Summer with Halloom Sails and Banana Boats

Yesterday, summer solstice BBQ launched two new somerville kitchen summer treats - Halloom Sails and Banana Boats.

Halloom Sails

Everybody loves Halloom. Halloom is a Lebanese and Cypriot white cheese that BBQs extremely well.

There are three versions of it that we get in Vancouver - a Cypriot one, a Lebanese one and a made-in-Canada Phoenicia brand. The Lebanese ones, particularly those imported from Lebanon, are to use for Halloom Sails.

Halloom Sails are Halloom Pita Toasties - simply cut the pita bread into small pockets (1/8 of a loaf) and stuff them with a slice of Halloom cheese. Do not add anything else - no lemon, no oil, no garlic, no other flavour enhancement - trust me on this.

Throw them on a hot grill, 30 seconds or less on each side, and eat them hot. Make sure you make lots because everyone loves Halloom. 

In fact, those who tried it are talking about  launching a Halloom Sails fan club!

Banana Boats

I personally have never heard of Banana Boats until one of my summer solstice BBQ guests brought (made) them for dessert. 

Cut a banana in half, stuff it with pieces of your favourite chocolate bar, throw on it some nuts, brown sugar, even marshmallows and wrap in foil paper. 

One banana per guest, put them right on top of the hot coals when the coals turn white and leave them to simmer and cook.

The female guests around the table seemed to relate well to Banana Boats given that those have been a regular activity for girl guides.

Forty minutes or so later, they were ready. Just open the foil paper and enjoy a sweet, decedent, melting sugar and chocolate over bananas dessert.


Welcoming summer at somerville kitchen was fun. Welcoming any other fun summer BBQ ideas at eshmun@shaw.ca.