Buzz
If you're grilling with charcoal, a charcoal chimney is a must-have. While you can heat your coals without it, a chimney significantly speeds up the process and ensures your coals stay consistently scorching every time. It still takes about 30 minutes for the coals to reach a white-hot state ready for grilling. Rather than idly waiting, why not grill some vegetables during that time?
When setting up your charcoal, let it rest in the chimney until the smoke dissipates and the top layer of coals turns white and ashy (approximately two-thirds of the coals should be ashed over). Even before reaching the perfect grilling temperature, those coals are still hot, allowing you to quickly char delicate, tender vegetables like asparagus, broccolini, thinly sliced squash, peppers, and any other plant that responds well to a blast of intense heat. Hardier vegetables like potatoes and carrots aren't ideal, but cucumbers (or pickles) are a great option.
Start your charcoal chimney as usual: Fill it with charcoal and place it over a lit lighter cube. Let the chimney work its magic. Once the smoke clears and you can see a glowing red light beneath the top layer of coals (with the top layer just beginning to ash over), place a wire rack on top of the chimney and prepare your vegetables. (Don’t try this too early, or you might notice an unpleasant flavor in your food.) If your wire rack warps, don't worry. You can reshape it by pressing on it while it's still hot. Just be sure to use heat-resistant gloves.
I quickly tossed some asparagus in olive oil, sprinkled them generously with salt, and placed them on the wire rack. After about a minute, I flipped them once, and they developed a perfect char and bent just a little when I picked them up with tongs. It was quick, it was delicious. The stalks had a sweet, smoky flavor, yet still maintained a fresh taste. The brief heat softened the rawness, while still preserving their vibrant, green qualities.
Once your vegetables are done, your charcoal should be ready for grilling. Dump it onto the charcoal grate and carry on with your grilling plan, which remains unchanged except for the fact that you now have tasty grilled vegetables to enjoy as a snack.
