Zesty Tropical Fruit Medley
Brighten up your dining experience with this Zesty Tropical Fruit Medley! This vibrant and refreshing fruit salad features a delightful blend of juicy fruits, all coated in a tangy glaze that perfectly complements their natural sweetness. Ideal for summer gatherings, picnics, or as a light dessert, this recipe has been cherished by families for generations, making it a timeless favorite. With the perfect balance of flavors and textures, this salad is sure to impress your guests and leave them coming back for more!
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Chunk pineapple
1 (20 ounce) can (drained (reserve juice))
Sliced peaches
1 (29 ounce) can (drained and cut into 1-inch chunks)
Pear halves in natural juice
1 (29 ounce) can (drained and cut into 1-inch chunks)
Large bananas
3 (cut into 1-inch chunks)
Mandarin oranges
2 (11 ounce) cans (drained)
Sugar
3/4 cup (none)
Lemon
1 (juice only)
Orange
1 (juice only)
Pineapple juice
1 cup (reserved from canned pineapple)
Cornstarch
4 tablespoons (none)
Grated fresh lemon rind
1 teaspoon (none)
Grated orange rind
1 teaspoon (none)
Instructions
1
Begin by draining the canned fruits. Cut the peaches and pear halves into 1-inch chunks and place them in the refrigerator to chill.
2
In a medium saucepan, blend the sugar and cornstarch together. Add the reserved pineapple juice, along with the lemon juice and orange juice to the mixture. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and becomes clear. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
3
Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the grated lemon and orange rinds. Allow the glaze to cool for a few minutes before refrigerating it until chilled.
4
When the fruit is chilled and the glaze has set, combine the chilled peach and pear chunks, chunk pineapple, and drained mandarin oranges in a large mixing bowl.
5
Just before serving, add the banana chunks and pour the chilled glaze over the fruit. Gently toss to coat all the fruit evenly with the glaze.
6
Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor, or refrigerate for up to an hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zesty Tropical Fruit Medley?
It is a vibrant and refreshing fruit salad featuring a blend of juicy fruits coated in a tangy citrus glaze.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe yields approximately 8 servings.
What fruits are included in this medley?
The salad includes chunk pineapple, sliced peaches, pear halves, large bananas, and mandarin oranges.
Can I use fresh fruit instead of canned?
While the recipe calls for canned fruit to utilize the juices for the glaze, you can use fresh fruit if you provide additional juice for the glaze base.
How do I prepare the peaches and pears?
Ditch the liquid and cut the canned peaches and pear halves into 1-inch chunks.
What is the glaze made of?
The glaze consists of sugar, cornstarch, reserved pineapple juice, lemon juice, orange juice, and grated rinds.
Why do I need to reserve the pineapple juice?
The reserved juice is used as the primary liquid base for the cooked glaze mixture.
How long should I cook the glaze?
Cook the glaze over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes until it thickens and becomes clear.
When should I add the bananas to the salad?
Add the banana chunks just before serving to prevent them from becoming too soft or browning.
Should the glaze be hot when added to the fruit?
No, the glaze should be cooled and then refrigerated until chilled before being poured over the fruit.
How do I prevent the bananas from browning?
The lemon and orange juice in the glaze helps, but adding them just before serving is the most effective method.
Can I make this recipe in advance?
You can prepare the glaze and the canned fruits ahead of time, but wait to add the bananas and combine with glaze until shortly before serving.
Is this fruit salad suitable for picnics?
Yes, its refreshing nature makes it a timeless favorite for summer gatherings and picnics.
What is the purpose of cornstarch in this recipe?
Cornstarch acts as a thickening agent to give the citrus juices a syrupy, glaze-like consistency.
How much sugar is in the glaze?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of sugar.
Do I need to peel the lemon and orange?
You only need to grate the rinds and extract the juice from the lemon and orange.
What size should the fruit chunks be?
The recipe recommends cutting the fruit into 1-inch chunks for a consistent texture.
How many cans of mandarin oranges are needed?
You will need two 11-ounce cans of mandarin oranges, drained.
What if I don't have fresh citrus rinds?
The fresh rinds provide a zesty punch, but you can omit them or use a small amount of dried zest if necessary.
Can I use pear halves in heavy syrup?
The recipe suggests pears in natural juice, but syrup-packed pears work if you adjust for the extra sweetness.
Is this recipe dairy-free?
Yes, this fruit medley is naturally dairy-free and vegan.
How should I store leftovers?
Leftovers should be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, though the texture of the bananas may change.
Can I add other fruits like grapes or berries?
Yes, you can customize the medley with other seasonal fruits, but try to keep the 1-inch chunk size consistent.
How many bananas are required?
The recipe uses 3 large bananas.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 12 ingredients in total for this recipe.
Should the fruit be chilled before mixing?
Yes, for the best result, the drained fruit chunks should be chilled in the refrigerator before assembly.
What texture should the glaze have?
The glaze should be clear and thick enough to coat the fruit without being overly runny.
Can I substitute the sugar for a sweetener?
You can use a sugar substitute, but it may slightly alter the flavor and thickness of the glaze.
Is there a specific order for mixing the fruits?
Combine the chilled peaches, pears, pineapple, and oranges first, then add the bananas last.
How long can I let the flavors meld?
You can refrigerate the assembled salad for up to an hour before serving to allow the flavors to blend.