We’re not talking about skewers, which make grilling and serving easier; or ice pops, candy apples, or cotton candy, which require a stick to be held and eaten.

No, many foods that were once served with a fork or a toothpick, with or without a dipping sauce, are now placed atop wooden ice-pop sticks. Consider chicken nuggets, fried ravioli, meatballs, mini franks, rumaki, bacon-wrapped baby potatoes, and Caprese stacks. You can find them all on sticks.

Why? It’s fun. (We hate to think, cynically, that the movement was started by manufacturers of the ice pop sticks.)

We particularly liked the fun of watermelon slices on sticks: an idea for your upcoming Memorial Day festivities.

The idea is from South Fork And Spoon, a Bridgehampton, New York-based caterer and “food concierge” that has a website full of tempting fare for lucky Hamptonians.

Watermelon on a stick: more elegant than hands-only, more fun than a fork. Photo courtesy South Fork And Spoon.

And by the way: March 28th is National Something On A Stick Day.
 
 
IOWA STATE FAIR FOODS ON A STICK

The Iowa State Fair touts “60 foods on a stick,” from hard-boiled eggs to deep-fried brownies. The blog Brit.co features 100 foods on a stick.

Here’s a selection from both, which includes everything from junk food to elegant fare. Visit the sites directly to see the photos.
 
BREAKFAST ON A STICK

 
CANDY, FRUIT & SWEET SNACKS ON A STICK

 
SAVORY SNACKS ON A STICKv

 
 
RECYCLE THE STICKS

There’s no reason not to collect, wash and reuse wood Popsicle sticks—or Wooden Treat Sticks or craft sticks, as they are more properly known (Popsicle is a trademarked name, not a generic term). Why throw things into the landfill when they can enjoy a second (or tenth) life?