Highball Summer Vegetable Skewers with Sesame-Ginger Dressing

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-01 · Updated 2026-04-01

A vibrant vegetarian dish featuring charred seasonal vegetables coated in a light sesame-ginger dressing, served with a refreshing cilantro-lime rice salad. This american-inspired vegetarian ready in about 25 minutes blends medium zucchini, large yellow bell pepper, medium red onion into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 290 calories and feeds 2, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 medium zucchini
• 1/2 large yellow bell pepper
• 1/2 medium red onion
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 cup cooked jasmine rice

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cut zucchini, bell pepper, and red onion into 3/4-inch chunks. Thread onto skewers alternating with cherry tomatoes.
2. Step 2: Brush skewers with 1 tsp sesame oil and sprinkle with 1/4 tsp salt. Grill over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until vegetables are tender-crisp and slightly charred.
3. Step 3: Whisk rice vinegar, remaining 1 tsp sesame oil, sesame seeds, and 1 tbsp water in a small bowl until emulsified.
4. Step 4: Toss cooked jasmine rice with chopped cilantro, 1 tbsp lime juice, and 1/4 tsp salt until combined.
5. Step 5: Serve skewers warm over rice salad, drizzling with sesame-ginger dressing just before serving.