Arrange a Fruit Tray

An attractively arranged fruit platter is perfect for all occasions and can be as simple or exotic as you want it to be. Designing your own fruit tray is less expensive than buying a store-made one, and you get to choose which fruits to include.

Ingredients

Servings: 8 to 10

  • 1 large honeydew melon, peeled
  • 1 pineapple
  • 2 cups strawberries
  • 1 medium apple, peeled and cored
  • 1 medium pear, peeled and cored
  • 2 cups grapes
  • Lemon juice, freshly squeezed

Optional Ingredients

  • 10 small sprigs mint
  • 10 whole grape leaves
  • 10 whole lemon leaves

Steps

The amount of fruit to use depends on the number of guests you plan to serve but regardless of how much you use, it’s important to wash all your fruit thoroughly before assembling your platter. A fruit platter is seldom the only food dish offered, so a medium to large platter will suffice for this recipe. If you don’t have enough fruit to fill your platter, you can add complementary finger foods.

Slice the Melon

Cut the melon into bite-size pieces.

  1. Cut the melon in half and scoop out the seeds with a spoon.
  2. Place the melon halves on a cutting board and cut each into 6 lengthwise slices.
  3. Cut the lengthwise slices into 4 equal parts to create bite-sized pieces.

Slice the Pineapple

Peel and slice up the pineapple into bite-size pieces.

  1. Place the pineapple on your cutting board and slice off the top and bottom of the pineapple.
  2. Stand the pineapple on its bottom and use a very sharp knife to peel it. Slice straight down, making sure to remove the “eyes.”
  3. Slice the pineapple in half lengthwise and remove the core by cutting a “V” shape down the center of each half.
  4. Place both cored halves, cut side down, on a cutting board and slice each half into 8 lengthwise pieces.
  5. Cut the lengthwise pieces into quarters to create bite-sized chunks.

Prepare the Strawberries

Depending on the size of your berries, you can choose to leave them whole or slice them up into smaller pieces.

  1. Remove the stems from strawberries by inserting the tip of a paring knife at the edge of the stem and cut around it until you get back to the beginning and then lift the stem out.
  2. Large strawberries may be sliced in half for easier eating; otherwise, leave the strawberries whole.

Slice the Apple and Pear

The skins of the apple and the pear may be left on, but either way, you must treat peeled surfaces with lemon juice to prevent browning.

  1. Cut both the apple and pear lengthwise into quarters and remove their stems. If you’re not using an apple corer to remove the seeds, remove the wedges that contain seeds after you quarter the fruit.
  2. Rub the cut surfaces of the apple and pear segments with lemon juice, or add lemon juice to a bowl of cold water and immerse the slices.

Arrange the Fruits on Your Tray

The fruits that make up this platter are arranged according to size and color, but how any platter is arranged is a matter of personal preference. For this simple arrangement, begin with the larger fruits at the other edges of your platter, and then add the smaller fruit pieces to your tray as you work your way towards the center.

  1. Place your melon around the perimeter of your platter.
  2. Arrange the pineapple next, with the pineapple just slightly overlapping the melon, making sure that there is no space between the two fruit sections.
  3. Align the strawberries along the inner rim of the pineapple.
  4. Add the apple slices, making sure they slightly overlap the strawberries.
  5. Place a bunch of grapes in the center of the platter.
  6. Garish the outer rim of the platter with flat leaves, such as grape or lemon leaves, or consider adding mint leaves as a finishing touch and place small containers of toothpicks near the platter.

Tips

  • Use a fruit dip. You can buy fruit dips or make your own; an easy dip to make is as simple as combining eight ounces of whipped cream and eight ounces of vanilla-flavored yogurt. The fruit dip can be placed in the center of the platter in place of the grapes, or you can arrange several small bowls of the dip near the platter.
  • Fill in any gaps on your fruit platter with nuts. Most types of nuts pair well with fruits, especially apples. Nuts can be offered raw, lightly salted, toasted, or even candied.
  • Choose blemish-free fruits that are in season whenever possible. However, it is fine to include dried fruits, such as raisins or dates for any fruit tray.
  • Make sure each kind of fruit is visible so guests can easily choose.
  • Place empty bowls near the fruit platter so that guests can discard strawberry stems and toothpicks.
  • Make sure all fruits are cut into bite-sized pieces and can easily be speared with a toothpick or a fork.
  • A large cookie sheet covered with foil also works as a serving platter.
  • Select fruits based on a theme; tropical fruits such as guava and star fruit for a summer party, for example.

Warnings

  • Wash all fruits thoroughly to make sure they are clean and free of pesticides.
  • Keep in mind that some guests may have allergies, especially to nuts.

Things You’ll Need

  • Large serving platter
  • Sharp knife
  • Apple corer (optional)
  • Cutting board
  • Spoon
  • Frilled toothpicks
  • Bowls for discarding stems and toothpicks

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Sources and Citations

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