Father's Day tends to be the first official family get-together weekend of the summer, involving hot charcoal and lemonade and typically way too many unidentifiable meats. How to keep it healthy when the picnic table seems to be buckling under the weight of mayonnaise and grease? Turn your grill vegetarian and hit up the fam with healthy fare this holiday with these great ideas for cramming more veggies into your weekend.

• One of my favorite things on the grill is marinated portabello mushrooms, which, if prepared correctly, taste a LOT like sirloin. Just throw some mushroom caps into a bowl or ziploc bag with four simple ingredients: 4 parts olive oil, 2 parts chopped garlic, 1 part balsamic vinegar and a healthy amount of freshly ground pepper. Throw on a hot part of the grill and cook until the mushroom starts to get a little soft, occasionally basting with some of the marinating liquid (unlike marinating meat, you can reuse veggie marinades to baste). Throw on a bun with a little salt to taste and you've got a passable steak burger!

• The folks from Fruit and Veggie Guru have some amazing ideas for grilling veggies and fruit, like this idea for a Vidalia onion, grilled eggplant with pomegranate sauce, and wouldn't grilled pears with currants sound divine for dessert?

• Need a fresh green salad? Toss some romaine right on the grill, just like the top chefs in the big cities.

• In general, marinating things keeps the calories down, throws a bunch of flavor in and also, protects food from harmful carcinogens. And it doesn't get any easier than grilling some marinated zucchini.

• Need some protein? Try a real grilled cheese: pita bread with fresh mozzarella and some harissa tossed onto low coals for a goopy, crispy delicious treat.

• Ok, keep the peace and a few turkey burgers on hand for the staunch meat and potatoes types in the crowd.

• For dessert, try opening up the natural sweetness of fruit by throwing on some peaches, pineapple or even these delicious fire-grilled plums with honey.
  

Are you running for the lighter fluid yet?