Fresh ideas for fruit

Summer is right around the corner, which means strawberry picking is not far behind. Fruit is a naturally sweet, refreshing and hydrating snack.

Traditionally fruit is eaten plain or doused in sugar and butter and served as a dessert; however, fruit can be used in a wide range of recipes to add unique flavors, textures and natural sweetness.

Grill it. Adding pineapple rings or peach slices to the grill can caramelize the natural sugars in the fruit. Make a shrimp and pineapple kebab for a meal or top grilled peaches with a scoop of ice cream for dessert.

Add it to sandwiches or pizza. Many people have tried pizza with pineapples, but have you ever added sliced apples to a turkey sandwich or grapes to chicken salad?

Make it sweet and savory. Spinach, strawberry and poppy seed salad isn't the only great sweet and savory fruit recipe. There are many great flavor combinations such as cucumbers, melons and cilantro or berries, basil and pepper.

Freeze it. Frozen fruit can be blended with milk or juice to make a smoothie. Frozen bananas and fruit can be blended in a food processor to make a dessert similar to soft serve ice cream. Or try putting your grapes in the freezer for a refreshing snack on a hot day.