Eat More Summer Fruits & Veggies…with Kebabs!
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Now that summer is here, it’s the perfect time to reinvent the kebab with an eye toward getting more fruits and veggies!
I love a good kebab. But as I was scrolling through Pinterest a few days ago, I saw a link to a story on cheese and fruit pairings for appetizers to be served on toothpicks. In other words, kebabs for ladies’ book clubs.
That got me thinking though.
Since I’m on an endless quest to think of fun new ways to get fruits and veggies into my (and your!) diet, this got me thinking that I’ve been neglecting kebabs as a great vehicle to get more produce. So here we are.
Without further ado, here are my favorite pairings (including 10 focused on fruit and cheese pairings, because science). And the best part is, there are no recipes, just putting together things that taste good! And yes, some are basic, but sometimes fruit is more fun to eat when it’s on a stick. You also have the option of eating raw (particularly great for lazy days) or firing up the grill.
Some basics:
Grilled Rainbow Veggie: Cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, zucchini, red onion, and mushrooms. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with herbs, and grill.
Balsamic Grilled Vegetable Skewers: Enjoy the depth of flavor achieved by marinating vegetables like bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and mushrooms in balsamic vinegar and herbs before grilling.
Tropical Fruit Salad: Transport yourself to a tropical paradise with skewers featuring pineapple chunks, mango slices, kiwi wedges, and strawberries, with a spritz of lime juice.
Greek Salad: Capture the essence of Mediterranean cuisine with skewers showcasing cucumber chunks, cherry tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, and red onion. Drizzle with olive oil and a dash of oregano for authentic Greek flavor.
Ratatouille: Experience the rustic charm of French cuisine with skewers featuring eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes, seasoned with garlic and herbs.
Multi-Berry: Indulge in the sweetness of summer with skewers adorned with strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, with a drizzle of honey.
Produce + Protein:
Spicy Mango Chicken: marinated chicken, mango slices, and red onion, then sprinkle with chili powder and a squeeze of lime.
Citrus Shrimp and Veggie: Skewer shrimp, bell peppers, and red onions. Spritz with a wedge or two of orange and grill for a burst of flavor.
Teriyaki Tofu and Vegetable: teriyaki-marinated tofu, bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions. Grill until tofu is golden brown and veggies are tender-crisp.
Veggie Falafel: falafel, cucumber, tomatoes, red onions, and maybe lettuce (an interesting addition for sure). Serve with tahini sauce or tzatziki.
Honey-Lime Chicken and Pineapple: honey-lime marinated chicken and juicy pineapple chunks. Grilled until chicken is cooked through..
Cajun Shrimp and Vegetable: Cajun-seasoned shrimp, bell peppers, onions, and cherry tomatoes. Grill until shrimp is cooked and veggies are tender.
Thai Peanut Tofu: marinated tofu, bell peppers, and pineapple, brushed with a peanut sauce infused with ginger, garlic, and soy. Can be grilled or eaten raw (seriously, don’t discount raw tofu. It’s surprisingly good!)
Antipasto on a Stick: marinated artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella balls, then drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze.
Coconut-Lime Shrimp and Mango: coconut-lime marinated shrimp, mango chunks, and red onion. Grill until shrimp is cooked.
Chimichurri Steak and Vegetables: chimichurri-marinated steak, bell peppers, onions, and cherry tomatoes. Grill until steak is cooked to your preference.
Rainbow Pepper Steak: bell peppers and steak cubes, marinated in a savory blend of soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Grill until steak is cooked to your preference.
Pineapple Jalapeno Chicken: skewer marinated chicken, pineapple chunks, and jalapeno slices. Grill until chicken is cooked through and pineapple caramelizes.
Coconut Curry Tofu: coconut curry marinated tofu cubes, bell peppers, and red onion. Grill until tofu is lightly charred and veggies are tender. Add mango for extra tanginess!
Caesar Salad: the classic flavors of Caesar salad in a convenient skewer format, with romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, croutons, and grilled chicken, drizzled with Caesar dressing.
Lemon Herb Salmon Kebabs: salmon chunks, cherry tomatoes, and zucchini. Grill until salmon is flaky and vegetables are tender, then spritz with fresh lemon.
Mango Tango Shrimp: marinated shrimp, bell peppers, red onion, and cherry tomatoes, grilled until shrimp is cooked.
CHEESE:
Halloumi and Watermelon: alternate pieces on a kebab, grill until cheese is golden brown, and garnish with mint leaves. You can also eat this raw!
Watermelon Feta: the easiest summer appetizer to throw together that still looks elegant, skewer watermelon cubes, chunks of feta, and fresh mint leaves, then drizzle with balsamic glaze.
Peach and Brie: alternate pieces on a kebab, grill until cheese is melted, and drizzle with honey. You can also eat this raw!
Tip: Trader Joe’s sells mini brie bites, single serving and self-contained little rounds of brie perfect for kebabs!
Mediterranean Veggie and Halloumi: cherry tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, and halloumi. Add a sprinkle of za'atar for extra flavor.
Caprese Salad: Cherry or grape tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil, and drizzle with balsamic glaze.
Feta-Stuffed Mini Bell Peppers: slice mini bell peppers in half lengthwise and remove seeds. Stuff each half with feta cheese and skewer, then grill until peppers are tender and cheese is melted.
Blue Cheese and Grapes: no instructions necessary.
Gouda and Apple: skewer slices of Gouda cheese and apple. Grill until cheese is melted and apples are caramelized, then drizzle with honey. You can also eat raw!
Goat Cheese and Figs: skewer halved figs and cubes of goat cheese. Grill until figs are tender and cheese is slightly melted, then drizzle with honey. You can also eat raw!
Brie and Strawberries: skewer slices of brie cheese and whole strawberries. Grill until cheese is melted and strawberries are slightly softened.
Cheddar and Apple Sausage: skewer alternating cubes of cheddar cheese, slices of apple sausage, and apple slices. Grill until cheese is melted and sausage is heated through.
Blueberry and Goat Cheese: no instructions necessary.
Gruyère and Pear: skewer slices of Gruyère cheese and ripe pear. Grill until cheese is melted and pears are caramelized, then drizzle with honey.
Provolone and Pineapple: skewer cubes of provolone cheese and pineapple chunks. Grill until cheese is melted and pineapple is caramelized.
Parmesan, Asparagus, and Prosciutto: Wrap each asparagus spear with a slice of prosciutto and alternate on skewer with chunks of parmesan. Grill until asparagus is tender and cheese is golden brown.
I hope you found a couple of options here that you’ll serve at your next barbeque (or just on a Tuesday afternoon)! Remember, you can do nothing but benefit from eating more fruits and vegetables!
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