Sweet Summertime: How to Grill Fruit

Summer is here, and the grills are hot! Savory is usually the main course option, but this season, let’s add a little sweetness to your grilling menu. While you may not think of fruit as something to throw on the grill, it is simple, fresh-tasting, and delicious. The smoky flavor from the grill creates a mouthwatering addition to salads, desserts, and appetizers.

Let’s choose a fruit!

Apple		– Sliced ½-inch thick, medium heat, 2-3 minutes on each side.
Apricot		– Halved and pitted, medium heat, 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
Banana		– Halved lengthwise, medium heat, 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
Cherry		– Stemmed, pitted and skewered, medium heat, 2 to 3 minutes on each side.
Fig		– Whole, medium heat, 2 to 3 minutes on each side.
Mango		– Seeded and cut into 4 wedges, medium heat, 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
Nectarine		– Halved and pitted, medium heat, 4 to 5 minutes on each side.
Papaya		– Seeded and cut into 4 wedges, medium heat, 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
Peach		– Halved and pitted, medium heat, 4 to 5 minutes on each side.
Pear		– Halved and cored, medium heat, 5 to 6 minutes on each side.
Pineapple		– Peeled and cut into lengthwise eighths, medium heat, 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
Tomato		– Sliced 1 inch thick, medium heat, 2 to 3 minutes on each side.

A Selection is Made…

Grilled fruit is versatile and can take almost any dish to the next level. Selecting the best fruit doesn’t have to be difficult. Choose fruit that is slightly firm and can hold up to the grill — overripe and mushy fruit will fall apart. Check out our handy guide to experience your favorite produce At Season’s Peak.

Start the Grill!

After your selection is made, make sure you prepare your grill. Whether using an indoor or outdoor grill, you always want to make sure the grate is clean. Coat fruit with cooking spray or neutral oils, such as light olive oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, avocado oil, or grapeseed oil. This will help the fruit release from the grate. Try to look for oils with light to no flavor. Grill the fruit on medium heat (about 375°F) for 1-2 minutes before moving or turning to help get a good sear. The heat caramelizes the natural sugars in the fruit, and may weaken the structure. To make the fruit easier to handle it may help to cut it into chunks and place on skewers.

Grilled fruit is so versatile that it not only makes a great dessert topper, but is delicious as a side dish or paired with many different varieties of savory foods. Here are some meal ideas to try with grilled fruit:

• Add to your salads
• Top your grilled meats
• Mix in kabob skewers
• Use on grilled pizza
• Serve with ice cream
• Wrap with bacon for a sweet and savory flavor
• Add to a cheese platter with different varieties of cheese and dips
• Serve with yogurt-based dips
• Mix a variety together to make a grilled fruit salad
• Make a fruit salsa

Check out some recipes on Pinterest and Publix.com, and have fun playing with all the possibilities grilled fruit has to offer!

Pick your favorite seasonal fruit and give it a try. Go bananas! Or peaches, or maybe pears. Whichever you choose, let us know your favorite combination!