For some folks, summer begins with Memorial Day.  For us, it begins with the first platter of chicken hearts, the little harvest we enjoy for ourselves after the first batch of pastured chickens has been processed and sold.  Grilled and served on skewers, Saoirse and Ula always devour them in a ravenous frenzy.  I don’t know what it is about chicken hearts that qualify them as “kid fare,” but they get excited when I just talk about them, and they take great pleasure knowing that most customers prefer to leave them behind.  They coax their friends to try them as well, which surprisingly takes very little convincing, and even their pickiest buddies take to tearing into these chewy morsels while hanging out with us on the screen porch. So, in honor of the start of summer, here’s a recipe for grilled chicken hearts:

Jerk Chicken Hearts

Serves 4

4 bamboo skewers, soaked in water

32 chicken hearts

Jerk Marinade (see below) Note:  any tasty meat marinade will do, this one is the girls’ favorite.

Pour the marinade into a glass or stainless steel bowl.  Add the chicken hearts, cover and refrigerate overnight or up to three days.

Just before grilling, remove the hearts from the marinade, spear it onto skewers, then blot it dry.

Light one side of the grill and allow it to warm until it is hot.  When it is fully warmed, you should be able to hold your hand 4 inches above the grate for no more than 2-3 seconds.  Place the skewers directly over the flame.  Sear them for 2 minutes, then turn and sear two minutes longer.  Move the skewers to the side of the grill that is not lit, cover, and cook indirectly for 4-6 minutes longer.

 

Jerk Marinade

1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped

2 tablespoons chives, minced

1/2 small onion, skin and root tip removed

1 teaspoon dried mustard

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

2-3 teaspoons cayenne pepper

2 tablespoons ground allspice

2 tablespoons dried thyme

2 cloves garlic

1/4 cup lime juice (lemon juice can be substituted)

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup honey

1 cup strong black coffee

Combine all the above ingredients in a food processor and blend until liquified.