June 1, 2025: Dahlia's Surprise: A Sweet Summer Salad

The Dahlia's Diversions for Peculiar Parties campaign on BackerKit ends on June 5 – and we're excited to welcome any and all last-minute guests.

As explained in an earlier Illuminator, I unearthed this collection of games in our Deep Archives and have been making good on Steve's old promise to Dahlia by getting this collection ready for print. Well, the games weren't the only thing Dahlia left us . . .

Among the bonus ephemera were some old recipe cards – some handwritten, some typed – for game night refreshments. To celebrate this campaign and the coming summer, I thought I'd share the most intriguing recipe that I found!

Dahlia's Surprise – A Sweet Salad for Summer Gatherings

Ingredients:

• One melon, cubed
• Burrata, one 8-oz container (Best at room temperature!)
• Prosciutto, 2 oz or thereabouts
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Balsamic Vinegar
• Fresh Rosemary, 2 or 3 sprigs

Serves 4-6 players and one Game Master.

I prefer to make this with honeydew, but cantaloupe is more than adequate. You may substitute other fresh herbs to your taste – whatever you have in your garden will do. Chop your melon into bite-sized pieces, and cut the proscuitto very finely. The slices will want to stick together; do your best to discourage this. Combine with the melon in a large bowl. Drain and gently slice the burrata. Reserve.

Destem your rosemary, and clap the leaves between your hands before adding to the salad bowl. Drizzle the melon mixture with olive oil and balsamic vinegar and toss. You may refrigerate the salad in this state if you are preparing it ahead of time.

When you are ready to serve, add your burrata and gently toss the salad again. Some of my guests like to add fresh cracked black pepper, but it doesn't need it. Leftovers keep for a few days, if you manage to save any. I never do!

I did try this, and I'm not going to lie. The color after mixing in the burrata was . . . questionable. But it was very tasty! And in the interest of trying new things, I hope you'll also check out the eight fantastic games in Dahlia's Diversions for Peculiar Parties. You may find something unexpected and delicious.

-- Irene Zielinski