July 25, 2008The summer of the watermelon
It's all Kathy's fault. In other words, my friend and editor Kathy Lu is responsible for a warm weather craving that I haven't experienced so intensely since I was a child. No, I am not pregnant. But Kathy is. Early in her pregnancy, my friend started yearning for the ruby-red stuff. Its icy cold sweetness seemed to quell her first trimester discomfort in a way nothing else did, like an elixir for nausea. She began to bring it in Tupperware containers to work, munching on big chunks of it in her office. I'd walk in to talk about an idea for a column and spy her hunched over her precious fruit. One day, I brought in some fresh cantaloupe to share with my co-workers and Lu said, "Oh, good. I forgot to bring my watermelon." While reporting the ethnic market series, I told her one day that I was heading out to visit a few markets and see what I could find. "I forgot to bring fruit today," she said. "Could you see if you can find me some?" Okay, so her insatiable desire for watermelon this summer applies to just about any fresh fruit. But she isn't fooling me -- I know she'd take watermelon over anything else. Gradually, I began to have sympathy cravings. I discovered that almost nothing tastes as good on a hot summer day than a freshly carved watermelon. I don't eat it like I did when I was a kid, plowing my face into a big slice and working my way toward the rind, spitting seeds like an M-16, until my cheeks were sticky with juice. Now I'm more dignified -- I buy seedless, organic watermelon and store it in the refrigerator for a day or two before carving it into bite-size chunks. But oh, those frigid chunks are hard to stop eating. Biting down, I can almost feel every little cell of the flesh bursting between my teeth and releasing its cool, cucumbery sweetness. I brought some for breakfast this morning, and I've got some at home in the fridge. I know you're supposed to be nice to pregnant ladies and all, but Kathy isn't getting any of my watermelon. |
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Comments
[July 25, 2008 11:34 AM]
MichelleThe other day a co-worker traded me a brownie for a big chunk of chilled yellow watermelon - it was delicious! I had never heard of yellow watermelon before. It is a little different, kind of like eating purple ketchup - you are expecting it to taste different because it looks so funny but really it tastes exactly the same.
[July 25, 2008 12:52 PM]
Amy Hanek : →http://www.eatingaroundvirginia.blogspot.comYou, Kathy and my kids too.
I like watermelon, but haven't craved it like that since grade school... or maybe my last pregnancy (7 or 8 years ago).
Remember to use napkins. Lots and lots of napkins!!
[July 25, 2008 1:30 PM]
GretchenI've got watermelon growing in my garden and they're taking over! I didn't quite believe the planting instructions, but jeez... those two little plants I bought in May spread everywhere. Not complaining, mind you -- I counted 8 tiny watermelon so far, 1 larger one that should be ready by next weekend (just in time for overnight guests with kids!) and tons more blooms, promising more to come. I'll make sure to bring you and Kathy some in a couple weeks!
[July 25, 2008 3:45 PM]
DebbieI love watermelon. Cantaloupes are okay, but I prefer watermelon and second choice is a perfectly ripe honeydew melon.
[July 26, 2008 9:35 PM]
Amy Hanek : →http://www.eatingaroundvirginia.blogspot.comLindsey - I can't believe I forgot to mention this!!
Well, I'm sure you have heard already. Do you know that there is something in watermelon similar to Viagra?
Hmmmm... I wonder what Kathy Lu is up to? (I'm a poet and didn't know it. chuckle, chuckle)
How was YOUR weekend with your hubby after all that red, juicy VIAGRA-like fruit, eh?
[July 27, 2008 3:13 PM]
Lindsey : →http://blogs.roanoke.com/fridgemagnet/Well, I did have a dream where I was in a life-or-death, survival-type adventure with Vin Diesel. At least, it looked like Vin Diesel. But it could've been another bald guy from an old episode of NCIS I watched yesterday-- while eating watermelon!!
[July 28, 2008 8:47 PM]
Amy Hanek : →http://www.eatingaroundvirginia.blogspot.comShouldn't someone warn Kathy's husband??
... Naaaah.