Summer time is picnic time and it’s so much fun to gather family and friends together for an al fresco feast. Food for a picnic needs to be easy to transport and easy to eat. And it should be delicious, too!

Swipe through to get ideas for easy picnic dishes.

Watermelon Salad

Combine cubed watermelon, half-moons of sliced cucumber and crumbles of feta. Add finely chopped mint, basil or cilantro and finely diced red onion. Make a dressing of olive oil and lemon or lime, and mix it altogether. Keep it cool as you head for the picnic site.

Italian Sandwiches

Make your picnic sandwiches extra special by packing them with tons of sliced turkey plus your favorite Italian sliced meat —prosciutto, salami, mortadella—whatever you like. Add sun-dried tomatoes, your favorite cheese and whatever dressing you like.

Photography: Pinterest/Baker by Nature | Easy to Make Sweet

Fried Chicken

Fried chicken is a classic picnic food that you can easily pack and carry. You can eat it at room temperature for about two hours after it’s been cooked; if it will be longer than that before you can eat, pack the chicken in ice and eat it cold. It’s quite tasty that way.

Caprese Salad Skewers

Thread cherry tomatoes, basil leaves and mozzarella pearls on wooden skewers (soak the skewers in water first). Place the skewers in a plastic container and drizzle with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. These make delicious and easy-to-eat picnic food.

Photography: Pinterest/Gymonset

Mini Quiche

Whip up or purchase some mini quiches. These bite-sized bits are perfect for a picnic. They can be served room temperature (if not left out for more than a couple hours) or cold.

Cucumber Slices

Summer cucumber, sliced thinly, makes an excellent picnic treat. Pack them on ice so they’re cold and crunchy, and be sure to season them well with salt and pepper!

Dessert

A sweet treat is a must! Cookies make a great picnic dessert because they’re easy to transport and easy to eat. Pick a classic like chocolate chip or peanut butter, or maybe something more extravagant like chocolate-raspberry whoopie pies.