Tomatoes, peppers, zucchini and aubergines are hardy summer standbys for those of a vegetarian disposition or who feel like a meatless day.
Cut up with a red onion or so and tossed on the hotplate of the barbie with a sprinkling of olive oil they make a great warm Mediterranean salad, or follow the Italianate recipes (left).
You could go either way on wine with food like this although perhaps a lighter red might be the answer: a sangiovese, perhaps or a Montepulciano d'Abruzzo.
Or if you prefer to stay local, try a merlot.
The movie Sideways has a lot to answer for on the faltering reputation of this varietal, but there are many excellent Kiwi examples of this wine, particularly coming out of Hawkes Bay.
Goldridge Estate, which has its headquarters in Matakana north of Auckland, aims to craft high quality, elegant and approachable wines, including "all the key wines of New Zealand".
The Goldridge Estate Premium Reserve Hawkes Bay Merlot 2008 is a good example of the range coming in at a relatively affordable RRP of $18.95.
Ripe cherries and rich dark blackberryish colours and aromas predominate in a wine which has a touch of cabernet franc and malbec added.
I usually reckon you can get better value for money on Australian reds, but this doesn't always apply to merlot which accommodates itself well to our cooler climate.
Marlborough produces reasonable merlot, too: look out for Montana reserve, Stoneleigh, Saint Clair and Spy Valley all of which will set you back somewhere around $20-$25.