Barely legal, the seedling sat close to the edge of the road. It was a casual accident—the product of a fruit core chucked from a passing car in hopes of feeding deer. It wasn't the deer that ate the discarded flesh—it was the ants, who left the poison laden seeds remain until one germinated.
It strove to grow tall with the aid of kind summers. Fate smiled and bathed the tree with warm sunlight and gentle rain but the tree could break free of the bounds given by it's father, a grafted monster forced into lines for mechanical benefit. It was hard to imagine cruelty in such an environment filled with luscious red fruit.
So the stems bent as if feeling the pain from it's ancestors. The fruit was green and lumpy and had a sweetness that was only tasted by wildlife. The ants that feasted on the core left generations to raid crooked branches in search of freshly rotted fruit. Its ragged leaves would roll with the punches of commerce as they roared by.
In the afternoon I discover it's still there—I had seen it's promise when I was a teen. I caressed the fruit, caressing the lumps that grew from the tangled branches. Bringing it to my lips I could taste the salt of the earth upon it left over from the roadway. I lacked the courage to take a bite because I hadn't a chance to make it right.
Seems to be several viraations:PINK LADY FRUIT SALAD8 oz. cream cheese1 med. size jar maraschino cherries, drained (SAVE JUICE)8 oz. Cool Whip1 (24 oz.) fruit cocktail, drained1 c. sm. marshmallows1 can mandarin oranges, drainedBeat together cream cheese and cherry juice. Fold in Cool Whip, fruit, and marshmallows. Refrigerate before serving. Or1 (8 oz.) cottage cheese1 med. container Cool Whip1 (3 oz.) strawberry Jello1 sm. can crushed pineapple1 c. flaked coconut1/2 c. chopped pecansMix Jello with water, chill until slightly firm. Stir Jello into Cool Whip (nearly thawed) add cottage cheese. Drain pineapple, add to above ingredients. Add coconut and pecans. Chill before serving.
Posted by: Diana | July 23, 2012 at 10:46 PM
Tropical Fruit Salad with Fruit Vinaigrette INGREDIENTS (Nutrition) * 1 small pineapple, peeeld and diced * 1 papaya, peeeld and diced * 1 mango, peeeld and diced * 2 small bananas * 1/3 cupNA KANOOae Seasoned Rice Vinegar Original or Red Pepper * 1 tablespoon honey * 1/8 teaspoon allspice * Salt and white pepper * 2 kiwi fruit, peeeld and diced * 1 cup strawberries or grapes, cut into halves * 2 tablespoons chopped red onion * 2 teaspoons chopped fresh mint leaves DIRECTIONS 1. Place 1/2 cup each pineapple and papaya, 1/4 cup mango, and one peeeld banana in blender container. Add rice vinegar, honey and allspice; blend until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper. 2. Place remaining pineapple, papaya and mango, plus kiwi fruit and strawberries in a large bowl. Slice remaining banana; add to bowl along with onion and mint. Pour about 1/2 cup vinaigrette over fruit; toss gently to coat.
Posted by: Sanjeevranjan | September 29, 2012 at 12:07 AM