What's Hot This Summer: Grilled Fruit!

Nothing says, “Summer is here,” like the smoky smell of hamburgers and hot dogs on the barbecue. But while the grill has traditionally been reserved for meat, we think it’s time to add a new addition to the mix — say hello to grilled fruit! Sure, you’ve probably thrown a few slices of red peppers in with your chicken, but have you ever grilled fruit all on its own?

Tips for First Time Grillers

When you throw fruit on the grill, the sugars in it caramelize — meaning you’re left with an even sweeter piece of fruit. If it’s your first time grilling fruit, here are a few ways to get the most out of your food.

• Coat the grill rack with nonstick spray. You don’t want your fruit to stick to the grill!
• Grill your fruit over indirect heat. Direct heat or hot coals will likely burn your fruit.
• Make them into fruit kebabs! Mix it up and skewer your fruit to enjoy a unique and tasty grilled treat.
• Keep an eye on your fruit. Unlike burgers, fruit only takes a few minutes to grill.
• When cutting fruit, go big. To prevent fruit from falling apart or sliding through the grates of the grill, cut it into larger pieces.

Watermelon

Whether as a side dish or incorporated into a salad, grilled watermelon spices up any meal. To get the most out of your meal, lightly sprinkle both sides of a slice of watermelon with salt and leave it on a rack to drain. After 30 minutes, run the watermelon under cold water and pat it with a dry paper towel. Brush the watermelon with olive oil and leave it on the grill for about 5 minutes.

Peaches

Fruits that have an outer skin are some of the best for grilling. If you’re grilling peaches, look for ones that are firm and fragrant. Peaches make a delicious side to any meal, or as a dessert along with ice cream.

Strawberries

When it comes to grilling, don’t forget about the smaller fruits. Stick a few strawberries on a skewer and watch as they gather that sweet, smoky flavor. Get everyone involved in the grilling fun by putting out a bowl of different fruits and letting people make their own fruit kabobs. Each one only takes about seven minutes to grill.

Cantaloupe

Most of us can’t get our hands on enough cantaloupe, so it’s usually gone before we’ve even had the chance to think about grilling it. Whether you grill it in slices with the skin still on it or cut it into small cubes and stick it on a skewer, there’s no wrong way to grill cantaloupe.

Grapefruit

Who says the grill should only be used for dinner? With just a grilled grapefruit, a pinch of brown sugar, and a scoop of plain yogurt, you’ve got yourself a meal that's simple and tasty.

Cherries

Grilled cherries (especially sour ones) go just as well on top of a sundae as they do in a cocktail. These probably won’t fit on a skewer though, so you may want to use a grilling basket.

Have you tried grilling fruits before? Do you have any recipes to take the flavors up a notch? Share them with us on our Facebook page!