Eating With The Seasons: Summer Edition

Summer is finally here! As we welcome the longest, sunniest days of the year, what better way to celebrate than with this Summer Sunflower Board – a vibrant, seasonal grazing board inspired by blooming sunflowers, golden produce, and the warmth of this season’s gatherings.

We’ve partnered again with Danielle Cesare of Sonderbird Photography & Films, a longtime customer and local storytelling photographer, who thoughtfully created and photographed this seasonal spread. It highlights a sunflower inspired hummus focal point, grilled halloumi and peaches, an array of local cheese, seasonal produce and fun surprises – all styled in a radiant, sunflower-inspired palette.

What You’ll Need:

Fresh Produce:

• 2 large peaches (semi-ripe)
• golden cherry tomatoes (local from Lancaster Farm Fresh)
• 1 bunch of tricolored carrots with tops
• 1 bag of baby bell peppers
• 1 package of Belgium endive
• snap peas
• 2 plums or pluots
• 2 apricots
• 1 mango
• fresh flat leaf parsley
• basil
• 1 package blackberries
• 1 organic cantaloupe
• 2 lemons (for hummus)
• 1 garlic bulb (for hummus)

Local Pennsylvania Dairy:

• Milk House Cheese “Ironweed” halloumi style grilling cheese
• Amazing Acres Goat Dairy “Fromagina”
• The Farm at Doe Run “Hickory on the Hill”

Other:

• Local honey (Swarmbustin’ or A Frame Apiary)
• Wild Creek Bee Farm Inc. Honeycomb
• KWF Bulk raw sunflower seeds (for hummus + garnish/decorative edge on your “sunflower”)
• KWF Bulk Toasted Corn
• KWF Bulk cocoa dusted almonds
• turmeric (2 teaspoons)
• dried calendula petals (2 tablespoon)
• bee pollen (2 tablespoons)
• Kimberton Whole Foods olive oil with our signature easy pour spout
• 1 box Maine Crisp buckwheat crackers (we used Olive & Za’atar)
• 1 bag of Stellar Pretzel braids (we used Bold & Herby)
• 1 package of prosciutto
• 1 jar of Mina Moroccan dry cured olives
• Optional: fresh and/or dried edible flowers to garnish your finished board (chamomile, calendula, sunflowers etc.)

Miscellaneous:

• Wooden board or flat serving platter
• Grill or grill pan
• Small honey pot
• Toothpicks/Mini Skewers (optional)

Recipes Included on This Board:

Sunflower Seed Hummus:

• 1 cup raw sunflower seeds, soaked overnight (or at least 4 hours), drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup tahini
• 2–3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 garlic clove (roughly chopped)
• 1–2 teaspoons fine sea salt
• 2 teaspoons turmeric
• 1/2 cup water (plus more as needed)

Instructions:
1. Combine your presoaked and rinsed sunflower seeds, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, salt, turmeric, and 1/2 cup water in a high-speed blender (for the creamiest hummus) or food processor.
2. Blend until smooth, scraping down sides as needed. Add more water a tablespoon at a time if needed to get it blended really well.
3. Taste and add salt or lemon juice if needed. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Makes about 2 cups.

Grilled Halloumi + Peaches

Instructions:
1. Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high. Clean and lightly oil grates.
2. Slice halloumi and peaches, toss lightly in olive oil.
3. Grill each side for 1–2 minutes with the lid open until grill marks form and cheese is golden and firm.

How to Build Your Sunflower Board

1. Start with the sunflower seed hummus as your focal point using the endive leaves to create the “petals” of the sunflower. Fill your endive leaves and sunflower center with your turmeric hummus. Leave a well in each endive leaf petal to garnish with olive oil. Top the center of your sunflower with olives and sunflower seeds.

2. Use toothpicks/mini skewers for the grilled halloumi, peaches and prosciutto

3. Build the board outward using golden-hued fruits and vegetables, herbs, cheeses, and crackers.

4. Use edible flowers, fresh herbs, and honeycomb to finish off your board.

5. There is no wrong way to style this board—just let it feel joyful, creative and summer-soaked.

As you take a step back to admire your finished board, let it serve as a reminder of the beauty and nourishment found in seasonal, local foods. Share this delicious spread with loved ones and enjoy the fresh flavors of summer with every bite!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A special thank you to Danielle for this inspiration! You can follow her at @danielle.at.sonderbird for a peek into her holistic lifestyle and photography adventures.

 

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