Grill vegetables without a basket? Just use skewers or a foil packet.

Absolutely — you don’t need a grill basket.

The basic problem is that small vegetables fall through the grates. Two easy solutions:

Skewers. Soak wooden skewers in water for 20 minutes (so they don’t burn). Thread asparagus spears or zucchini slices lengthwise or through the middle. Now you can flip a bunch at once. Works great.

Foil packet. Toss your veggies with oil, salt, pepper, maybe garlic. Wrap tightly in heavy-duty foil. Throw it on the grill for 10–15 minutes, shaking halfway. You get steamed-roasted veggies with no basket required. Less char, still good.

If you want grill marks directly on the grates: cut zucchini into long planks (quarter-inch thick) and spear asparagus crosswise on two skewers to make a “raft.” Place perpendicular to grates. Oil the grates well first. Turn carefully with tongs — don’t rush.

Basket is nice. Not necessary.