Name: Roasted Moon Drop Grapes
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 pound Moon Drop Grapes; 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil; 1/4 cup fresh goat cheese; 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary; 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper to taste; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 tablespoon fresh basil

Try this simple and delicious recipe for Roasted Moon Drop Grapes with goat cheese and rosemary. Moon Drop Grapes are incredibly delicious on their own, but roasting give them an even deeper, sweeter flavor. Pairing them with creamy Goat Cheese transforms them into something truly extraordinary, making each bite a special delight. Top them with fresh basil and watch these disappear!

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Roasted Moon Drop grapes can be served in various dishes and culinary creations. Their sweet and intensified flavor makes them a versatile ingredient. You can serve them on a charcuterie board, sprinkle them over salads for a burst of sweetness, or pair them with proteins like pork chops, chicken, or duck to add a unique touch. Additionally, they can be incorporated into desserts, such as ice creams or tarts, for a delightful fruity flavor.

Moon Drop Grapes are only in season for a limited time; most stores carry them from August to November or while supplies last. So, grab a bunch while they’re fresh!

Grapes displayed on white kitchen towel, with some fresh, green grapes brunches with leaves.

Because Halloween is around the corner, Moon Drop grapes are perfect for this season. The finger-like shape of these grapes adds a peculiar yet enjoyable twist, making them a fantastic addition to any Halloween party. Long in shape, they resemble toes, or fingers if you want to imagine that. With their distinctive appearance, they lend themselves to various creative plating options, making them a versatile choice for spooky culinary delights.

WHAT ARE MOON DROP GRAPES?

Moon Drop grapes are characterized by their distinctive elongated shape, resembling a miniature eggplant or even a crescent moon, which gives them their name. Moon Drop Grapes are seedless, making them convenient, easy to eat and each grape showcase a characteristic dimple on one end. The grape’s skin is smooth, semi-thick, glossy and taut.

They are a new grape variety grown by The Grapery in California, and were created in 2004 by fruit geneticist Dr. David Cain of International fruit Genetics. Important to note, Moon Drop Grapes are cultivated and bred without additives or GMOs. The grapes are not cultivated in home gardens as the variety is protected by its patent until at least June 2031. Moon Drop Grapes have a short growing season from August-November so are only available for a few month.

They have a high sugar content and a pleasing texture, combining the crunchiness of red grapes with the sweetness of Thompson Seedless grapes. They are delicious raw, but roasting caramelizes the sugars and pairs well with the Goat Cheese in this recipe.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

Quick & Easy Delights! This dish comes together in 20 minutes or less, making it perfect for those busy days.
High Heat Magic! Roasting at high heat brings out the grapes’ natural sweetness and intensifies their flavor, creating a delectable caramelization.
A Symphony of Flavors! The grapes’ sweetness finds harmony with the creamy goat cheese and rosemary.
Enjoy any time of day! Roasted grapes are incredibly versatile, fitting seamlessly into any part of your day – whether it’s a delightful addition to brunch, a refreshing element for lunch, a flavorful twist for dinner, or a sweet indulgence in desserts!

WHAT ARE ROASTED GRAPES?

If you haven’t tried roasting grapes before, you’re in for a delightful surprise. Roasting grapes in the oven is nothing short of magical, in my personal view. While grapes are already a delightful snack and provide a satisfying crunch in fruit salads, roasting them takes their flavor to an entirely new dimension. Simply coat them with olive oil and let them roast, and you’ll witness these once ordinary grapes transform into succulent, flavor-infused gems that literally burst with every bite.

Baked Moon Drop Grapes with goat cheese and sprinkled with fresh basil, on blue porcelain plater.

INGREDIENTS

Here’s a glance at the ingredients you’ll need to make this recipe.

Moon Drop Grapes
Extra Virgin Olive oil: Just use your everyday extra virgin olive oil.
Goat Cheese: Goat cheese taste amazing with grapes. Especially roasted grapes! I like using unflavored goat cheese.
Fresh Rosemary
Salt and pepper
Fresh Basil for garnish

HOW TO SERVE ROASTED MOON DROP GRAPES?

