@Commons Cooks: Key Limes Not Just For Pie

Most folks outside Florida and the Caribbean associate the Key lime with the sweet, tart pie made famous in the Florida Keys. In fact, key limes  are a fruit in itself! (Don’t feel bad, we didn’t know either!) and are great for all sorts of recipes in the summer time. A key lime is actually much smaller than the average lime that you slice up for lime-ades and summer beers like Corona – it ranges in size from a ping pong ball to about a golf ball. The fruit is tarter than traditional limes and has a stronger aroma. When buying key limes, remember that while they are green at the time of purchase, they are not ripe until they turn yellow!

We recommend this quick dinner recipe because it's tasty, easy to whip up and ready to eat in under 30 minutes. But remember, when you head out with your shopping list – key limes can be hard to find. If fresh key limes are not available, no worries! Key lime concentrate juice works just fine. This dish is ideal with a side salad and a side of rice and beans.

In closing, please share pictures of your dinner creation on our Facebook page!

Key Lime Chicken Skewers 
Prep and cook time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

When using this quick marinade – remember to give the meat time to soak up the delicious flavors of this recipe! And if using  wooden skewers, don’t forget to soak them in a shallow dish of water while the chicken is marinating!

Ingredients
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• ¼ cup honey
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 2 key limes (for juice)
• 10 key limes (for skewers)
• 2 teaspoons of minced garlic
• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• Key limes for garnish (optional)

Preparation Requirements
• Small bowl
• Gallon sized plastic bag
• Four skewers
• Cast iron pan or baking (if cooking indoors)

Instructions
1. Cut chicken into one inch cubes
2. Slice 10 key limes, thin as possible
3. Mix soy sauce, honey, vegetable oil, lime juice, and garlic in small bowl to make marinade
4. Place the chicken breasts in gallon sized bag, pour marinade over chicken, seal bag tightly and shake for 20 seconds. Place aside in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes
5. Once chicken is marinated, slide chunks on skewers, alternating with thin slices of lime that are folded in half and placed in between chicken pieces
6. Preheat grill or pre-heat over to 350F.
7. Baste chicken skewers with remaining marinade
8. Grill for 5-10 minutes on each side until no longer pink in center (or bake for 15 minutes, turning once)

Grocery Guru Advice
Supermarkets: Super Stop & Shop, 700 Middle Street. Shaw’s, 610 Middle Street. Or Sunshine Fruit Company & Farmers Market, 52 Franklin Street, Quincy.