50+ Lifestyles

Grilled Fruit for Dessert

By Beth Freehill, MS, RD, LD
Hy-Vee Registered Dietician
Clinton Hy-Vee
563-243-6162

The natural sugars in fruits caramelize when grilled, giving the fruit a unique sweet and rich flavor.

When grilling out this summer, don’t forget the dessert. Grilled fruit is delicious, healthy, simple to prepare and the perfect ending to a summer barbeque.

Fruit is ideal for grilling. The natural sugars in fruits caramelize when grilled, giving the fruit a unique sweet and rich flavor. Just like meat, fruit may be marinated or glazed for added flavor with fruit preserves or seasoned with spices such as cinnamon or ginger. Fruit suitable for grilling includes pineapple, peaches, plums, nectarines, apples, mangoes, pears and bananas.

The most important thing to remember when grilling fruit is to watch it closely when on the grill. Most ripe fruit will only take one to two minutes on each side to cook. The only preparation necessary is that fruits such as peaches, plums and apples need to be cut in half and the seeds or pit removed; pineapple needs to be cut into thick slices. Skins may be left on to help hold the fruit together. Pick a fresh, firm fruit that is close to being ripe for best results.

Another tip for grilling fruit is to start with a clean grill grate and use medium heat or coals. Lightly spray fruit with cooking spray to avoid fruit sticking to the grate.

Cook a healthy and delicious dessert on the grill this summer with the following recipe.

Grilled Fruit Salad
Serves 12 (1/2 cup each)

All you need:
? cup Hy-Vee honey
2 tablespoons Grand Selections balsamic vinegar
? teaspoon Hy-Vee vanilla extract
2 nectarines, halved, pitted
1 pineapple, peeled, cored, sliced into rings
1 cup halved strawberries
1 cup green grapes
1 (11 oz) can Hy-Vee mandarin oranges

All you do:
1. Whisk together honey, vinegar and vanilla extract. Dip nectarines and pineapple rings into honey sauce. Reserve remaining sauce.
2. Grill nectarines and pineapple over medium heat until heated through, about 4 minutes. Cool.
3. Cut nectarines and rings into bite-size pieces. Combine with strawberries, grapes and oranges in a large bowl. Drizzle in remaining honey mixture. Stir gently to combine.
Nutrition Facts per serving: 70 calories, 0g total fat, 0g saturated fat, 0g trans fat, 0mg cholesterol, 0mg sodium, 19g total carbohydrate, 1g dietary fiber, 16g sugars, 1g protein

Source: www.hy-vee.com

This information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.