With Labor Day approaching, many of us are planning on attending end of the season BBQ’s, potlucks and parties. Along with the fun and festivities often comes the responsibility of bringing along a contribution to the meal or snacks.
There are quite a few frugal standbys that I use for these type of “dish to pass” occasions:
Deviled Eggs
Homemade Baked Beans
Caramel Corn
Spicy Thai Noodles
Ranch Seasoned Oyster Crackers
But this year I decided to try something new. Inspired by the birthday luncheon that Meredith over at Like Merchant Ships hosted for her mother, I decided to add Fruit Kabobs to my repertoire.
Now, don’t get me wrong-fruit can be expensive, especially if you buy out of season. This idea is sort of a mid range frugal idea-there are things like the baked beans and caramel corn that would cost you a whole lot less than fresh fruit. But in the summer when beautiful, delicious fruit is plentiful and inexpensive you can really make a beautiful platter up frugally.
The premise is simple. You buy some wooden skewers, cut up a bunch of different fruit, and thread them on.
You can see that I used apples (tossed in a tiny bit of lemon juice), red grapes, green grapes, watermelon (made into balls with my small pampered chef cookie scoop-it was a pre frugal purchase-cubes would have done just as well), fresh pineapple (canned would work) and a can of Mandarin oranges. This was WAY more fruit than I needed to make my Kabobs. We were eating grapes and watermelon for a couple of days (oh-break my heart!).
For me the least expensive fruits were the apples and grapes (which I had the most of). So I made sure that they featured prominently on the skewers, with the more expensive fresh pineapple, watermelon and oranges interspersed. My pattern was green grape, watermelon, red grape, orange, green grape, pineapple, red grape, apple, green grape.
Now, doesn’t that look stunning? I used the end of the watermelon as a base to stick some of the kabobs in, then just stacked the rest on the platter. The small container of raspberries were from a U-Pick outing the week before.
Additional benefits to the Fruit Kabob:
#1 It just looks darn impressive. When I brought this platter out from the kitchen, people literally ohhh’ed and ahhh’ed. While that wasn’t my main objective, it did feel nice 🙂
#2 It was much easier to eat at a stand up BBQ type affair than regular fruit salad or a fruit platter would have been. Grab a skewer and you can hold all the fruit in one hand while talking and walking around.
#3 The fruit was distributed evenly among guests. Have you ever noticed when there is a fruit platter at a party, certain fruits go first? Watermelon, strawberries (which I didn’t use this time) etc go first, leaving the common apple and grape sitting there looking lonely. With the Kabobs guests were gently forced to take a little of everything.
Meredith says
Wow! I love the way you used the watermelon end to add height to your platter. I used our fruit skewers for a plated lunch, but I will definitely try your idea when I make a fruit tray.
Our Aldi fruits in summer made the fruit skewers cost less than most party foods with multiple ingredients.
Allisone says
Have you priced these things at _Edible Arrangements_? I’d call doing it yourself a frugal tip. A few pieces cut with a cookie cutter (or even get fancy with a knife), stick the base in a thrift store container and you’d have a beautiful and healthy gift.
Kris says
Great idea, Jenn, with a really neat arrangements. Good twist on fruit salad.
libby says
Oh wow, I love this idea. I’m going to steel it for my daughter’s upcoming 6th birthday party. Thanks so much for shaing.
Libby
Anonymous says
Yum, I am hungry already I can hardly wait!!! Have a great weekend!!! Tritip is less at the warehouse clubs for barbeque!!!
Maine Mama says
I bet your dish was the hit of the party! I am definitely going to try this idea.
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
Meredith-I was pretty pleased with how the display worked out. And I agree, using seasonal fruit the cost really isn’t very high. Now making it in December would be another story!
Allisone-I’ve seen those edible arrangement things before-you aren’t kidding, this is WAY cheaper than those! But then again, I’d never pay for one of those in a million years 🙂
Kris-Thanks! I was actually asked to bring a fruit salad to the event, but this worked out even better.
Libby-Hope it works well for the party! Kids love things on sticks.
Anon-It does look yummy doesn’t it!
Maine Mama-Well, there wasn’t much left, and I got ohhhs and ahhs when I brought it out, so I consider it a hit. Hope it works as well for you. BTW-did you know I grew up right outside of Bangor in Eddington Me?
Lorie says
Love it! And then the fruit is actually rationed out so everyone gets a little of something!