For me, healthy summertime snacks are de rigueur, since I’m found in a bathing suit most weekends.  That said, I always have on hand fresh fruit, great cheese and ready-to-munch vegetables – but putting them on a platter is uninspired.  It’s old-school.

Instead, I like to create skewer snacks that not only look fabulous but taste great, too.  Just [lightbox href=”http://youtu.be/X7w1KHKkRdk”]Click Here[/lightbox] to see how you can make simple and delicious fruit and veggie kabobs in minutes plus make great dips to go with them!

When I’m giving a party, I like displaying cut fruit in “natural” bowls.  I’ll hollow-out a small watermelon half and fill it with cubes of watermelon and cut strawberries.  In a hollowed-out pineapple, I’ll put pineapple cubes, chunks of papaya and banana slices, and in a hollowed-out cantaloupe half, I’ll place balls of cantaloupe (made by using a mini-ice cream scoop), grapes and blackberries.  Of course, if you don’t have time to carve and cut fruit, pretty baskets and plates always look beautiful.

So, here’s to creative and delicious snacking!  Happy summer, everyone!