Tips For Grilling Fruits & Vegetables

There’s something really special about fresh fruits and veggies cooked on the grill. We thought to kick off the grilling season we’d pass along some favorite tips for grilling.

• Use a light brushing of canola oil on vegetables and fruits to help prevent sticking. The use of a non-stick grate or foil packets lightly coated with oil can also be helpful.

• As a general rule, don’t peel vegetables before grilling—you’ll get more nutrients and enjoy a smokier flavor. Leave the husk on corn to act as a natural insulator, keeping the steam in and preventing the corn from drying out. Most fruits generally do need to

• Some veggies (including artichokes, asparagus, beets, broccoli, carrots, parsnips, potatoes and winter squash) can be pre-cooked to shorten grilling time and ensure that the inside and outside cook evenly. To pre-cook: Steam or blanch until just barely tender. Then, pat dry, brush lightly with oil and grill until completely tender and lightly browned.

• Veggies like eggplant, fennel, onions, mushrooms, peppers, sweet potatoes, summer squash and tomatoes should be raw when placed on the grill.

• Ideal grilling fruits are firm and barely ripe. Watermelon, pineapple, apples, peaches and pears can all take the heat. Soak them in liquor or drizzle with honey before grilling for an added burst of flavor.

• Cook all fruits and vegetables directly over moderately hot coals or use the indirect heat method. Rotate them or move them to a cooler part of the grill during cooking as necessary to ensure that the outside isn’t cooking too quickly.

Grilled Coconut & Cinnamon Pineapple Slices

Ingredients

1 fresh pineapple – peeled, cored and cut into rings

1/4 cup canned coconut milk

1/2 cup cinnamon sugar

Directions

. Preheat a grill for medium heat. When the grill is hot, lightly oil the grate.

. Place the coconut milk and cinnamon sugar into separate dishes. Dip slices of pineapple into coconut milk, then coat in cinnamon sugar.

. Grill slices for 6 minutes on each side. Remove to plates, and serve. YUM!

For a delicious treat try this chocolate dipping sauce:

Combine chocolate syrup with cayenne pepper and sea salt.

Mix until completely blended.

Use as dipping sauce or drizzle onto kabobs.

Happy Grilling!