Deaf Pagan Crossroads

As I review the lists of various foods one can use for celebrating the Summer Solstice, I began to get some ideas in my head about different dishes one could make with such. Some of these dishes are ones that I myself have either cooked or eaten at different summer gatherings over the past several years. Others are ideas that came to my mind as I was writing the article, or which come out of my files or various cookbooks.

Below is a list of possible dishes

Appetizers:

Hummus

Oven Roasted Garlic to spread on crackers or bread

Jalapeno Poppers

Fried Squash Blossoms

Herbed Cream Cheese Spread

Bruschetta topped with various vegetables such as tomatoes or peppers

Egg Rolls

Salsa with chips

Salads:

Tossed Green Salad

Spinach and Strawberry Salad

Fruit Salad

Ambrosia Salad

Chicken Salad

Pasta Salad

Salad Dressings made with herbs

Soups:

Fresh Pea Soup

Zucchini Soup

Fresh Vegetable Soup

Tomato Soup

Garlic Soup

Seafood Chowder

Main Dishes:

Pasta dishes such as lasagna, fettucini alfredo (you can add chicken or shrimp), ravioli, spaghetti or linguini

Mexican dishes such as enchiladas, tacos, tostadas, or fajitas

Cajun and Creole dishes such as jambalaya or gumbo

Spicy Asian dishes that use hot peppers, garlic, curry, etc.

Asian dishes that use lemongrass

Quiches and Savory Pies/Tarts

Paella

Pizza (how about making your own – maybe even on the grill?)

This is a good time for trying out that Beer-Can Chicken recipe on the grill!

Grilled Salmon or other fish

Seafood such as lobster, shrimp, etc.

Barbecue

If you’re a fisherman, how about a fish fry (gotta catch the fish first, of course!)

I once attended a clambake for Summer Solstice – it was lots of fun and delicious!

Side Dishes:

Squash Casserole

Vegetable Casseroles

Stuffed Zucchini

Fried or Grilled Squash

Fresh Peas

Fresh Green Beans or Lima Beans

Sweet Corn – on the cob, off the cob, creamed

Corn Fritters

Rice and Beans

Baked Goods:

Cinnamon Rolls

Herb Breads (rosemary in particular is good for Summer Solstice)

Banana Bread

Lemon Bars

Scones made with herbs, lemon, strawberries, etc.

Gingerbread or Spice Cake or Carrot Cake

Garlic Bread

Onion Rolls

Sesame Rolls

Desserts:

Lemon Pie

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Peach Cobbler

Baklava

Strawberry Pie or Shortcake

Ice Cream

Beverages:

Mead

Ale or Beer

Wine

Mixed Drinks made with mint, lemon/citrus, peach schnapps, strawberries, etc.

Lemonade (regular, strawberry lemonade, mint lemonade, raspberry lemonade, etc.)

Iced Tea (black tea, herbal tea, mint tea, chamomile tea, etc.)

Gingerale

These are only suggestions, I am sure that you can come up with other ideas! The main thing is to think about using the ingredients that I listed in my previous post – such as honey, lemon, garlic, chilies, herbs, spices, etc. In addition, use those ingredients which you can find fresh from your area – go to local Farmer’s Markets or roadside stands and check out what they have to offer. This is a time for honoring the bounty of the earth and the gift of the sun, so what better way than to cook with fresh produce from your own garden or from farms around you?

And most importantly, cook with love. Have fun while you are cooking. See it as a celebration, not as a chore. Share your food with the people you care about.

I’ll try to post some of my favorite Summer Solstice recipes for you. You might want to check out some of my recipes I have already posted here at the Crossroads, which you can find under the Food category in the menu bar at the right.

Enjoy your Summer!