It tastes like a garden

May 15, 2009

Last night I made a simple pasta sauce using only raw ingredients. The sauce consisted of chopped vine ripened tomatoes, garlic, basil and olive oil. My son has a great way of describing what he tastes and last night he said "It tastes like a garden" rather than saying "fresh" like most people would say. Though only 11, my son has a really great pallet and always describes his tastes in interesting ways that have not been shaped by reading cookbooks or parroting restaurant reviews. His taste is genuine, unapologetic, filled with things that make him happy and informed by memories of places and things he loves. In a sense, his tastes embody the qualities of a Round Trip Imports customer!
This year we’re trying to grow lettuce in terra cotta pots. It’s beautiful at this point, the cool, wet weather has been perfect for it and we’re waiting for the exact moment to bring it to the table. I can’t wait to hear what my son will say. Sure it will taste like a garden but will he connect it to a fond family memory, remember the picnic lunch our family had in Lucca a couple years ago or equate it with something no one else would ever imagine. Or, will he simply say, “It tastes like lettuce.” Regardless of how he chooses to express himself, he will be original, authentic and unique and I love that!