Grilled Vegetable Spread for #LaborDay #SundaySupper

Name: Grilled Vegetable Spread
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 6 people
Ingredients: 4 garlic cloves; 1 small zucchini; 1 small yellow squash; 1 medium onion; 1 red bell pepper; olive oil; 8 ounces cream cheese (at room temperature); Salt and fresh ground pepper; Sliced bread or crackers for serving

September 2, 2012 By Renee 57 Comments

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Happy Labor Day weekend! It sure is nice to have an extra day to relax or do whatever. Some folks consider it the end of summer but I am hanging on until it is officially over. No one is going to cut my summer short. I’ll be in shorts and flip flops until it is too cold to wear them any longer. Anyway, it is a big weekend for grilling, cookouts, and picnics. I made a great appetizer of grilled vegetable spread just for the occasion.

I do love to grill. Something about the flavor from grilling really does it for me. The smell of something cooking on the grill gets me hungry every time – even if I just ate. I have had it happen lots of times when my neighbors grill. All I want to do is stay outside and take in deep breaths. Then I go in and chow on something. It also ignites a craving that is not satisfied until I get to eat what I smelled cooking, steaks especially.

Grilled vegetables are so good. They only take a few minutes to cook. I usually throw them on the grill when the meat is resting. Then it is all done at the same time. For the grilled vegetable spread, you will grill them ahead and then let them cool completely. You also need to make this spread a day in advance because it is better the next day. So first comes the veggies:

After the vegetables cool it is a quick process and you are done. The recipe is adapted from one by Alton Brown on the Food Network website. I grilled the vegetables instead of roasting. The smokey flavor from the grill takes it to another delicious level.

How about more Labor Day recipes? The Sunday Supper team has lots to share. We have everything you need from cocktails to desserts:

Starters & Snacks

Lobster Salad with Avocado, Corn and Tomatoes by The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
Grilled Vegetable Spread by Magnolia Days
Toast Topper #8: Tomato Confit by What Smells So Good
Honey BBQ Wings and Cool Ranch by Big Bears Wife
Finger Lickin’ Chicken Drumettes by Noshing with the Nolands

Main Dishes

Baked Shrimp and Pasta Caprese by Mama’s Blissful Bites
Korean chili by Crispy Bits & Burnt Ends
Newfangled Cowtown White Chicken Chili by Shockingly Delicious
Strawberry BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches by The Weekend Gourmet
Smoked Pork Butt (A How-To) by Juanita’s Cocina
Spicy Seoulful Pulled Pork Sandwiches by Kimchi Mom
Soy Glazed Chicken Thighs by The Messy Baker Blog
Stuffed Green Chili con Queso Cheeseburger Sliders by Damn Delicious
Adana kebab by Small Wallet, Big Appetite
Portabello Paninis by The Hand That Rocks the Ladle
Bloody Mary Skirt Steak by From Fast Food to Fresh Food
Tuna and Roasted Pepper Packets by Cindy’s Recipes & Writings
Mint Marinated Beef Kabobs with Garlic Sauce by Sustainable Dad
Creamy Latin Style Pasta by Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
Spicy Portuguese Style Sliders by Daily Dish Recipes
Aromatic Glazed Salmon by Happy Baking Days
Pork sliders by Basic ‘N Delicious
Foil Packet Chicken by In the Kitchen with Audrey

Salads & Sides

Mom’s Savory Pork’n’Beans by Webicurean
Ranch Potato Salad by My Catholic Kitchen
Gluten Free Penne hot salad with basil, asparagus, cherry tomatoes fresh mozzarella and chicken with a mustard vinaigrette by Cooking Underwriter
Southern Surprise Potato Salad by Granny’s Down Home Southern Cooking
Marinated Ginger Chicken & Spinach Salad by Kwistin’s Favorites
Roasted Potato & Corn Salad w/ Bacon by GirliChef
Vegan Caprese Salad by Galactosemia in PDX
Picnic Friendly Grilled Vegetable Salad by Mama Mommy Mom
Smokin Hot Caribbean Spiced Corn-On-The-Cob by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
Potato salad with Stilton and bacon by Tora’s Real Food
Tomato Feta Orzo Salad by Family Foodie

Drinks

Frozen Sangria by Supper For a Steal
Persian mint & cucumber cooler (sekanjabeen) by Family Spice

Desserts

Lightened lemon pound cake by The Meltaways
Root Beer Float Cupcakes by Chocolate Moosey
Strawberry Cream Squares by Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
Fresh Mango Pie by La Cocina De Leslie
Brown Butter M&M Cookies by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Gluten Free Lemon Blondies by No One Likes Crumbley Cookies
Blueberry Lemon Cream Cheese Coffee Cake by Baker Street
Strawberry Pie + White Sangria by Vintage Kitchen Notes
Grilled Banana Splits by Diabetic Foodie
Easy Desserts: Frozen Chocolate Bananas by Home Cooking Memories
Ice Cream Sandwich Cake by Comfy Cuisine
Blueberry Lemon Whoopie Pies for a Holiday Cookout by In the Kitchen with KP

Wine Pairings

Labor Day Cookout Food And Wine Pairings by ENOFYLZ

So many wonderful recipes to try! Every week I am inspired and amazed by my fellow Sunday Supper bloggers. It is a true highlight of my week to see what each one of them brings to our virtual table.

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET and this week it is all about Labor Day food and fun. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. We love to pin recipes and photos so be sure to follow our #SundaySupper Pinterest board too.

How do you spend your Labor Day holiday? Do you relax and kick back or take the day to get some things done? I like to take it easy, grill a good meal, and enjoy it with a nice wine. Sharing it with family and friends makes it even more special. May your holiday be filled with fun, food, family, friends, and more!