Uncle Sam’s Hat made from produce
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Today marks the final post in a joyful series I’ve been sharing in collaboration with the Marzetti® brand, and I’ve had so much fun crafting playful creations made entirely from fruits and vegetables. From whimsical designs to edible art, each piece has been a celebration of creativity and fresh produce. And for this grand finale, I’m bringing you something truly special—Uncle Sam’s Hat, reimagined in vibrant, patriotic produce.
This festive centerpiece is perfect for your upcoming 4th of July celebration. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or a family picnic, this edible artwork will add a splash of color and charm to your serving table. Made primarily from fresh fruit, with accents of asparagus spears and mint leaves, it’s a bold and cheerful nod to American tradition. And I guarantee it will be a conversation starter.
I love incorporating these kinds of fun, unexpected creations into party spreads. They spark smiles, invite curiosity, and make healthy eating feel like part of the celebration. If you’ve enjoyed this series, be sure to check out the other produce-inspired designs. I’ve shared: a robot, a handbag with matching shoes, and a flower vase. Each one is crafted with care and a touch of whimsy.
Stay tuned for more seasonal inspiration, and thank you for joining me on this deliciously creative journey!
Uncle Sam’s Hat Made from Produce
Since Uncle Sam’s Hat is made primarily from fresh fruit, it pairs beautifully with a vibrant fruit tray. You can also add a generous bowl of Marzetti® Cream Cheese Fruit Dip. The dip adds just the right touch of sweetness and creaminess. It elevates every bite—from juicy strawberries to crisp apple slices. It’s a simple addition that makes your spread feel festive and indulgent without any extra fuss.
One of the best parts? The ingredients I purchased to build the hat left me with plenty of extra fruit, which I used to create the colorful tray you see in the photo below. So not only do you get a show-stopping centerpiece that celebrates the red, white, and blue in a fresh and creative way, but you also end up with a delicious, crowd-pleasing snack for your guests to enjoy. It’s a win-win for your Fourth of July celebration—eye-catching decor and edible fun all in one!
A Few Changes
Originally, starfruit was recommended to create the star shapes for Uncle Sam’s Hat, since its natural shape mimics a five-pointed star when sliced. However, I had trouble finding starfruit locally, so I got creative and used fresh pineapple slices instead. To make the stars, I used a medium-sized metal star cookie cutter that I picked up at my local craft store—a set of three cost just $4 and has already come in handy for other festive projects. The pineapple worked beautifully, offering a bright yellow pop and a sturdy texture that held its shape well.
Another tip I want to share involves securing the blueberries to the hat. The original suggestion was to use dental grip to keep them in place, but I found that method didn’t hold up as well as I’d hoped. Instead, I used toothpicks broken in half, gently pressing them into the fruit base to anchor each blueberry. It was a simple fix that worked reliably and kept everything looking neat and secure throughout the celebration. Sometimes a little improvisation makes all the difference!
Watch this video on how to make the Uncle Sam’s Hat. Then be sure to get the list of produce I used along with my instructions, tips, and tricks on how to make it. Get creative the next time you shop the produce section of your favorite store and see what you can “produce.”
Uncle Sam’s Hat and Fruit Tray
Real Mom Kitchen
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 seedless watermelon
- 2 lb strawberries
- 1-2 starfruit or 1 pineapple If using pineapple you will also need a medium star metal cookie cutter
- 2 6 oz pkg blueberries
- 1 honeydew melon
- 4 stalks of asparagus
- 4 small mint leaves
- toothpicks
- 3 bamboo skewers
- toothpicks broken in half
- paper towels
- Marzetti cream cheese fruit dip
Instructions
- Cut the watermelon in half at its widest part. This will be about 1/4-1/3 from one end of the watermelon. Set aside the smallest piece to cut up for the fruit tray.
- Cut a one inch thick slice of the remaining large half of watermelon. This one inch slice will be the base of the hat. Set that down on the platter or tray you will be displaying the hat on.
- Then cut the remaining watermelon into one inch slices. Using a plastic bowl with a 4 inch wide rim or a metal 4 inch cookie cutter to cut circles out the remaining watermelon slices. Set aside any scraps to use for the fruit tray.
- Stack cut out water melon circles on the base of the hat. Secure the watermelon rings to the base of the hat with the bamboo skewers. Cut off any excess skewer that may stick out of the top of the hat. At any point you may need to use paper towels to absorb any juice and may drip from the fruit onto your display tray.
- Trim and slice some of the strawberries in half and melon ball half of the honeydew melon. Make lines of strawberry halves and melon balls from the the top of the hat down to the middle. Secure using toothpicks. This creates the stripes on the hat.
- Slice the starfruit to make 4-5 slices, making 4-5 stars. If not using starfruit, slice 4 or 5 1 inch slices of pineapple. Place the cookie cutter in the center of each ring to cut into a star shape. Save any scraps to cut later for your fruit tray.
- Arrange the stars evenly around the base of the hat, securing with toothpicks. Then fill in the area around the stars with blueberries using toothpicks that have been broken in half. Also cover the top of the hat with blueberries.
- Cut the asparagus into 4 candles. Place a toothpick in the bottom of each stalk so you can secure it into the top of the hat. Then use a toothpick to poke a hole in the top of the asparagus stalks. Use this hole to poke the stem of the mint leave in to create the flame of the candle.
- Then place the asparagus candles on the top of the hat.
- Use the remaining scraps from the fruit to cut up and make a fruit tray to serve with the cream cheese dip.
Disclosure: I have been invited to participate in a Marzetti ambassador program. This post is sponsored by Marzetti and product has been provided by them. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own.
