Sizzle and Sweetness

There’s nothing quite like the sound of sizzling fruit on a hot grill. Grilled fruit is a perfect balance of sweet and savory that brings a unique flavor to any meal. From pineapples to peaches, there’s an abundance of fruits that can be grilled to perfection as covered in this issue.
But before you start grilling your fruit, it’s important to know how to properly set up your grill. Here is how to set up your grill set for the flame

Clean and Oil the Grill Grates

Clean grill grates are essential for any grilling experience. Make sure to clean the grates with a brush or scraper before grilling your fruit. It’s easiest to clean the grates with a warm grill, so heat it up with the lid closed for a few minutes before scrubbing. This will prevent any unwanted flavors from previous meals from contaminating your fruit. After cleaning the grates, use a long pair of tongs and a folded-up paper towel dipped in oil to lightly grease them. Use a neutral oil like canola or vegetable oil to prevent the fruit from sticking and make for easy cleanup later.

Preheat the Grill

Before placing your fruit on the grill, it’s important to preheat it to the appropriate temperature. When grilling fruit, it’s important to arrange your coals, so that the grill has a hot and cool side on the grill to allow you to sear and char the fruit on one side before closing the lid and baking it on the other. Fruit cooked over high heat should be done quickly as their sugars can burn and become bitter. For most fruits, a medium-high heat is ideal. This allows the fruit to caramelize and develop a delicious char without burning. Preheating the grill also ensures that your fruit will cook evenly.

Cut and Prep the Fruit

Cut your fruit before you set up the grill. For the smaller fruits skewer them too before the grill is set. Brush the fruit with a light coating of oil or honey to help it caramelize and prevent it from sticking to the grill if need be.
Now that you have your grill set up, it’s time to get creative with your fruit!