Shrimp on the Grill, Pineapple Charred Black, Neighbors Showing Up
Yuzu kosho shrimp and a hot, sweet pineapple salsa. It's a Florida backyard plate with a Nikkei accent, built for a crowd and done in 40 minutes.

The smoke does its magic. You just have to be patient enough to let it.
Y'all, when the neighbors drift over to the grill, this is what I want in their hands. Shrimp on a stick, a little heat, a little sweet, and a pile of salsa that smells like a Tampa summer. It's an appetizer that eats like dinner, and it feeds four with room to spare when friends show up.

Tools for this recipe.
Nothing fancy here. A grill or grill pan, a good knife, and a few things you've likely got in the drawer already.
- wooden skewers
- small bowl
- shallow dish
- cutting board
- chef's knife
- grill pan
- tongs
- serving platter
- whisk
Cilantro is the herb that ties the salsa together. These are the partners it likes best.
Fresh CilantroMicrogreens
Score 100Both carry piney and fresh notes.
Fresh CilantroLime
Score 95Mexican cuisine staple. Both carry piney and fresh notes.
JalapeÑOFresh Cilantro
Score 85Fresh salsa trinity. Both carry piney and fresh notes.
On the table
The salsa does the heavy lifting. Lime and cilantro cut the sweet char of the pineapple and the salt of the kosho, and a handful of microgreens on top looks nice. I'd set out cold sweet tea, and maybe grilled summer corn alongside.

Lay the skewers across the grates and leave them alone. Resist the urge to nudge. Taste the salsa before adding salt, since the marinade already brings plenty.
Swap the pineapple for mango or papaya when that's what the market has. Serrano instead of jalapeño turns up the fire. No yuzu kosho in your town? Sambal oelek or another chili paste will do, though you'll miss the citrus.
Here's what's in the dish and which eating styles it fits. Check how your own ingredients are sourced and certified.
- Contains
- crustacean shellfish
- Fits
- Pescatarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Paleo, Halal
Halal and kosher also depend on how the ingredients are sourced and certified.
Feeding a crowd adds up, so here's what this plate costs, laid out by grocery section.
- Produce
- $9.43
- Seafood
- $9.99
- Condiments & Sauces
- $3.00
- Oils & Vinegars
- $0.33
- Spices & Seasonings
- $0.05
- Baking
- $0.12
Call somebody over, hand them a skewer, and let them watch the fire with you. Dinner's only 40 minutes away. Fire up something good.
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