There are many food traditions connected with celebrating Independence Day on the Fourth of July. Cooking food on the grill – hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken and corn with all the fixin’s is one of them. Another is the celebratory picnic – fried chicken, potato salad, strawberry shortcake, watermelon – maybe taken to a town concert on the common or to the fireworks. Some enjoy that special sheet cake decorated with whipped cream, strawberries and blueberries to look like our American flag served with fresh homemade lemonade. My father loved the centuries-old New England tradition of salmon and peas on July Fourth paired because the salmon used to run just as fresh peas were ready to pick and eat.

The Masachusetts Historical Society tells us about a menu of foods served at the Fourth of July celebration for city officials held at Faneuil Hall in Boston in 1844. This sumptuous feast, featuring Fricasee Poulet, Compote de Pigeons, and boiled and roast meats – in addition to twenty-six kinds of dessert and fruit – was the finale to a very busy day for officials and revelers in the city. Check-out the full story here at masshist.org.

To each his own – whether a hot dog from the grill or fruit salad from a watermelon compote. Enjoy your celebration with family and friends. Have a happy and safe Fourth of July weekend. Happy Birthday to the USA.