Treating ourselves to something delicious...

Charles Bailey2 said:Edi is constantly out there making excuses for everything happening around here. Is he just obsessed with finding something to complain about, or does he actually think that wind blowing across the Golden Gate Bridge is some kind of valid reason to act like this? 🤣

The ice we just got here did a hell of a job of shielding the fruit trees. Honestly, we should consider ourselves lucky that the rain stayed away; if the plants had been soaked through, they would have absolutely shattered under the weight of all that ice.

Is that what we're calling it now? That absolute disaster of a bridge?🙏

If that wind gusts over the bridge without him there to face it, you’d think it never even happened.

I honestly think I felt more bone-chilling cold during those two days than I did during the entire winter. Is it just me, or was that sudden drop actually insane?

slyraven27 said:You sinners!!!

I’m about to lose my mind.🕺

slyraven27 said:Since we’re already on the subject... Figs. Just figs. Is there anything more deceptively simple yet profoundly complex than a perfect fig? They sit there, looking unassuming, almost like they have nothing to offer, but then you bite into one and suddenly everything changes. It’s that explosion of sweetness, that unique texture—it’s enough to make you question why we ever settle for anything less when summer is actually here. Why do we spend so much time overcomplicating our food when nature already handed us perfection on a silver platter?May God bless them this year. 🙂

I honestly just have a thing for Petrovače.😁
Dammit, I need to get this thing replaced; what I’m working with right now is completely shot.

I make sure to pay my respects to my lemon tree on a regular basis right by my front door; the thing is nearly 30 pounds, and it actually bears fruit twice a year.🙏

We call them petrovkas. 😁
How about I fix that stripped bolt for you? It's my specialty every single year.

slyraven27 said:Well, that shouldn't be much of an issue for you. Granted, there aren't any plums available right now, but you could always whip up a pound cake. Consider that a lesson learned.

As for today... I haven't quite decided yet. I won't be making lunch, just dinner, since my folks are coming over later this evening, so I still have some time to brainstorm. What about you?

Something involving rice or asparagus and plenty of vegetables.

Sandra James88 said:That would be the Verrazzano Bridge🙏

If the wind gusts pass over that bridge without you feeling them—truly feeling them—then it’s as if they never even happened.

Honestly, I felt more frozen during those two days than I did during the entire winter season.

I am going to find some warmth soon.🕺

Personally, I just have a soft spot for Petermann's.😁
I really need to refresh my stock—the current supply is completely exhausted.

I tend to pray to my lemon tree quite regularly; it hangs right by my front door, weighs nearly 30 pounds, and produces fruit twice a year.🙏

As for these figs, there is about a pound on every single one. 😁 They are incredibly juicy. Every year when they come in, I make sure to share them with the neighbors—hopefully, this year's harvest is just as plentiful. 🙂

I have a lemon tree as well, though it doesn't bear fruit quite as frequently. 😁

Maria Cox64 said:something involving rice or millet—and plenty of vegetables

There you have it—just whip up a vegetable hash. It's simple, light, and quite satisfying.

I couldn't stand figs when I was a kid

but now? I absolutely love them, especially when they’re perfectly ripe and juicy

pairing them with some prosciutto and sharp cheese—that sweet and salty combo is just incredible

Keith Ward2 said:growing up, I couldn't stand figs

but now? I absolutely love them—especially when they’re perfectly ripe and bursting with juice.

imagine pairing them with some high-quality prosciutto and aged cheese... that sweet and savory combination is just divine.

Man... you’ve really got me craving kiwi and prosciutto now. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

slyraven27 said:Man... now you've got me thinking about kiwi and prosciutto. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

I tried that too. Honestly, I liked it way more than that classic melon and ham combo they do over in Italy.

Maybe it's just because I have a different way of working with cantaloupe.😁

Keith Ward2 said:I gave it a shot—actually preferred it over that Italian style with melon.

Perhaps it’s just because I have a different way of working with melon...😁

Exactly—the Italians love pairing melon with prosciutto. Personally, I can't stand the taste of melon. I can tolerate the scent well enough, I suppose, but I just can't bring myself to bite into it. For me, kiwi and prosciutto is the ultimate combination—that perfect balance of sweet, tart, and salty.

slyraven27 said:Yeah, Americans love pairing melon with prosciutto. Personally, I can't stand the taste of melon. The smell is okay, I guess, but I just can't bring myself to eat it. Kiwi and prosciutto is the superior combo for me. You get that perfect hit of sweet, tart, and salty.

I'm with you on all counts.

You didn't exactly ask how I handle melon 😁

Keith Ward2 said:I am in complete agreement with all of his

Well—you didn't actually ask me how I personally go about using cantaloupe 😁

So, how exactly do you use cantaloupe? 🤣

slyraven27 said:Every single one of these figs is loaded with about a pound of fruit. 😁 They’re incredibly juicy, too. Every year when they start producing, I end up handing them out to all the neighbors. Hopefully, this harvest is just as good. 🙂

I’ve got some lemons growing as well, though they don't produce nearly as consistently. 😁

I honestly have no clue what variety this is, but the skin is thin and the juice is just incredible. The fruit itself is massive.

Back in the day, we used to have about twenty of these larger trees—the Calimyrna type—and we’d actually have local pickers coming through the neighborhood; you just harvest everything, pack it into crates, and sell it off.

slyraven27 said:So, how exactly are you eating cantaloupe? 🤣

Not the place for this. We're talking food here. 😁

Sandra James88 said:I honestly have no clue regarding the specific variety—just that they have thin skins and plenty of juice. The fruit itself is quite large.

We used to maintain about 20 of those larger trees—the Chandler variety—and we would rent out the harvest to local folks in the neighborhood; you just gather them, pack them into crates, and sell.

We don't actually have a massive amount ourselves. Just about 10 trees—but since we have a large family, everyone comes by to help pick, we give a little away to the neighbors, and that’s that. The only thing my husband sold this year was the cherries, to a lady in town, but I told him we aren't doing that anymore. Now, even that is uncertain because a sudden snowstorm completely ruined things. We had maybe 19 trees, I think he mentioned a couple were sickly, so I have no idea what’s left. I haven't even made it out to the orchard lately.

Keith Ward2 said:this isn't the place for that—we are here specifically to discuss food. 😁

Food and intimacy are inherently linked. 😁

However, let us refrain from getting carried away with such topics here. 😁

slyraven27 said:Food and sex are basically the same thing. 😁

But let's not get inappropriate here. 😁

Nah, we aren't doing that. Just keeping things strictly about Finland, downtown Helsinki, and everything running smoothly.

Nothing involving the Karelia region. 😁

Keith Ward2 said:No, we aren't going there—just sticking to Finland, specifically downtown Helsinki, where everything is perfectly fine.

Without venturing into the Karelia region.😁

😁

Oh, I just had a sudden realization regarding what I might prepare for my family's dinner tonight. I am thinking of making small meatballs—ground beef, specifically—with little pockets of melted cheese tucked right inside them. To go along with that, I'll serve some sautéed Swiss chard with hard-boiled eggs.

slyraven27 said:Food and sex are basically two sides of the same coin. 😁

But let’s not get all dirty and depraved here. 😁

I'm not being depraved in real life, just on this damn forum... that's just how life goes, I could always just head down to Vegas if things get too heavy. ☕

Sandra James88 said:I am not bleeding out in reality—I am merely bleeding out here on this forum... damn this life—I might just pack my bags and move to Canada.☕

In that case—you really ought to consider spending some time with Keith Ward2. I can guarantee you’ll end up in a state of total, blood-soaked chaos. 😁