Nana’s Colorful Halloumi and Vegetable Skewers

These colourful skewers are such a pretty dish to make, especially when you’re entertaining or planning a summer BBQ. There’s something wonderfully cheerful about threading all those bright vegetables onto skewers, the red cherry tomatoes, sunshine-yellow and orange baby capsicums, and creamy white halloumi all lined up together.

Children absolutely love helping with this recipe, and they can manage most of the threading with minimal supervision.

I’ve been making these for years, and they never fail to impress at family gatherings. The halloumi is the star here, it’s that lovely squeaky cheese that doesn’t melt away when you cook it. Instead, it forms a beautiful golden crust on the outside while staying soft and warm inside.

Paired with the sweetness of the grilled vegetables and finished with a drizzle of homemade vinaigrette, these halloumi and vegetable skewers are absolutely delicious, whether served warm or at room temperature.

This is one of those recipes that works beautifully for so many occasions. They’re perfect for a casual weekend lunch, elegant enough for a dinner party, and make wonderful additions to picnic hampers or lunchboxes.

The best part? You can prepare them hours ahead and simply pop them on the BBQ or under the grill when you’re ready to cook. I found some lovely bamboo skewers at Woolworths that work perfectly. Just remember to soak them in water for about 20 minutes before using, so they don’t burn.

Ingredients

For the Skewers:

• 400g halloumi cheese, cut into 2cm cubes

• 250g cherry tomatoes

• 200g baby capsicums (mixed colours), halved if large

• 150g baby onions, peeled

• 2 medium zucchini, sliced into 2cm rounds

• 3 tablespoons olive oil

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 8–10 bamboo or metal skewers

For the Homemade Vinaigrette:

• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar or lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

• 1 clove garlic, crushed

• 1 teaspoon honey

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Fresh herbs (basil, oregano, or parsley), finely chopped

Method:

1. Prepare your skewers: If using bamboo skewers, soak them in water for 20 minutes to prevent burning. Meanwhile, prepare all vegetables and cut the halloumi into even cubes.

2. Blanch the baby onions: Place the onions in boiling water for 3–4 minutes to soften slightly. Drain and allow to cool.

3. Make the vinaigrette: In a jar or bowl, combine olive oil, vinegar (or lemon juice), Dijon mustard, garlic, honey, salt, pepper, and herbs. Shake or whisk well. Set aside.

4. Thread the skewers: Thread vegetables and halloumi in a colourful pattern. I like to alternate: cherry tomato, halloumi, capsicum, zucchini, onion, then repeat. Leave small gaps for even cooking.

5. Brush with olive oil: Place skewers on a tray, brush generously with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.

6. Cook the skewers: Preheat the BBQ or griller to medium-high heat. Cook for 10–12 minutes, turning every 2–3 minutes until the halloumi is golden and the vegetables are tender with slight charring.

7. Finish with vinaigrette: Transfer to a serving platter and drizzle generously with vinaigrette while hot.

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Serving Suggestions and Storage

These skewers are absolutely gorgeous served warm or at room temperature, making them perfect for buffets and picnics.

Serve with:

• Fresh green salad

• Crusty bread

• Grilled chicken or lamb

For a vegetarian feast, pair with couscous or rice pilaf, tzatziki, or hummus. The colours are so vibrant, they make your table look absolutely festive!

Make-Ahead Tips

You can thread the skewers up to 6 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate until ready to cook. The vinaigrette can be made 2–3 days in advance, just shake before using.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2–3 days. Delicious cold or gently reheated.

Gift Idea

Perfect for BBQs or potlucks, arrange on a platter with a small jar of vinaigrette on the side.

You can also swap in seasonal vegetables like mushrooms, eggplant, or sweet potato (just par-cook first).

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Enjoy making these colourful skewers with your family, they’re sure to bring smiles to the table!

Love!

Nana