End of Summer Party......Chicken & Plum Skewers


It's that time again.
Labor day weekend, when we say goodbye to summer.

We have such a short growing season here on the east coast, I hate to see it go.

But September is my favorite month of the year.

I love the sound of the cicadas at night, and the sky looks so beautiful during the early evening.

The MCG is still producing plenty of tomatoes, eggplant and peppers for now.

The beach is the best in September, and the kids go back to school, so things start getting back to normal.

Here we had a little patio party, really to celebrate a friend's birthday, but you could certainly make this menu for Labor Day weekend.

Plums are plentiful right now at the market, and grilled up, they taste like candy.
They get syrupy and sweet and are perfect paired with chicken.

I paired the skewers with a nice Persian Quinoa Salad (recipe to come), and my Jersey "hairlooms" w/ fresh mozzarella.


Grilled Chicken & Plum Skewers w/ Red Onion: (adapted from Rustic Italian) serves 4

2 ripe plums, cut into about 6 thick slices
1 small red onion, stem attached, cut into wedges
8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, each cut into 4 pieces (if they are small, cut into thirds)

Marinade:
1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar
1 clove minced garlic
kosher salt & pepper
1 tbsp of fresh chopped sage
1/4 olive oil

Marinate the chicken thigh pieces about 8 hours, or overnight.

Thread chicken pieces onto metal skewers with wedges of plum and onion. If you are using wooden skewers, make sure you soak them in water for a few hours so they don't burn on the grill.

Light grill on medium and cook about 8 minutes total, turing during the cooking process.

Serve on couscous, quinoa or rice.


Delicious! Enjoy!

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Comments

Ciao Chow Linda said…
I'll be sorry to see summer end too, Stacey, with all that bounty of fresh produce from the garden. Your menu for this dinner sounds so inviting and your friends are very lucky to have you cook for them. I love all of Domenica's recipes and I'll be posting tomorrow about her new cookbook.
I'm crying that summer is almost over!I'm going to miss all the fresh fruit, herbs and veggies, I need to get over it I know. I never thought of grilling plums with chicken, that sounds so good, lucky birthday person! You know I have one in November in case you were wondering...
domenicacooks said…
I think September might be my favorite month too ~ for the same reasons you mention: the cicada songs, the sky at dusk, the cooler evenings and drier air. I have not made these chicken skewers in a good while. Thanks for the reminder. Maybe for Labor Day. Cheers and enjoy the long weekend.
Anonymous said…
Ah yes, the September bonus of the kids back in school, except this year, sniff, my Henry, son #1 of 3, is off to college! Hard to believe. We were down in Summit this weekend for a party at the arboretum - I toyed with the idea of a surprise visit to the Snacks residence, but you know me, 'shy'!
Tracey said…
I am making this menu for Labor day, hope you'll post the quinoa salad recipe soon!

Thanks,
Tracey