Here are some creative serving suggestions for Roasted Moon Drop grapes:

As an Appetizer: Serve Roasted Moon Drop grapes with goat cheese and fresh herbs as a delightful appetizer.
On a Cheese Platter: Add Roasted Moon Drop grapes to a cheese platter. Their caramelized sweetness pairs well with a variety of cheeses like brie, goat cheese, blue cheese, or camembert.
In Salads: Toss Roasted Moon Drop grapes into salads for a burst of sweetness and a unique texture.
As a Side Dish: Serve Roasted Moon Drop grapes as a side dish with roasted meats such as pork, chicken, duck, or white fish.
On Crostini: Spread goat cheese on crostini and top with Roasted Moon Drop grapes for an elegant and flavorful appetizer.
In Yogurt Parfaits: Layer Roasted Moon Drop grapes with yogurt and granola.
With Desserts: Use Roasted Moon Drop grapes as a topping for desserts like ice cream, panna cotta, or cheesecake.
As a Pizza Topping: Scatter Roasted Moon Drop grapes over a pizza along with cheese and prosciutto for a unique and tasty pizza topping combination.

HOW TO STORE FRESH UNWASHED MOON DROP GRAPES?

To store fresh unwashed Moon Drop grapes and keep them fresh for longer, follow these steps:

Refrigeration: Place the unwashed grapes in a fresh storage container or a produce drawer in your refrigerator. Will keep one week when stored in the refrigerator. They can also be frozen for extended use. Rinse before serving.
Do Not Remove Stems: Keep the grapes attached to their stems. Removing stems can cause the grapes to deteriorate faster.
Avoid storing compressed or squeezed: Do not overcrowd the grapes. If they are too tightly packed, they can get squished and spoil more quickly. Spread them out in a single layer for proper air circulation.
Check Regularly: Even when stored properly, fresh grapes have a limited shelf life. Check the grapes regularly and remove any that have become soft, moldy, or spoiled to prevent them from affecting the rest of the batch.
Separate from Ethylene-Producing Fruits: Grapes are sensitive to ethylene gas, which accelerates ripening. Keep them away from ethylene-producing fruits like apples, bananas, and avocados to prevent overripening. Do not store grapes next to onion or leeks to avoid odor absorption.

Fresh, Unbaked Moon Drop Grapes with fresh rosemary in white square baking dish.

ROASTING MOON DROP GRAPES: Step-by-step instructions:

Detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the page on the printable recipe card.

Step 1: Preheat oven & prepare the grapes for roasting

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Wash your grapes under running water and gently pat them dry. Remove the stems, and arrange them on the baking dish in a single layer.

Baked Moon Drop grapes with rosemary in white square baking dish, placed on white dish cloth, beside few green grapes brunches.

Step 2: Roast grapes

Drizzle with olive oil and gently stir until the grapes are lightly coated with the oil. Scatter the rosemary over the grapes, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast the grapes for 15 minutes, or until they are softened, and just beginning to wrinkle.

Step 3: Assemble the Roasted Grape Goat Cheese Platter

Remove the baking dish from the oven and spoon the grapes onto a serving platter. Coarsely crumble the goat cheese and sprinkle it over the top. Garnish with fresh basil strips and sprinkle with a pinch of freshly ground pepper. Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy !

TIPS and RECIPE FAQs

What does moon drop grapes taste like?

Moon Drop grapes are known for their exceptional sweetness and crisp texture. When you bite into a Moon Drop grape, you’ll experience a burst of natural sugar, accompanied by a mild floral flavor. Their taste is often described as intensely sweet, similar to other black grape varieties, but with a unique and pleasant twist. The elongated shape of Moon Drop grapes provides a satisfying crunch, making them a delightful and refreshing snack.

How long will the roasted grapes remain fresh and flavorful after being cooked?

After roasting grapes, I find they stay fresh in the refrigerator for approximately 1 to 2 days when kept in an airtight container. I always make sure to refrigerate them promptly after cooking and pay attention to any signs of spoilage, like off odors or mold, before enjoying them.

How to grow Moon Drop grapes at home?

Moon Drop grapes cannot be grown at home. They are under patent protection until at least 2031.

RECIPE VARIATIONS

Regular seedless grapes work well for this recipe. Feel free to mix and match colors, such as red, and black, for a visually appealing presentation.
Rosemary really complements the sweetness of the roasted grapes in this recipe, but thyme is lovely too. And if you don’t have either, try dried or just skip the herbs.
You could also top the fruit with crushed walnuts or shelled, chopped pistachios.

Baked Moon Drop Grapes with goat cheese and sprinkled with fresh chopped basil, on white porcelain plater.

MORE FALL RECIPES

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Happy Baking! -A

The nutritional and calories information shown is an estimated provided by an online nutrition calculator. It does not assert or suggest that readers should or should not count calories, and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s or doctor’s counselling.