This grilled nectarines recipe is easily one of my favorites. The sweet, tart, creamy, crunchy combination and the juicy grilled fruit is truly delicious. If you didn't like nectarines before trying this, you definitely will after!
The mascarpone filling gives the tangy nectarines a slightly sweet kick that is to die for. Don't believe me? Try it. Soon.
This is also a fabulous party recipe, since the filling can be made and the fruit can be prepped in advance. Then it's just grill, dollop, serve - and pour the sparkling wine!
What is a nectarine?
A nectarine is a member of the stone fruit family. Nectarines have smooth flesh, & are closely related to peaches.
Did you know virtually all of the commercially grown nectarines in the U.S. are from California? It's true!
What does a nectarine taste like?
Yellow nectarines with bright, juicy flesh are delightful on their own. They taste great when baked in tarts and pies. On the other hand, white-fleshed nectarines have less acidity and are more fragrant and sweet. Yellow are my preference for this recipe (and all the time) but either type will be delicious.
Ingredients for this nectarines recipe
- Firm yet ripe large nectarines
- Sparkling white wine (mine is from California, of course)
- Mascarpone cheese
- Whipping cream
- Sugar
- Vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
- Fresh lemon zest
- Pistachios, walnuts or chopped dried cranberries
Do nectarines need to be peeled?
Lucky for you, there is no need to peel nectarines, but you will need to remove the pit.
To prepare the Nectarines:
Cut it along its seam and around the pit with a paring knife to remove it. To separate the two halves, give the fruit a twist.
How long are you supposed to grill nectarines?
Nectarines only need to grill 2 to 3 minutes on each side, about 6 minutes total. That's over medium-high heat.
How is this nectarines recipe served?
Plate the grilled nectarines on a platter and top each with a dollop of whipped mascarpone and a sprinkling of chopped pistachios, walnuts or cranberries.
My friend Becky does a Grilled Nectarine Shortcake that looks truly delicious! She uses sweetened crème fraîche in the dish, but I'm a big mascarpone fan. (To be honest, I love both, with mascarpone taking the slight edge.)
Speaking of Mascarpone filling...
Once you've tried this amazing grilled nectarines recipe and you're mildly obsessed with mascarpone filling, try this Raspberry Mascarpone Tart with Pistachio Crust next!
OK, let's grill some nectarines!
The Best Grilled Nectarines Recipe With Mascarpone Filling
Ingredients
- 3 Firm yet ripe large nectarines pitted and halved
- ¼ cup Sparkling white wine California sparkling, Prosecco, Champagne or other
- ¾ cup Mascarpone cheese chilled
- ¼ cup Whipping cream chilled
- 1 tablespoon Sugar
- 2 teaspoon Vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon Fresh lemon zest orange zest is also delicious
- ¼ cup Pistachios, walnuts or dried cranberries chopped (or a combination)
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Brush the nectarines with the wine. Grill until golden, tender and you have achieved beautiful grill marks, about 2 to 3 minutes on each side, 6 minutes total. Remove from the grill and let cool slightly.
- Add the mascarpone, whipping cream, sugar, lemon zest, and vanilla to a large mixing bowl and beat with a hand mixer until soft peaks appear.
- Plate the grilled nectarines on a platter and top each with a dollop of whipped mascarpone and a sprinkling of chopped pistachios, walnuts or cranberries. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Check out these delicious nectarine recipes too:
Nectarines and Crème Pink Peppercorn Honey Cake:
My friend Becky's Nectarines and Crème Pink Peppercorn Honey Cake is as summery as cakes get. The cake is made with luxuriously creamy crème fraîche, naturally sweet honey & warming pink peppercorns. Then it’s topped with fluffy, whipped crème fraîche frosting & peak of season, juicy nectarines.
Cherry Tomato, Nectarine and Mozzarella Salad
If summer were a salad it would look a lot like Becky's Cherry Tomato, Nectarine and Mozzarella Salad. Made with a seasonal mix of bursting cherry tomatoes, juicy ripe nectarines, crisp cucumbers, briny olives, fresh basil, creamy mozzarella & a simple lemon dressing.
Nectarine Arugula Pizza
At first glance, you’d think this was a “dessert” type of pizza, but don’t let the optics fool you. Without a doubt, the addition of the arugula and the salty components of the cheeses create a wonderfully rustic masterpiece with the perfect twist of sweet and savory.
Check out these other stone fruit recipes:
Peach Cobbler Smoothie
This dairy free Peach Cobbler Smoothie is a splendid breakfast treat. Creamy, peachy, and with that perfect touch of cinnamon. YUM!
Prosciutto Wrapped Prunes
Prosciutto Wrapped Prunes are a fabulous appetizer - a little surprising and an absolute crowd pleaser. If you're looking for a snack, party bite or addition to a cheese plate that people won't expect but will truly love, make a batch of these.
Cherry Basil Tabbouleh
We’re taking a walk on the wild side today and adding a fruity twist to one of our favorite Middle Eastern inspired summer side dishes! Our Cherry Basil Tabbouleh is packed with unexpected ingredients with superfood status like quinoa, basil, and dark sweet cherries.
Frequently Asked Questions about this nectarines recipe:
Straight from the freezer, frozen nectarines are ideal for smoothies and perform well in baked or cooked dishes. However, once thawed, the texture of a frozen nectarine is different compared to a fresh one. They won't perform as well in fresh applications because of this, like salad.
Nectarines go with a number of foods, they are very versatile. Almonds, cinnamon, hazelnuts, brown sugar, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, cherries, figs, lemon, lime, basil, cinnamon, mint, caramel, ginger, black pepper, vanilla and Champagne are among the foods that go well with nectarine flavors.
If you keep nectarines at room temperature after harvesting, they will continue to ripen. Never put them in the fridge before they are completely ripe. Fruit that has been chilled earlier will be mealy and flavorless.
Once the fruit has fully ripened, refrigeration is just fine.
Nectarines are genetically identical to peaches with one exception - nectarines have smooth skin rather than “peach fuzz.” Both are stone fruits with yellow or white flesh, with the yellow peaches and nectarines having a stronger flavor than white peaches or nectarines, which are often sweeter and less acidic.
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