Red White and Blue Savory Appetizer: Beet, Blueberry and Goat Cheese Rounds

Roasted beets, crumbled goat cheese and fresh blueberries combine in a savory summer appetizer.

I noticed the crisp flags snapping in the warm breeze as I walked Vincent yesterday morning. One block over, the whole street was covered with small flags planted along the edge of the sidewalk. The flags had been up for Memorial day weekend but since taken down.  It's not yet Independence day . . . . aha! Flag day. When we returned home I hung our flag out in front of the house.

I'm sure most people around the world will agree with my sentiment "I love the colors of my country's flag". Now, I'm not narrow-minded enough to think the world loves the flag of my country. I'm referring to people all over the world loving the flags of their countries. With bold crisp colors and simply classic designs, flags are beautiful. Flags are inspirational. Flags are timeless. I am fascinated when a flag seems to reflect the personality of the nation it represents.
Think on that for a while.

In the land of Pinterest it is traditional to serve foods combining the colors of our flag. I am positive Betsy Ross did not intend this sort of craziness, however here we are. I have yet to live in a place where I can get local fresh strawberries and local fresh blueberries simultaneously in early July, and if it ain't a local berry it ain't shOK, a soapbox for another time. I got inspired to try a savory red white and blue appetizer after making these sweet Red, White and Blue Muffins. I wanted to use the colors of my flag in a tasty way and thought of my Beet and Goat Cheese spread. Adding additional goat cheese and some fresh blueberries gives me the look I was going for as well as the fresh flavors I crave.

I spent yesterday sharing my worm bin and love of garlic scapes with the young gardeners in our town's historical society. They got to take home beet greens, but I know beets will soon appear in my Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm share in time to make this recipe [and to use those amazing beet greens to make this recipe].

For other recipes using beets, please see my Beet Recipes Collection. For other recipes using blueberries, please see my Blueberry Recipes Collection. These collections are part of the Visual Recipe Index by Ingredient, a resource for folks looking to eat from the farm share. I'm sharing additional vegetable appetizers on my Awesome Veggie Apps and Snacks Pinterest board as well as on my FB page. Want to know how to Use This Blog? Click here.

Note: This recipe calls for prepared beet & goat cheese spread, which is made using roasted beets. If starting from fresh beets you'll need about 90 minutes to preheat the oven, roast, and cool your beets before throwing everything in the food processor and topping the crackers. 

Beet, Blueberry and Goat Cheese Rounds (makes a platter worth)

1 cup Beet & Goat Cheese Spread

pita cracker rounds (I get mine at Costco)

½ cup crumbled goat cheese

1 pint fresh blueberries

freshly ground pepper

Spread about 1 teaspoon of the beet & goat cheese spread onto a cracker and top with a bit of goat cheese and a few blueberries. Once all the crackers are on the serving platter, grind pepper across the top. Serve pretty darn soon, as the beet spread will soften the cracker if they hang out for more than an hour or so.