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!
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Thank you for this wonderful site. I really appreciate all the effort and energy put into it. The ideas and thoughts are in alignment with mine! I love living seasonally and hope that you continue sharing the way you are. Thank you. Blessed be. Leesa
Ps…. is there a section like this for the other turnings of the year? (autumn & spring equinox, as well as the winter solstice) I sure hope so. Again, thanks so much.
Thank you for your kind words, Leesa!
As per your suggestion, I have added a new category to the list, titled “Sabbats” – here you will find all of the posts which relate to the Turning of the Wheel and the various holidays that can be find in the Pagan Wheel of the Year… the Greater and Lesser Sabbats such as the equinoxes and solstices, along with Samhain and Beltane, etc.
It may take a little time before the category actually shows up (WordPress takes some time to implement changes), but once it shows up, this will help you to find such information on this site easily.
Blessings,
~ Ocean
[…] click here for suggestions of dishes for the Summer Solstice […]
[…] click here for suggestions of dishes for the Summer Solstice […]
Great site! Love your recipes and energy 😀 Have a Blessed Solstice!