Why we’ll be flipping caulis on the BBQ this summer

NEVER mind burgers, this summer more of us will be throwing a ‘cauli’ on the barbie.

Stores are tapping into a move away from red meat by offering specialist vegetarian products for the barbecue.

Slices of cauliflower are sold to be chargrilled as an alternative to burgers, while chunks of the vegetable are being dressed up as buffalo chicken wings.

Along with its cauliflower with buffalo dressing, Waitrose is also selling sweet potato burgers, portobello mushroom burgers, and vegetable and halloumi skewers.

Marks & Spencer has also created a red lentil version of the traditional lamb kofta, while Tesco’s meat- free options include sweet potato falafel and vegetarian sausage rolls. The move comes as more shoppers adopt a ‘flexitarian’ approach to eating, choosing much less meat in favour of veggie alternatives. Research by Waitrose found 80 per cent of its shoppers buying vegetarian dishes consider themselves to be meat eaters.

Waitrose buyer Tom Moore said: ‘Barbecue shouldn’t just be about meat. We’ve seen a huge trend for veggie options.’