Rum and Coconut Fruit Kebabs

This is another delicious Caribbean-inspired fruit kebab. Make sure you have a good rum for this recipe. Nothing will spoil this dish like a low-quality, bitter rum. If you cannot find mangoes, you can substitute with papaya. Just make sure it is firm and not overly ripe.

MAKES 6 TO 8 KEBABS

INGREDIENTS:

KEBABS

• 1 pineapple
• 2 large firm mangoes (ripe but not mushy)
• 3 to 4 yellow bananas (again, not overly ripe)
• 6 to 8 skewers
• Oil
• ¼ cup (15 g) toasted coconut flakes, for garnish

RUM SAUCE

• ½ cup (115 g) brown sugar
• ¼ cup (60 ml) dark rum
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon allspice
• Pinch of salt

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Simmer all the ingredients for the Rum Sauce over medium heat. Stir often. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes more until the brown sugar is no longer gritty. Remove from the heat, cover, and keep warm.
2. Prepare the fruit. Peel, core, and cut pineapple into 2-inch (5 cm) pieces. Cut the mangoes into 1½-inch (4 in) pieces. Cut the bananas into 2-inch (5 cm) pieces.
3. Preheat the grill for medium-high heat. When the grill is ready, oil the grill grates right before putting on the kebabs. Using long-handled tongs, dip some folded paper towels in a high smoke point cooking oil and wipe down the grill grates, making at least three good passes to create a nonstick surface.
4. Thread the fruit onto the skewers, alternating between each type. Do not overcrowd. Brush lightly with a neutral-flavored oil.
5. Place the kebabs onto the grill. Cook the kebabs for 2 minutes per side. The object is to get some good grill marks on the fruit, not to cook it through.
6. Once the fruit is properly marked, promptly remove the kebabs from the grill and place onto a platter. Drizzle with warm Rum Sauce, garnish the kebabs with toasted coconut flakes, and serve.

TIP:

• To toast the coconut flakes, spread the instructed amount onto a baking sheet. Bake at 350°F (180°C, or gas mark 4) until golden brown. This will take about 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes before using.