Robin's Healthy Take: Grilled Fruit Skewers

Robin miller's tips for better grilled fruit, plus a simple recipe for lemony fruit skewers.
Fruit Skewers

The grill isn't just for savory foods: When you grill fruit, it becomes exceptionally sweet and tender. Whether it’s for dessert, a sweet salsa or smoky chutney, summer fruits like peaches, nectarines, plums, pineapple and larger berries like strawberries are excellent when grilled. Get my tips for better grilled fruit, plus a simple recipe for lemony fruit skewers.

Tips: Better Grilled Fruit

You can place sliced fruit directly on the grill,  as long as it’s clean and free of the flavors from the evening meal!  You may also use a basket designed for grilling smaller items (like vegetables and shellfish) or, as I’ve done below, you can grill on a large piece of aluminum foil. When using a charcoal grill, I like to poke several holes in the foil to allow the smoky flavor to come through.  No matter how you do it, just make sure you take advantage of the summer’s best flavors.

Honey-Lemon Grilled Fruit Kebabs

Note: Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 15 minutes before using to prevent them from burning.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon honey

2 nectarines, peaches or plums, or a combination, pitted and cut into 2-inch pieces

1 large banana, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
12-16 small strawberries, hulled
1 cup cubed fresh or canned pineapple in juice

Directions:

Preheat and outdoor grill or stove-top grill pan to medium-high.

Combine butter, lemon juice and honey in a small saucepan and set pan over medium-low heat.  Cook just until butter melts.  Set aside.

Skewer alternating pieces of fruit onto metal or wooden skewers.  Brush butter mixture all over fruit.  Place fruit on a piece of foil and place foil on hot grill.  Using a fork, poke holes in the foil to allow some smoky flavor to come through.  Grill 5 minutes, or until fruit softens, turning once or twice during cooking. Serves 4

 Robin Miller is a nutritionist, host of Quick Fix Meals, author of “Robin Rescues Dinner” and the busy mom of two active little boys. Her boys and great food are her passion. Check her out at www.robinrescuesdinner.com.

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