What do Independence Day and strawberries have in common?

It seems like an unusual combination, but what do July 4th and strawberries have in common?  They’re both highlights of July in DINE country!  We’re right about at the height of strawberry season, and with July 4th right around the corner, we combine strawberries with fireworks for quite a bang next week!  Each of the 11 inns in  DINE country offer opportunities for small town Independence Day celebrations, including everything from the homespun parade to patriotic concerts and of course wonderful fireworks displays! Read on for some ideas for celebrating a red, white and blue holiday with either some wonderful tasty treats or a summer holiday at one of the DINE inns.

You’ll have a birds eye view of the town of Jackson’s fireworks from the porch of the Inn at Thorn Hill.  Guests can watch the sky light up from the comfort of chairs and rockers on the porch, while enjoying their favorite spirits to celebrate Independence Day.  But you’d better make your plans quickly!  Unless they’re postponed due to rain, the town of Jackson, NH has scheduled fireworks early this year. Look forward to fireworks from the porch of the Inn at Thorn Hill tonight on Friday, June 28th.  Why not make a weekend of it?  Fireworks on Friday, hike, bike and then some great R&R on Saturday!  Don’t worry, if you miss the fireworks in Jackson this weekend you’ll still be treated to additional fireworks displays in nearby Gorham, NH and North Conway, NH over July 4th weekend.

GraftonInn-July4th-fireworksThe July 4th celebration at the Grafton Inn is one of the biggest events of the summer for the whole town! Each year for the past 20 or so years, the Vermont Symphony Orchestra has performed on the lawn of the Grafton Outdoor Center, followed by a spectacular fireworks display.  A highlight of the year for the tiny village, residents and visitors from near and far and set up elaborate picnics with everything from balloons to candelabras and gourmet meals.  Food is also provided by local nonprofits, and we suggest that everyone save room for the strawberry shortcake.  Not only will there be fab food, this is a wonderful taste of Americana complete with patriotic tunes.  The gates open at 5:30pm and the concert starts at 7:30pm, followed by fireworks.  Be sure to book your room at the Grafton Inn soon; this is a popular event in this little corner of Vermont.

Berry Parfait-CaptHouseInn-servedonJuly 4-smallerAwake on July 4th morning to a Berry Parfait at the Captain’s House Inn. Guests are treated to this wonderful breakfast yogurt, strawberry and blueberry treat topped with homemade granola for the perfect red, white and blue way to welcome in the 4th of July.

Nancy has been busy picking strawberries for guests at the Cliffside Inn.  She tells guests to look forward to strawberry shortcake waffles, and we’re sure there are a few more strawberry treats in store for July 4th too.

At Camden Maine Stay Inn, Roberta Latanza offers an age-old Italian tip for serving up strawberries.  Roberts drizzles a little balsamic vinegar over the strawberries to bring out the tart goodness in the fruit.  “Try it!” she suggests.  “You’ll be amazed at how good those strawberries taste.”

And here’s a fabulous recipe from the Rabbit Hill Inn for using all those yummy strawberries.

Strawberry Champagne Soup with Basil Goat Cheese Puree from Rabbit Hill Inn

This is a very easy, yet elegant chilled soup recipe – a great addition to your summer dinner repertoire. It is also a perfect brunch or summer luncheon recipe.

Ingredients for Soup (to serve four):

1 quart fresh strawberries

1 cup apple juice

½ cup champagne

1 small shallot, diced

Black pepper to taste

Method for Soup:

  • De-stem strawberries. Wipe with wet cloth. Cut in halves
  • Put in blender with other ingredients. Puree on high, 1-3 minutes
  • If you have many seeds. Strain well.
  • Set aside, keeping chilled

Ingredients for Puree:

½ cup fresh basil

¼ cup of goat cheese

Vegetable stock or water. Just enough to blend till smooth

Salt & pepper to taste

Method for Puree:

  • De-stem basil
  • In boiling salted water, blanch basil for 30 seconds
  • Pour basil into strainer. Drop basil in ice cold water to shock & stop cooking. Drain. Put basil in bowl.
  • Add goat cheese and salt & pepper
  • Put all ingredients in blender. Puree until smooth.

Plating: Pour soup into chilled bowls. Drizzle with basil puree. Enjoy.

And finally, we leave you with a July 4th image of joy from Ted at the Deerfield Inn, surrounded by Americana in Historic Deerfield.

Deerfield-DeerfieldTedChillaxing-cropped

From the Connecticut seashore and the Inn at Harbor Hill Marina to the greenery of the Berkshire Mountains and the Gateways Inn and Restaurant, plus the colorful fields surrounding the Chesterfield Inn on the New Hampshire and Vermont border, and lakeview Manor on Golden Pond, everyone at the 11 DINE inns wish all our readers a joyful July 4th, the “official” start of summer!