Step 1: Prepare the Marinade

In a small bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients: extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, dried oregano, dried basil, optional red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is well-combined and slightly thickened (emulsified). Set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables

Wash and thoroughly dry all your vegetables. Uniformity is key for even cooking, so aim to chop all your vegetables into roughly the same size, about 1 to 1.5 inches.

• Peppers: Core, seed, and cut into 1-inch squares.

• Onion: Peel and cut into wedges, then separate the layers into 1-2 layer pieces that are easy to skewer.

• Zucchini & Yellow Squash: Trim the ends and slice into ½-inch thick rounds. If the squash is very wide, you can cut the rounds in half to create half-moons.

• Mushrooms: Gently wipe clean with a damp paper towel. Leave them whole or cut them in half if they are particularly large.

• Cherry Tomatoes: Leave them whole.

Step 3: Marinate the Vegetables

Place all your chopped vegetables into a large mixing bowl or a large zip-top bag. Pour about two-thirds of the prepared marinade over the vegetables. Gently toss everything together until every piece is evenly coated. Reserve the remaining one-third of the marinade for basting later. Let the vegetables marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature, or for up to 4 hours in the refrigerator for a deeper flavor.

Step 4: Assemble the Skewers

If you are using wooden skewers, make sure they have been soaked in water for at least 30 minutes. This prevents them from burning during cooking.

Begin threading the marinated vegetables onto the skewers. Create a colorful pattern, alternating between different vegetables (e.g., bell pepper, onion, zucchini, mushroom, tomato). Leave a small space (about ¼ inch) between each vegetable to allow for even heat circulation and cooking. Also, leave about 1-2 inches of empty space at both ends of the skewer for easy handling.

Step 5: Cook the Skewers (Choose Your Method)

You have several great options for cooking your veggie skewers to perfection.

Method 1: On the Grill (Recommended)

1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 400-450°F or 200-230°C). Clean the grill grates and lightly oil them to prevent sticking.

2. Place the skewers directly on the grates.

3. Grill for about 10-15 minutes, turning every 3-4 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and have beautiful char marks.

4. During the last few minutes of grilling, brush the skewers with the reserved marinade for an extra burst of flavor.

Method 2: In the Oven

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).

2. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

3. Arrange the skewers on the baking sheet in a single layer, ensuring they don’t touch.

4. Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping the skewers halfway through the cooking time.

5. For extra browning, you can switch the oven to the broil setting for the last 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning. Brush with reserved marinade before serving.

Method 3: In the Air Fryer

1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).

2. Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you may need to cut your skewers to fit or cook them in batches.

3. Place the skewers in the air fryer basket in a single layer.

4. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until tender and slightly charred.