2 cups Strawberries, hulled and halved

1 ½ cups Blueberries

2 large Bananas, sliced into ½-inch rounds

1 cup Watermelon, cut into small cubes (optional for red stripes)

½ cup Green grapes, halved (filler)

1 Kiwi, peeled and sliced (optional for white/green stripes)

Optional: Honey or lime juice for drizzling

1. Prep: Wash, dry, and hull/cut all fruit into uniform pieces.

2. Organize: Separate fruit into bowls: red (strawberries/watermelon), white (bananas/kiwi), and blue (blueberries).

3. Arrange: On a large rectangular platter, arrange red fruit in horizontal stripes, leaving a rectangle at the top-left for the blue field.

4. Field: Fill the top-left rectangle with the blueberries, spreading them evenly.

5. Stripes: Place banana slices and optional kiwi in the remaining horizontal stripes between the red rows.

6. Garnish: Fill any gaps with halved grapes and drizzle with honey or lime juice if desired just before serving.

Pro-Tips:

• Pat all fruit dry with paper towels after washing; excess moisture can cause colors to bleed.

• Assemble the tray just before serving, and add the banana slices last to prevent browning.

• Use a star-shaped cookie cutter on slices of watermelon or cantaloupe to create “stars” for the blue field.

Variations:

• Yogurt Dip: Serve with a side of vanilla Greek yogurt mixed with a touch of honey for dipping.

• Cheese Addition: Tuck cubes of mozzarella or feta between the white fruit for a savory contrast.

• Berry Medley: Use blackberries instead of blueberries for a deeper color tone.