Nutritionist Column, Cathie Ostrowski,MS,RD,LDNPicnic Time! The warm weather is here and it is time to get outside! A picnic is a great way to enjoy the outdoors while spending time with family and friends. Be creative. A picnic doesn’t have to mean a red checkered table cloth, fried chicken and potato salad.
For your picnic, think outside the box—or basket! Give your picnic a colorful tropical theme. Use a basic solid tablecloth as your picnic blanket. Visit a party store and buy colorful disposable plates and napkins. Add an inexpensive decoration or two. Don’t forget disposable utensils and cups. Have fun when planning your picnic menu but don’t forget to think about nutrition too. Traditional picnic foods can be loaded with extra fat and calories. Why not try a glazed ham? This is the perfect meat for your picnic. Not only is it nutritious and lean, it tastes great cold. And, ham tastes great with a variety of the summer’s finest fruits and vegetables. Serve it with yummy sliced tomatoes, corn, fruit salad, sparkling juice and delicate rolls. Or make a one pot dish like ham pasta salad. Kebobs are another fun picnic food.
(Don’t forget food safety . . . keep foods refrigerated until you are ready to leave. Food should be discarded if it is left out longer than three-four hours.) Use the recipes below to create a delicious experience that your friends and family won’t forget. Or, visit www.theotherwhitemeat.org for more tasty picnic recipes! Glazed Pork
Ham makes a great picnic treat. Make it special with your favorite glaze or use some of the ideas below. Purchase a small ham—you don’t want to carry leftovers around after you are through. Heat according to package directions. Baste the ham with apricot nectar and brown sugar, apple cider and honey, or give it an Asian flare with honey, soy sauce, a touch of canola oil and balsamic vinaigrette. Pork Kebobs on Bamboo Skewers
There are endless options for pork kebobs as well.
• For a tropical treat, alternate one inch cubes of diced ham, cantaloupe and pineapple.
• Another tasty option is to alternate ham cubes, pearl onions and cherry tomatoes. Brush with canola or olive oil and grill well prior to packing in your picnic basket. Colorful Ham Pasta Salad
This recipe is much healthier than traditional potato or macaroni salad. And, pasta salad is a one dish meal that is served cold. Perfect for a picnic!
To one pound of cooked rotini,
add ½ cup Italian salad dressing,
8 ounces cooked lean ham,
2 cups grape tomatoes,
1 cup steamed broccoli florets and
1 cup diced mozzarella cheese cubes. Corn Confetti
A great cold side dish that takes minutes to make.
1 can corn, drained
2 Tbsp finely chopped green onion
¼ cup red peppers, finely diced.
Toss all ingredients and chill. Sparkling Apple Juice Delight
This light summer drink is low in calories and tastes great
1 quart apple juice
1 liter diet ginger ale
1 green apple, diced into small pieces
Several sprigs of mint Fruit Salad Delight
These fruits go especially well with ham.
2 cups fresh pineapple chunks
½ cantaloupe, cut into one inch cubes
1 cup blueberries
1 cup strawberries
Toss with 2 Tbsp orange juice to help fruit stay fresh. Yours in Good Health,
Cathie Ostrowski, MS, RD, LDN
NC Pork Council Nutritionist | 
