Under the Strawberry Moon, A Dinner Party for Summer Love
This summer’s first full moon falls on June 21, one day after the summer solstice. Throughout time, indigenous tribes of North America have called the full June moon the strawberry moon because it marks the beginning of strawberry season. In other cultures, where strawberries are less prolific, they call it the hot moon because it marks the beginning of hot girl summer (jk, it marks the beginning of those dang summer heat waves.)
This summer’s first full moon falls on June 21, one day after the summer solstice. Throughout time, indigenous tribes of North America have called the full June moon the strawberry moon because it marks the beginning of strawberry season. In other cultures, where strawberries are less prolific, they call it the hot moon because it marks the beginning of hot girl summer (jk, it marks the beginning of those dang summer heat waves.)
Either name works, because nothing pairs better with sweet, juicy strawberries straight from the vine, than a good old-fashioned hot summer romance. The ancient Romans associated strawberries with Venus, the goddess of love and beauty and, because they are red and heart-shaped, strawberries symbolize passion and sensuality worldwide. Folklore has it that if two people share a strawberry, they will soon fall in love. Even those chaste Victorians believed that strawberries were a symbol of hidden desire, and for this reason they rarely ate them.
So, this summer, don’t be a Victorian party pooper. Instead, get hot and sweaty and throw this Strawberry Moon dinner party. Strawberries are in season all summer long, so even if you miss the full moon you can throw the party any time you want to bring some Venus energy into your life. Whip up the entire menu or pick a dish or two that intrigues you, and invite your friends and prospective lovers over. Be sure to eat outdoors, under the flattering light of a hot, flirty moon.
Menu
Cocktail:
Strawberry Lime Fizz
Appetizer:
Coconut Shrimp Toast with Sweet-and-Sour Strawberries
Main:
Slow-Roasted Leg of Lamb with Spicy Strawberry Mustard Sauce
Pink Radicchio Salad with Roasted Strawberries and Almond Brittle Crunch
Fresh Sweet Corn Polenta with Crushed Strawberries and Sour Cream
Dessert:
Strawberries & Creme Pavlova
Pair this meal with a mineral-y bottle of Chenin Blanc, a chilled rosé with strawberry notes, or—if you have the time and patience—a bottle of homemade strawberry wine.
Check out here the Radicchio Salad with Strawberries and Hazelnut recipe and here for the Sweet Corn Polenta with Crushed Strawberries and Sour Cream. Head to my newsletter post for the lamb and the coconut shrimp toast.
For the rest of the party plan, you’ll find some seriously delicious tunes here—no dinner party is complete without a killer playlist, and mine are always on-theme.; all the songs either reference strawberries or the moon, or the performing artist does. Also below is Up for Discussion, because I always come up with a few theme-appropriate conversation starters to assist in properly “ruining the table” at the end of the night. And you can sign up for my special edition of Ruined Table for Edible LA right here.
Up for Discussion
Gather your friends, open another bottle of whatever you are drinking, and take turns answering the questions below. Remember to listen just as much as you talk, as most people want to feel seen and heard. Once you give them that gift, they will give it right back to you. The trick is to speak from your heart and remain open. And of course, as always, to have fun.
Have you ever had a summer fling? If so, with who and what happened?
Who was the last person you fell in love with?
If you could share a strawberry with anyone, knowing that the two of you would fall in love afterwards, who would you share it with?
Have you ever ghosted anyone? Why?
Do you think romance is the key to happiness? Why or why not?
Pretend you are living in Victorian times and you are told you can’t eat strawberries because it will ignite your latent desires and turn you into a crazed sex maniac. Would you sneak some strawberries anyway?
Decoration and Game Ideas
The most important thing for any dinner party is to create a convivial space for you and your friends. All you need for that is a willingness to cut loose and have a good time, so decorate only according to your means and how much time you have. Take these ideas, leave them, or use them as inspiration for something more authentically “you.”
Grab a bunch of fresh strawberries from the farmers’ market, in as many varieties as possible. Fill bowls and cornucopias with them and place them on the table for guests to snack on. If applicable, include tasting notes. Any leftovers can be turned into strawberry jam the next day.
Hang a large, round lantern to represent the full moon.
Set up a strawberry-crown-making station of strawberry vines and early summer wildflowers.
To up the romance quotient—and assuming everyone is on board—play a game of spin the bottle.
Have each guest create an intention for their summer (it can be romantic, or not). Invite them to write their intention on a slip of paper and keep it in mind throughout the dinner. At the end of the night, hold a toast to honor it all and, if they choose, give everyone a chance to say their intention out loud.
