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An Easy Recipe for Skewers with Apples & Onion
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It’s official – California apple season is here! While many think of apples as a fall fruit, California’s unique climate blesses us with fresh apples from July through January. Now is the perfect time to enjoy a recipe for skewers that highlights these juicy, Golden State gems. Planning a summer cookout or just looking for a tasty and easy dinner? This recipe for skewers with Chicken sausage, apple, and onions is sure to impress.
A Closer Look at California Apples
Did you know that California’s diverse climate allows for the growth of a wide range of produce, including apples? Regions like the Pacific Northwest are renowned for their apple orchards, but California stands strong comparatively as the 5th largest producer of apples in the United States. With an ideal climate, the upper Northern regions of California are perfect for growing varieties like Gala, Fuji, Granny Smith, and Cripps Pink. This variety of apples means you will have a perfect pick for a savory skewer or a sweet dessert – or whatever you are making.
Apples and the Golden State
California’s contribution to apple production is significant, not just domestically but also on a global scale. The state is the 2nd largest exporter of apples in the United States, showcasing the quality and appeal of our produce worldwide. The apple harvest season in California spans from July to October, offering a long window for enjoying this delicious fruit. Seriously, it’s time to forget the stereotype of apples being just for autumn because the Golden State blesses us with these crunchy delights for half the year!
The Nutritional Benefits of Apples
Apples aren’t just tasty -they’re also packed with nutrients. Rich in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, they are a healthy addition to any meal. Including apples in your diet can help promote heart health, aid in digestion, and even support weight management. Choosing CA GROWN apples means you’re getting not only a delicious snack, but also a powerhouse of nutrition.
What Types of Apples are Best for Making Skewers?
For our skewer recipe, we recommend using Granny Smith and Fuji apples. These varieties are in season now and are perfect for grilling. Granny Smith apples bring a tart and tangy flavor that contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of Fuji apples.
The Importance of Skewer Choices and Preparation
The type of skewer you use can make a significant difference when grilling. Wooden, bamboo, and metal skewers each have advantages.
- Wooden and bamboo skewers are affordable and disposable, making cleanup a breeze. However, it’s crucial to soak wooden and bamboo skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling. This prevents them from burning on the grill, ensuring your food cooks evenly without any charred stick mishaps.
- Metal skewers, on the other hand, are reusable and conduct heat well. This can help cook your ingredients more evenly.
Whichever type you choose, preparing your skewers properly is key to a successful grilling experience.
Ingredients for the Skewers
Here’s what you need to make these delicious skewers:
These skewers are delicious all on their own. They are so next-level delicious when drizzled with hot honey right before serving.
How to Make Hot Honey
Do you have a hankering for the hot stuff?! Our hot honey recipe is quite possibly the easiest recipe for hot honey you’ll come across on the internet. This small-batch recipe is completely customizable and only limited by your imagination.
Click here to make this recipe for hot honey.
The Perfect Trio: Why Chicken Sausage, Apples, and Onions Are a Match Made in Heaven
The combination of chicken sausage, apples, and onions is unbeatable for creating a flavor-packed skewer.
The savory richness of the chicken sausage pairs beautifully with the sweet and tart notes of California apples, creating a harmonious balance that really does a number on the ‘ol taste buds.
What Type of Wine Pairs Best with our Recipe for Skewers
We personally love to pair this recipe for grilled skewers with Sauvignon Blanc from California. Its cold, crisp, refreshing flavor is the perfect accompaniment to the smoky skewers.
How to Build This Recipe for Skewers
First, preheat your hot grill to medium-high heat. This ensures that your skewers will cook evenly and achieve that perfect char. While the grill heats up, start threading the prepared ingredients onto the skewers.
Alternate pieces of red apple, green apple, red onion, and chicken sausage. The colorful combination is visually appealing and packs a real punch in terms of flavor.
Grilling Tips for Perfection
Grill grates can be tricky, so here’s a pro tip: brush the skewers with a bit of olive oil to prevent sticking.
Place the skewers on the grill and let them cook for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure even cooking.
The apples should be tender with a slight caramelization, and the chicken sausage should be fully cooked through.
More Apple Recipes to Explore Next
If you’re as enthusiastic about apples as we are, you’ll love trying out more recipes that showcase the versatility of this fruit. Here are a few recipes that we think will change your apple game:
- Apple Cinnamon Cake– This cake from Displaced Housewife uses just eight basic ingredients and one bowl to make! It is loaded with fresh apples and cinnamon and topped with crunchy almonds.
