Fresh Fruits on the Barbie — How to Grill Seasonal Summer Fruits

The summer season brings the fresh, sweet goodness of so many plentifully available fruits. Did you know grilling your favorite fruits brings out even more of the sweet, tender flavors? Grilled desserts are a heavenly treat, especially when paired with cold ice cream, yogurt, or whipped cream. They're also simple to prepare. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Grilled Plums

When you're out shopping, choose plums that are ripe but only a little bit squishy.

· Cut plums in half, remove pits.

· Brush cut side with canola or vegetable oil.

· Drizzle with honey, sprinkle with cinnamon.

· Place cut side down on hot grill for 2 minutes or until golden brown and slightly caramelized.

· Grill other side for 1 minute to heat through.

· Serve with yogurt or ice cream, or as a side to grilled pork or sausages.

Grilled Mangoes

According to Livestrong, mangos are a good source of vitamins A, B6, and C — and so wonderfully sweet. Grilling mangos caramelizes the natural sugars, which pair well with a spicy seasoning.

· Slice an unpeeled mango by cutting off the stem end to make a flat surface. Use this to stand the mango up and cut 1/4-inch thick slices from one of the wide sides of the mango until you hit the seed. Turn and slice the other side.

· Place slices in bowl and brush both sides with melted butter.

· Salt lightly to bring out lushness in flavor, as recommended by Dragon BBQ.

· Dust with brown sugar and cayenne pepper.

· Place on hot grill for 2–3 minutes on both sides.

· Pair with grilled fish, chicken, vanilla ice cream, or frozen yogurt.

Grilled Peaches

The best peaches for grilling are still firm when squeezed, as soft peaches tend to burn quickly on the grill. Peaches are best grilled on medium heat, like when the coals have died down a bit after dinner.

· Combine 2 tablespoons brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon in small bowl.

· Slice peaches along seam all the way around, twist halves off pit, and remove pit.

· Brush cut side with grapeseed oil, vegetable oil, or olive oil.

· Grill cut side down 3–4 minutes.

· Brush tops with oil and flip.

· Sprinkle cut sides with cinnamon/sugar mixture.

· Grill uncovered for 8 minutes until sugar melts and the fruit is tender.

· Enjoy with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, yogurt, grilled pork, or in a salad.

Grilled Fruit Kabobs

Why choose one fruit to grill when you can combine all of your favorites into a fruit kabob? Any fruit will do, just cut it into 1-inch chunks (berries can be left whole, of course). Summer seasonal favorites include grilled pineapple, nectarines, pears, peaches, plums, apricots, watermelon, mango, kiwi, blackberries, and raspberries.

· Thread fruit chunks onto metal or soaked wooden skewers, alternating between fruits.

· Brush with vegetable oil or melted butter.

· Grill uncovered on medium heat for about 6 minutes to heat through, turning once when grill marks appear.

· Brush with honey during the last minute of grilling time.

· For spicy kabobs, combine zest from one lime with 2 teaspoons chili powder and 1 teaspoon salt, and sprinkle on grilled kabobs.