Grill Apples at Your Next Cookout for a Smoky, Sweet Side or Dessert

I’ll admit that when I think of grilling out-of-doors, my thoughts quickly turn to meat, with little brain space leftover for sides. This flesh-focused tunnel vision of mine may be why I’ve never considered grilling apples, but luckily Food 52 has brought the idea to my attention.

We’ve talked about the tasty merits of grilled fruit before, but never apples, for some reason. That’s too bad, because they compliment BBQ in a most pleasing manner, and make a great savory side dish or sweet dessert. Start with a firm, tart apple (Granny Smith’s work well), core, halve, and brush with a little bit of neutral oil or butter. Grill over medium-high heat for a few minutes, until they have some good marks on ‘em, and fill with whatever you like. If you want even more flavor, you could marinade them beforehand (click the link below for a whole slew of ideas), or you could brush them with bacon fat before grilling.