigrette before grilling, and serving however you see fit.

Kuzman would provide vegan BBQ riblets, coleslaw, raw vegetables with hummus, and Oreos and chocolate cake in addition to the standard veggie dogs and salad.

Dr. Cynthia Hirtzel of the Engineering department, who has been vegetarian her whole life and vegan for the last 25 years, suggests a salad bar, rice and beans, vegetable pizza and various Middle Eastern foods.

Samantha Kulkarni, an international student and lifelong vegetarian, said an Indian themed cookout would include biryani, rice with spicy vegetables; paneer, an Indian version of tofu made from milk; pavbhaji and paratha, Indian breads; and pickled vegetables.

Still hesitant?

If you're not too keen on reserving grill space for vegetarian food, you could have the vegetarian part of your cookout catered by a local veggie-friendly eatery.

Jessica Romeo, chef of the Flaming Ice Cube, a vegan restaurant located on Route 224 in Boardman, said menu items such as vegan macaroni or potato salad and the popular Barbeque Chicken-free can be purchased by the quart. The Flaming Ice Cube's homemade vegan burgers can also be purchased frozen at $2.50 each. For more information call 330-726-4766.

Ely Pugh, chef and owner of Ely's To Go, a vegan take out and catering located inside The Bread Chef on Western Reserve Road, offers soy-free black rice burgers, sweet and white potato salad, quinoa salad and cupcakes. For more information call 330-729-9900

For a Middle Eastern themed meal, try Aladdin's, located on South Avenue, vegetarian and vegan carryout options. Owner Laurie Chamoun suggests serving hummos and baba as dips for raw veggies and pita chips. She also said that a tray of vegetarian rolled pitas involves "very easy cleanup." For more information call 330-629-6450.