Grilling fruit is like discovering a hidden treasure in your own backyard—one that combines the unexpected with the utterly delicious. Imagine the sweetness of a ripe peach or the tang of pineapple, both transformed by the grill’s kiss into something almost magical. I remember last summer, when we turned our backyard into a fruity wonderland, and the scent of caramelizing sugars filled the air—talk about a memory worth repeating!
Steps
- Select Suitable Fruits: Choose firm fruits like peaches, melons, pineapples, pears, avocados, tomatoes, bananas, and figs for grilling. Ensure they are not overripe to maintain their shape during grilling.
- Cut Into Large Pieces: Slice fruits into substantial chunks or wheels to help them keep their structure and avoid falling through the grill grates. For smaller fruits like strawberries, use skewers to prevent them from slipping through.
- Preheat and Prepare the Grill: Heat the grill to medium-high for at least 10 minutes. Clean and oil the grates with a neutral oil, like safflower oil, to reduce sticking.
- Decide on Oiling the Fruit: Oiling isn’t necessary for fruits used in cocktails or desserts to avoid excess oil. If grilling for savory dishes, oiling is acceptable, but sometimes unoiled fruit yields better grill marks.
- Caramelize Citrus Fruits: Sprinkle sugar on the cut sides of citrus fruits before grilling. This prevents sticking and creates a beautiful caramelized surface, perfect for garnishes.
- Allow Grill Marks to Form: Let fruits rest on the grill for a few minutes to achieve sear marks, reducing sticking. Some sticking might occur, but it won’t affect the flavor.
- Adjust for Dense Fruits: Fruits like pineapples need more grill time than peaches or citrus. Cover the grill occasionally to ensure even cooking, checking for doneness every few minutes.
- Capture the Juices: Use a rimmed baking sheet to catch juices from grilled fruits. This is particularly useful for recipes like grilled gazpacho, where the juice enhances the dish.
Ingredients
- Fresh peaches, firm and not overripe
- Safflower oil (for oiling the grill)
- Granulated sugar (for dusting citrus fruits if needed)
- Optional: large chunks, slices, or wheels of other fruits such as melons, pineapple, pears, avocados, tomatoes, bananas, and figs
FAQ
- What types of fruits are best suited for grilling?
- Firm fruits that aren’t overripe are ideal for grilling. Options like peaches, melons, pineapple, pears, avocados, tomatoes, bananas, and figs maintain their structure well over the heat.
- How can I prevent fruit from sticking to the grill?
- Preheat your grill to medium-high for at least 10 minutes, then clean and oil the grates with a neutral oil suitable for high heat, such as safflower oil. This helps minimize sticking.
- Should I oil the fruit before grilling?
- Oiling isn’t always necessary, especially if you’re grilling fruit for cocktails or desserts, as it might result in unwanted oiliness. For savory dishes, oiling can be beneficial. Sometimes, you may achieve better grill marks without oiling the fruit.
- How do I grill smaller fruits without losing them through the grates?
- Cut fruit into larger chunks or slices to maintain their structure and prevent them from falling through the grates. For smaller fruits like strawberries, consider using skewers.
- What should I do with the juice released from grilled fruits?
- Grilled fruits often release a lot of juice due to the high heat. To capture this flavorful liquid, place the grilled fruit on a rimmed baking sheet immediately after grilling. This is particularly useful for recipes where you want to retain the juices, like in a Grilled Gazpacho Bloody Mary.
Tips
- Choose Firm Fruits: Opt for fruits that are firm and not overly ripe to ensure they hold their shape on the grill. Good options include peaches, pineapples, and melons.
- Cut Larger Pieces: Slice fruits into larger chunks or wheels to help maintain their structure and prevent them from slipping through the grill grates. For smaller fruits like strawberries, consider using skewers.
- Preheat and Oil the Grill: Make sure your grill is preheated to medium-high for at least 10 minutes before you start. Scrape and oil the grates with a neutral oil like safflower to prevent sticking.
- Utilize Sugar for Citrus: Sprinkle granulated sugar on the cut side of citrus fruits before grilling to prevent sticking and achieve a beautifully caramelized surface, ideal for garnishing drinks and desserts.
Equipment
- Grill or BBQ (if you don’t have one suitable for grilling fruit)
- Skewers (for grilling small fruits like strawberries)
- Grill brush (for cleaning the grates)
- Oil sprayer or brush (for applying oil to the grates)
- Rimmed baking sheet (for capturing juice from grilled fruits)
- Heavy-duty aluminum foil (for grilling fruits prone to losing juice)
