Whether you need to appease your afternoon appetite, halt hunger during a hike or make munchies for your little munchkins, there’s no better snack choice than grapes. Portable, sharable and ready to eat – no peeling or coring required – grapes are the ideal snack. Grapes satisfy hunger and provide a fresh pick-me-up energy boost, without the added fat, salt and sugar of many other snack choices.
A 3/4-cup serving has just 90 calories; compare that to a serving of chips or cookies and you’ll quickly see why grapes are the smart and scrumptious choice. Plus, they’re juicy and hydrating, making them a perfect pick, especially on sultry summer days.
Beyond their naturally easy grab-and-go bunch, California grapes can also be paired with other foods to create unique and tasty snacks.
Try these favorites:
Frozen Grapes:
Rinse clusters under running water and drain well. Pick the grapes off their stems or place full clusters on a cookie sheet and put in the freezer. After two hours, grapes will be ready to eat.
Fresh Grape Trail Mix:
Combine 1 cup of red, green or black seedless California grapes with some diced jack or cheddar cheese, a few chocolate chips and some almonds, peanuts or sunflower seeds in a resealable bag. Keep chilled until ready to serve.
Graham Cracker Grape Sandwiches:
Spread cream cheese on top of graham crackers and top with halved or sliced grapes. Eat open-faced or add another cream cheese-covered graham cracker on top for a complete sandwich.
Great Grape Smoothie:
Combine 1 cup of California seedless grapes, 1/2 cup each frozen cherries and strawberries, and 1/2 cup each orange and banana (peeled and sliced) in a blender and whirl until mixture is smooth. Pour into two chilled glasses.
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