Leaf wraps are a natural for the grill

In the beautiful economy of the forest -- or the urban backyard garden -- leaves are nature's brilliant cookware. Banana leaves can be cut down to make plates or unfurled into wrappers perfect for steaming fish on a low-slung grill. Fig trees and grapevines yield leaves the exact size for enclosing, then grilling, a cube of feta, a recumbent sardine or a mint-studded lamb meatball.

By Amy Scattergood

August 6, 2008