Grilling brings out sweet flavor in fruits

Hunks of juicy meat aren’t the only things you can throw on the barbecue this time of year, think about putting some grill marks on peaches, cantaloupe, nectarines and even grapes.

Grilling fruit can be a great way to enjoy the best of the season’s bounty. Some may ask, why grill fruit when you can just as easily enjoy it fresh?

Jonathon Perkins, executive chef for Erna’s Elderberry House in Oakhurst, Calif., says the hot coals or gas grill caramelize the sugars in the fruit, creating a smoky sweetness.

“It adds a nice texture and flavor to a dish,” Perkins says.

Grilled fruit can be eaten as is, with ice cream or combined in a recipe for a new taste. It’s also another way to add healthy food to your diet.

For starters, pick fruit that is ripe but firm. For tree fruit, some like to slice the fruit in half, remove the pit and place on the grill cut side down. You can also quarter the fruit.

Skewers also work well for combining several pieces of fruit at once, such as pineapple, mango, tree fruit and grapes.

Personal chef Wendy Carroll, of Seasoned To Taste in Fresno, Calif., says to make sure you clean the grill before placing the fruit on the grate to avoid unwanted flavors. And brush a little oil on the grill to keep the fruit from sticking.

Depending on the fruit, it may take just a few minutes on medium heat to get those great looking grill marks.

Farmer and cookbook author Nikiko Masumoto likes to go a little longer, about six to seven minutes, when she grills her halved peaches or nectarines.

“If your fruit is really ripe, the nectar of the fruit will start to boil up and pool where the pit used to be,” Masumoto says. “After that, pull them off and drop a scoop of vanilla ice cream on them. And they will taste so good.”

Jo Ann Sorrenti, owner of Sierra Nut House in Fresno, grills peaches, apricots, and nectarines. Sierra Nut House chef Adrianna Oropeza recently prepared grilled peaches with an almond-paste filling and blueberries.

Grapes are also good for grilling, says Courtney Romano, registered dietitian for the California Table Grape Commission in Fresno.

Romano grills grapes in small bunches, or on skewers. Just apply a small amount of oil and season lightly with salt and pepper. Place on the grill for about two minutes, or until they start to soften and caramelize.

Grilled Peaches with Almond Paste Filling and Blueberries

Serves: 12

From Sierra Nut House

6 peaches, cut in half

1/4 cup butter, room temperature

1/2 cup blueberries

1/4 cup caramel

Mint leaves

Filling:

1/2 cup cream cheese

1/2 cup ricotta cheese

1/4 honey

1/2 powder sugar

4 oz. almond paste

Rum, to taste

Brush peaches with butter and grill until softened. Mix all filling ingredients in a food processor till creamy and fluffy. Drizzle plate with caramel, one slice of grilled peach, one scoop of creamy filling atop of grilled peach and garnish with blueberries and mint.

Prosciutto-Wrapped Grilled Grapes

Serves: 4

From the California Table Grape Commission

1/2 pound large seedless grapes, rinsed, with stems removed (about 2 cups)

1/4 pound prosciutto, thinly sliced

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, minced

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4 teaspoon black pepper, ground

wooden picks or skewers, soaked in water to prevent burning

Wrap grapes with small pieces of prosciutto about 1-inch wide by 3-inches long. Skewer each grape with a pick, securing prosciutto. Repeat until all grapes are used. Set aside.

In small bowl, combine oil, rosemary, garlic and pepper. Lightly brush wrapped grapes with seasoned oil. Grapes can be prepared to this point, refrigerated and then cooked when ready to serve.

Heat gas grill to medium, then grill grapes, about 2 minutes per side. Prosciutto should be crisp, and grapes warmed through. Drizzle with additional oil if desired and serve hot.

Grilled Grapes, Strawberry and Mango Skewers With Honey-Orange Glaze

Serves: 4

From the California

Table Grape Commission

8 bamboo skewers, soaked in water

1 cup green seedless grapes

1 cup red or blue-black seedless grapes

1 mango, cut into chunks

12 strawberries, cut in half

1/2 cup honey

1 tablespoon orange zest

1/4 cup orange juice

1 tablespoon fresh chopped mint

Prepare grill or broiler. Skewer fruit, alternating grapes with mango and strawberries. Mix honey, orange zest, orange juice and salt. Both fruit skewers and glaze should be at room temperature before grilling. Grill skewers over hot coals until lightly browned on each side, about 2-4 minutes per side. Brush fruit with glaze and sprinkle with mint. Serve warm.

Grilled Stone Fruit with Greek Yogurt, Honey and Mint

Serves: 6

From Whole Foods, Fresno, Calif.

3 nectarines or peaches, halved, pitted

6 apricots, halved, pitted

Coconut oil, melted

2 cups Greek yogurt, stirred to soften

1/4 – 1/2 cup honey, plus 1 tablespoon

Juice of one lemon (about 2 tablespoons)

1/2 cup toasted pistachios, pecans or walnuts (chopped)

1 bunch mint leaves, chopped

Prepare grill for medium-hot heat. Halve the fruit and remove the pits. Lightly oil the cut side of the fruit. Place cut side down over direct medium-hot heat. Cook until char marks appear, 3-4 minutes. Arrange fruit, cut-side up, on plates. In a separate bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon honey. Brush fruit with lemon and honey mixture to preserve color. Serve with a spoonful of Greek yogurt in the center where pit was removed. Drizzle honey over the yogurt and fruit. Garnish with toasted nuts and chopped mint.