Juicy grilled pork Scotch topped with a fresh blackberry, nectarine, and cherry salsa—summer’s best flavours in one stunning, easy-to-make dish. Summer on a plate! Juicy grilled pork meets a vibrant blackberry, nectarine & cherry salsa. Perfect for sunny days and happy taste buds. #SummerEats #GrilledPork
Summer is all about fresh produce, good company, and unforgettable meals. Recently, my family and I, along with some close friends, took a three-day trip to Mangakino, a charming spot near the Waikato River. We rented an Airbnb that was perfect in every way—Coco, our dog, was allowed, and the house was right in front of a golf course and a disc golf course with stunning views of the river. But the real gem? A bountiful plantation of wild blackberries just waiting to be discovered.
A Serendipitous Discovery
We stumbled upon the blackberries quite by accident. While taking a stroll, we noticed a father and daughter picking something from the bushes. Curious, we approached them and found out they were harvesting wild blackberries. It was a delightful surprise! Blackberries in New Zealand can be quite pricey, often costing around NZ$40 to NZ$50 per kilogram, so finding them in the wild felt like striking gold. We ended up harvesting about 2 kilograms each—some we ate fresh, some we froze, and the rest we used in this incredible dish: Grilled Pork Scotch with Blackberry, Nectarine & Cherry Salsa.
The Dish: A Symphony of Summer Flavours
This dish is a celebration of summer. The pork Scotch fillets are seasoned simply with salt and pepper, then grilled to perfection until tender and juicy. But the real star of the show is the salsa. Made with freshly picked wild blackberries, sweet cherries, grilled ripe nectarines, zesty lime, and fragrant basil, it’s a vibrant mix of sweet and savoury flavours that perfectly complements the rich, savoury pork.
The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity. It looks and tastes like something you’d spend hours preparing, but it comes together in just minutes. The combination of the savoury pork and the fruity salsa is a match made in culinary heaven. If you’ve ever enjoyed the classic pairing of pork and apples, you’ll love this elevated version that brings together the best of summer’s bounty.
Why This Dish Works
Pork and fruit are a timeless combination. The natural sweetness of the fruit balances the richness of the pork, creating a harmonious blend of flavours. In this dish, the tartness of the blackberries, the sweetness of the cherries and nectarines, and the freshness of the basil and lime come together to create a salsa that’s both refreshing and indulgent. It’s a dish that feels special yet is incredibly easy to make, making it perfect for summer gatherings or even a quiet dinner at home.
A Taste of Summer
This Grilled Pork Scotch with Blackberry, Nectarine & Cherry Salsa is more than just a meal—it’s a memory. It reminds me of that sunny day in Mangakino, the laughter shared with friends, and the joy of discovering something unexpected. It’s a dish that captures the essence of summer, and I hope it brings a little bit of that magic to your table too.
Preheat your grill or barbecue to medium-high heat. Grill the pork for 5 minutes on each side, or until cooked through and slightly charred. Remove from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes.
Gently grill the nectarine wedges until char marks form on both sides. Let it cool.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cherries, blackberries, cherry tomatoes, and nectarine slices.
Drizzle with honey and lime juice, then sprinkle in the lime zest.
Season with a pinch of salt and pepper, then gently toss everything together.
Finish by adding the torn basil leaves and giving the salsa one final mix.
Place the grilled pork scotch steaks on a serving platter.
Spoon the blackberry, nectarine, and cherry salsa generously over the top.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Grilling Tip: For extra flavour, marinate the pork scotch in a mix of olive oil, garlic, and herbs for 30 minutes before grilling.
Salsa Variations: Swap blackberries for raspberries or add a chilli for a spicy kick.
Summer on a plate! So fruity, colourful and delicious.
Absolutely gorgeous! I have no idea what a pork scotch steak is! I’ll have to google.
Wow this dish is an epitome to summer - so delicious, bright, and fresh. And I do love your artistic styling - well done!
I'm not familiar with the term pork scotch, but I see grilling involved, so I know I will like it! This sounds delicious...and a great way to use that blackberries!
I had to look up pork scotch steaks—sounds like a really flavorful cut. Perfect for pairing with that gorgeous fruit. Love the story of finding the berries at your Airbnb!
Yes ita one of the best pork cuts. Have you tried pork neck, that one is even better.
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Summer on a plate! So fruity, colourful and delicious.
Absolutely gorgeous! I have no idea what a pork scotch steak is! I’ll have to google.
Wow this dish is an epitome to summer - so delicious, bright, and fresh. And I do love your artistic styling - well done!
I'm not familiar with the term pork scotch, but I see grilling involved, so I know I will like it! This sounds delicious...and a great way to use that blackberries!
I had to look up pork scotch steaks—sounds like a really flavorful cut. Perfect for pairing with that gorgeous fruit. Love the story of finding the berries at your Airbnb!
Yes ita one of the best pork cuts. Have you tried pork neck, that one is even better.