A beautiful fruit tray is one of those effortless crowd-pleasers that always disappears first. Bursting with vibrant color, natural sweetness, and fresh flavor, it brings a light, refreshing balance to any table - whether you're hosting brunch, setting out appetizers or finishing a meal on a bright note.
Cut ends off pineapple. Stand it vertically and cut skin away from the flesh by following the shape of the pineapple. Trim off any remaining "eyes" as needed.
Slice in half vertically. Then cut each half in half again (you'll have 4 long wedges). Cut a thin strip out of each wedge to remove the tough core. Lay each wedge flat and slice crosswise to make halfmoons.
Melons
For a melon like honeydew or cantaloupe, place on it's side so the stem is facing upwards, and cut in half lengthwise. Remove seeds with a spoon. Cut each half into long wedges. Remove skin on each wedge with a knife following the shape of the melon. Slice wedge into pieces.
Dragonfruit
For a dragon fruit slice the fruit in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to loosen the fruit from the skin and remove in one chunk. Cut into cubes.
Kiwi
For kiwi, slice the ends off and stand it vertically. Use a knife to remove the skin by cutting from the top to the bottom between the flesh and the skin following the shape of the fruit. Slice into rounds.
Berries
Wash berries with fresh water and then thoroughly dry to prevent sogginess.
Putting the Tray Together
Use the shape of the plate to guide you in how you arrange the fruit. Start with where you want to place the largest fruit and work your way to the smaller fruits. If you have a dip, arrange the fruit around that.
If adding a fruit dip, decide where that will go, then fill in any gaps with the smaller fruits.
Notes
Choose fruit that is ripe. You may need to plan ahead with fruit like pineapple which often needs ripening at home before it can be used.
The melon near the skin is not very sweet so it's a good idea to remove some of the melon along with the skin.
Fruit that is in season will have the best flavor.