Picnics present an opportunity to incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables into an outdoor meal. A variety of creative options can be easily packed for an outdoor feast. [1]
Fresh Fruits
Banana and strawberry skewers offer an easy-to-eat option. Cooks can alternate fruit slices on skewers and drizzle them with lime juice to prevent browning.
These skewers can also be cooked on a grill.
Another option is a grapes-and-cheese platter. This pairs grape clusters with different cheeses and whole-grain crackers.
“Picnics present an opportunity to incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables into an outdoor meal.”
Fruit kabobs, served alongside a honey yogurt dip, create a colorful arrangement on sticks.
Savory Sides
Vegetable dishes can serve as side items. A grilled sweet potato salad combines cubed potatoes and greens in a light vinaigrette.
A mixed bean salad utilizes red kidney, northern white, black, pinto, and garbanzo beans. These are tossed with diced vegetables and a zesty dressing.
For a simpler side, carrot and cucumber sticks can be served with a batch of fresh guacamole.
Refreshing Additions
Unique dips and drinks add variety to a picnic basket. A dragon fruit salsa combines dragon fruit and pineapple with lime juice, cilantro, and grated jalapeno.
“Unique dips and drinks add variety to a picnic basket.”
Drink options include a tropical pineapple smoothie, which blends pineapple, banana, and coconut milk.
Alternatively, pureed watermelon and strawberries can be mixed into homemade lemonade.
Finally, bite-sized energy balls can be formed by combining mashed bananas, chopped nuts, oats, and dates.
Notes:
- ^Dole. (2026). 20 Ways to Enjoy Fresh Fruits and Vegetables – Dole Blog. Dole. Retrieved from https://www.dole.com/blog/20-ways-to-enjoy-fresh-fruits-and-vegetables (go back ↩)
