It is odd to me sometimes the way our taste buds will dislike a food item in its natural state, yet not notice the same food when it is combined with others.
Growing up none of my kids liked spinach, not in a salad and definitely not steamed. But, finely chopped spinach added to the manicotti filling became a regular menu item.
For their birthday they would each get to select their favorite home dinner item. Though the selections varied from year to year the manicotti with spinach made the selection every year for my oldest. I have to admit that even I could not taste the spinach in the filling and we all knew it was there.
Now the food is avocado. Love them! I put them in salads, sandwiches and peel them to eat like an apple. I am the only one in the family that likes them so much. We do have a guacamole ‘maker’ in the house. She will not eat avocados any other way. Something about the texture of the sliced fruit does not appeal to her.
One of her favorite go-to snacks is guacamole. Actually, it ends up being more of her side dish than a snack and I get to have some too. And, she also likes manicotti.
Have you noticed that foods carry so many memories for families? Even though it has been many years since I made manicotti for him, I still cannot make it without thinking of my son every time. I know that it will be the same way with guacamole, even now it makes me think of my favorite guacamole maker. And once it is her turn to fly the nest I know I will continue to connect guacamole to her.
They fly so quickly it is good to have the memories of foods shared. Memories of fun times around family meals and gatherings and lots of laughs in sharing food stories.
Do you have a favorite food related memory or tradition? Be sure to share it with someone, it will brighten the day for both of you.
