Grill more than meat this summer Item of interest
It’s summertime, and if you have a garden hopefully you are starting to enjoy its abundance. If you are like me and don’t have time or space for growing much right now, then the local farmers market is a great way to get locally grown fruits and vegetables for a good price. But once those lovely vegetables are lying on your counter or window sill, what should you do with them? Grill ’em!
Grilled vegetable or fruit kabobs are a delicious and healthy way to help your family get the servings they need for good nutrition. The nice thing is that you can grill what you need for one person or for the whole party without a lot of mess, and use leftovers in a variety of dishes the next day. If you don’t have skewers, then place the fruits or vegetables on oiled aluminum foil or directly on the grill if the pieces are large.
If you are new to grilling vegetable or fruit kabobs, getting started is easy. Most of the produce grown in Arkansas cooks well on the grill. Squash, zucchini or eggplant are some of my favorites. Add in some onions, mushrooms and peppers and you can easily “eat your colors.” Grilled corn can be eaten on the cob or used in a variety of recipes. For fruits, pretty much any fruit you can get to stay on a skewer can be grilled.
When using wooden skewers, be sure to soak them in water for about 30 minutes before adding fruits or vegetables. Place all of one kind of vegetable or fruit on the skewer or mix and match by color or make a pattern. Keep in mind that not all vegetables cook at the same rate, so you might need to precook some or cut smaller pieces. Many times, fruits and vegetables can be paired up together for a sweet and tangy combination. Be sure to leave a little space in between each piece. Placing everything close together may look appealing before cooking, but it prevents even cooking on the grill.
Marinating your fruits or vegetables for 15 to 30 minutes before skewering can help draw out excess moisture and encourage caramelization when cooking. If you don’t have time to marinate, then you can baste the kabobs with the marinade sauce while cooking. Marinades do not have to be fancy; they can be as simple as some olive oil, balsamic vinegar/lemon juice and a few herbs and spices. For fruit kabobs, a little honey or maple syrup can be combined with lemon juice and a
New Born Parenting classes for teens, young mothers and fathers are held from 1-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday at Change Point, 201 Nickels St. Call 624-2273 for appointment. After hour classes by appointment only.
Extension Get Fit meets from
9-10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Leonard Street Baptist Church, Leonard and Panama streets. Women and men are welcome to join this exercising program to prevent osteoporosis, increase balance and muscle tone and get in shape. Cost is $20 per year. Call Sharon Dodd,
525-1718, for information.
Civil Air Patrol 40th Composite Squadron holds a senior meeting at 7 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month at Hot Springs Memorial Field. Cadets meet at 7 p.m. every Tuesday. Call
760-2472 for information. Extension Get Fit will meet at 8:45 a.m. today and Thursday at New Salem United Methodist Church, 1798 Mountain Pine Road. Improve balance and strength, prevent osteoporosis, strengthen joints, increase metabolism. Cost is $20 per year. Call Billie Sue, 2826261, for information. Extension Get Fit meet at 9 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Piney Grove United Methodist Church, 2963 Airport Road. Some new, some old exercises. Join in for an all body workout. Everyone welcome. Cost is $20 per year. Call Virginia Gunderson, 767-3831, and Gail Oyster, 580-1960, for information.
The Salvation Army Senior Fellowship group meets at 9 a.m. Tuesdays at The Salvation Army, 115 Crescent, for free coffee, cake, devotions, singing, bingo and fellowship. If you are 55 or older, come on over.
Extension Get Fit exercise program meets from 9-10:30 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays in the multipurpose building at Center Fork Baptist Church, 1101 S. Moore Road. If you’ve always wanted to start a strength training program but just did not know how to start, come on by. Cost is $20 per year. Call 767-4607 for information.
Water workout and aerobics, Aqua Arthritis classes and swim lessons for all ages are held at Quapaw Community Center, 500 Quapaw Ave. Water aerobics is at 9 a.m. dash of cinnamon or just squeeze a little lemon or lime juice over it.
Cooking times vary for vegetables and it helps to either cook the same vegetables together on a skewer or vegetable with similar cooking times. Squash, zucchini, eggplant, onions, peppers and large mushrooms need about 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Button or small mushrooms need only 10 minutes or less. Carrots, parsnips, new potatoes, regular potatoes and sweet potatoes need longer to cook (30-45 minutes), but you can precook them to speed up the process. Try placing the kabob over direct heat first to make grill marks and then move over for slower cooking.
Any way you prepare them grilled fruits and vegetables can be an easy addition to any meal and a great way to use up your garden surplus. For more information on how to prepare or preserve your garden produce, contact the Garland County Extension Service Office at 501623-6841 or visit http://www.uaex.edu. Like us on Facebook @GarlandFCS.
4-H Club information
For information about Garland County 4-H Club membership or program benefits, visit Linda Bates at the Extension office at 236 Woodbine, call 501-623-6841, or email lbates@uaex.edu. Additional information is available at http://www. uaex.edu/garland.
Master Gardener information
If you have an interest in gardening, you may want to apply to become a Master Gardener. You may obtain an application by calling the Extension office to have one emailed to you, or by picking one up at the office. You’re welcome to attend the monthly Master Gardener meeting which is held on the third Thursday of each month, 12:30 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 132 Abbott Place. The meetings are open to the public and guests are always welcome. Call the Extension office at 623-6841 for more information.
EHC information
Are you interested in joining an existing Extension Homemakers Club? EHC is the largest volunteer organization in the state. For information on EHC, call 623-6841 or email Alison Crane at acrane@uaex.edu. Follow Alison on Facebook @garlandEGF and @Garland FCS, and EHC on Facebook @GarlandCountyEHC.
Monday-Friday and water workout at 10 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Aqua Arthritis classes follow the guidelines of the Arthritis Foundation’s water exercise program and are held at 1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Water exercise is a low-impact way to work out. Call 623-9922 for information.
Extension Get Fit meets from
9-10 a.m. Monday-Thursday at Hot Springs Baptist Church. Strength and core training is offered Tuesday and Thursday, and circuit and aerobic training Monday and Wednesday. Prevent bone loss, increase balance and strength. Cost is $20 per year. Call Julia Lamb, 501-2762983, for information. Extension Get Fit will be held from 830-9:30 a.m. Monday and Wednesday at CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs Senior Center,
301 Broadway; use the back door entrance.
Tri-Lakes Coin Club will meet
a 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Garland County Library. New members are welcome.
Village Card Club, 1101 DeSoto Blvd., meets daily for multiple card games, with duplicate bridge: stratified 0-750 (CC) at 9 a.m., flighted open & 299 (CC) at 1 p.ml, Euchre at 6 p.m. Call 915-9296 or visit https://www.villagecardclub. org.
Hot Springs National Park Chapter 635 Order of the Eastern Star will hold its stated meeting on Tuesday at the Hot Springs Masonic Temple, 311 W. Grand Ave. Refreshments will be served at 6 p.m. and the meeting at 7 p.m. with Patriotic Night being observed. Canned food, stuffed animals and blankets are being collected for donations. All members under General Grand Chapter are welcome.