While some may beg to differ, grilling doesn't have to be all about the meat.  In this recipe, Sharon Palmer of Plant Powered for Life (http://www.sharonpalmer.com/) offers up a delicious chimichurri marinated vegetarian skewer recipe featuring fresh vegetables and seitan, a wheat gluten meat substitute.

CHIMICHURRI SEITAN VEGETABLE SKEWER

Makes 4 servings (1 skewer each)

Preparation Time:

Active preparation time: 18 minutes

Total preparation time: 34 minutes (not including marinating time)

"Chimichurri is an Argentinian sauce traditionally used with grilled meats. I borrowed this herbal, tangy sauce to flavor my seitan vegetable skewers. Just thread chunks of summer squash, onions, bell pepper, and seitan on skewers and grill them for a “meaty”, show-stopping entrée at your next party or backyard barbeque." - Sharon Palmer

Ingredients

2 medium cloves garlic

1 cup packed cilantro leaves

½ cup packed parsley leaves

2 medium lemons, juiced

2 small limes, juiced

1 ½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoons agave nectar

1 8-ounce container seitan, plain, sliced

1 medium onion, sliced in wedges

1 small summer squash (i.e., crookneck or zucchini), sliced thickly

1 medium bell pepper, sliced thickly

Instructions

1. Place garlic, cilantro and parsley in the container of a food processor. Process just until finely chopped (but not liquefied). Place in a small mixing bowl.

2. Add lemon and lime juice, oil and agave nectar, combining well.

3. Prepare 4 skewers on metal or wooden skewers, using slices of seitan, onions, squash and pepper.

4. Place skewers in a large, shallow dish. Pour marinade over skewers and chill for one hour.

5. Heat grill and cook skewers about 8 – 10 minutes on each side, until vegetables are crisp tender.

* Seitan is a wheat gluten meat substitute that is available in many supermarkets and natural food stores in the refrigerated section.

* Variations: May substitute mushrooms or eggplant for summer squash.

* Gluten-free: Substitute firm tofu for seitan.

Nutritional Information per Serving: Calories: 189, Protein: 17 g, Carbohdyrate: 22 g,

Fat: 7 g, Saturated Fat: 1 g, Fiber: 6 g, Sugar: 9 g, Sodium: 293 mg

Star Nutrients: Vitamin B6, folate, vitamin C, vitamin A, iron, potassium

Recipe from Plant-Powered for Life by Sharon Palmer, RDN