- Fennel Roasted Pork Belly with Cider Apples– This fennel roasted pork belly with cider apples from Beyond Sweet & Savory will give you the best fennel flavor, crispy crackling, and tender meat with sweet cider apples.
- Red Apple Sangria– We have never seen or tasted a more beautiful sangria, and we bet you won’t either! From the brown sugar rim to the fresh slices of apple and orange flavoring, the entire sangria pitcher is a sipper. Get it from the California Wines free eBook – it’s NOT to be missed.
- Gluten-Free French Apple Cake– This cake recipe from G-Free Foodie has a rich custardy bottom, a light cake layer, and a crisp sugary topping. Serve it warm, or at room temperature-and why not try a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
- Spiced Apple Butter– Our spiced apple butter is perfect for spreading on toast, stirring into oatmeal, or using it as a flavorful condiment. It is a fall favorite that you can enjoy year-round.
For more mouth-watering apple recipes, check out our full list of 20 Apple Recipes That Will Change Your Life.
Be sure to share your best recipe for skewers with us by snapping a pic and tagging us on social using #CAGROWN. Craving more CA GROWN goodness? Follow us on Pinterest for fresh and fabulous recipe inspiration!
Apple, Onion, and Chicken Sausage Skewers
Ingredients
- 6-8 skewers metal or wooden. Soaked in water for 30 minutes if wooden skewers.
- 1 package chicken sausage fully cooked
- 1 red apple
- 1 green apple
- 1 red onion
- olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- hot honey if desired, to serve. Recipe here.
Instructions
To make the skewers:
- If using wooden skewers, soak the skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent them from burning on the grill.
- Preheat the grill to high heat, about 400℉ (200℃).
- Slice the chicken sausage into 1-inch thick pieces.
- Core the red and green apples and cut them into 1-inch cubes.
- Peel the red onion and cut it into 1-inch squares.
- Thread the ingredients onto the skewers in an alternating pattern. For example: start with a piece of chicken sausage, followed by a piece of red apple, then green apple, and a layer of red onion. Repeat this pattern until each skewer is full, leaving a little space at each end of the skewer. You can arrange the order of ingredients on the skewers however you like.
- Once you have arranged the skewers, lightly brush each with olive oil to enhance grilling and prevent sticking.
- Place the skewers on the preheated grill. Cook for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken sausage, vegetables, and apples are tender and slightly charred.
- Remove the skewers from the grill and let them cool slightly before serving. Drizzle with hot honey if desired.
Notes
Want to add even more CA GROWN veggies to your skewers?
You can add one yellow and one red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and cut into 1-inch squares to the rotation on the skewers. Small, par-boiled fingerling potatoes are also delicious as a part of these skewers.Store refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
The Very Best Skewer Recipes for Every Occasion
If you’re looking to diversify your skewer game beyond apples and onions, check out these mouth-watering recipes from some of our California Creators.
Fruit Skewers
Looking for a sophisticated twist on traditional skewers? Try the California Pear and Jack Cheese Herb Skewers from Real California Milk. This recipe pairs the sweet juiciness of fresh California pears with creamy Jack cheese, all infused with aromatic herbs.
Beef Skewers
If you’re a meat lover, you’ll adore Kate’s Best Recipes’ Beef Skewers. This recipe features tender beef marinated to perfection, offering a savory and satisfying option for your next cookout. The rich flavors and succulent texture make these skewers a must-try for any grilling enthusiast.
Spicy Papaya Lime Shrimp Skewers
For a seafood twist, Hola Jalapeño’s Spicy Papaya Lime Shrimp Skewers are a game changer. This recipe combines the sweet and tangy flavors of papaya and lime with succulent shrimp, creating a vibrant and refreshing dish that’s perfect for summer.
Grilled Veggie Skewers
Vegetarians will love Hola Jalapeño’s Grilled Veggie Skewers. This recipe features a vibrant medley of seasonal vegetables charred to smoky perfection. It’s a nutritious and delicious option that adds a burst of color and flavor to your grilling menu.
Turkey Kofta Kebabs
If you’re in the mood for something different, A Girl Defloured’s Turkey Kofta Kebab is a delightful choice. This recipe offers a blend of spices and ground turkey that’s both healthy and flavorful, making it a unique and tasty addition to your skewer repertoire.
Lula Kebab
For a taste of traditional Armenian cuisine, try G-Free Foodie’s Lula Kebab. What is Lula Kebab? It is ground beef and lamb (or all lamb, in certain circumstances) that is blended with onions, spices, and fresh herbs that is baked or grilled.