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Sound Bites

Posted at 10:36 AM on July 7, 2008 by Donna McClurkan (6 Comments)

In her NPR Weekend Edition commentary Saturday, Linda Wertheimer reminisces about her father's grocery in New Mexico and reflects on his recommendation to wait until after the 4th of July to enjoy certain foods. Cantaloupe, for example, so sweet they needed salt; their fragrance permeated the entire grocery.

Tomatoes are on the list of foods worth waiting for, too, according to Wertheimer's father. I couldn't agree more. It turns out we needn't worry as much about salmonella if we enjoy "real" tomatoes (and everything else) locally and at their prime. Her commentary is a great example of how food memories can serve as metaphors for eating seasonally and safely.

But Wertheimer and I part ways when it comes to the word "locavore," which she describes as "a weird new word." I disagree. It's a great conversation starter. And the word resonates with folks because they know the meaning of "omnivore" and "carnivore." "Locavore" has found its way into mainstream conversation and media, perhaps in part because it was named 'word of the year' by the New Oxford American Dictionary in 2007.

Besides, every movement needs its defining word, its elevator speech, and its sound bite, right? I've racked my brain the past couple days to think of a different way to describe the sweeping changes promoted by advocates of the local food movement. So far, I've come up with nothing better, but I'm open-minded enough to consider an alternative to "locavore." Any ideas out there?

So, Ms. Wertheimer, we may disagree on the word, but we are definitely in synch when it comes to eating seasonally, especially sun-ripened, real tomatoes and sweet, juicy cantaloupe - with or without salt - close to home!

Comments (6)

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Tomatoes & cantaloupe are at the top of my list too along with strawberries, blueberries & peaches. I have specific memories that come to mind when I eat those particular foods in season because the anticipation is so great and the wait is so long. I loved your canning post from a few days ago too. Molly

Posted by Molly Ettwein | July 7, 2008 2:33 PM

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Hi Molly - after reading your comment, I realized we have found sources for great tomatoes, blueberries, strawberries and peaches but not cantaloupe. Last year, each one we tried was very bland - little to no flavor. So if you have one to recommend, let me know. Thanks for writing!
Donna

Posted by Donna McClurkan | July 8, 2008 5:11 AM

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Up until about 5 years ago, a relative living nearby grew the best cantaloupes and we got all we could eat. Then he moved away and now it's hit or miss at vegetable stands that we happen to pass. I'll ask around... Though for me it's more of an issue of readiness - I've never been too good at figuring out if they're just-right ripe!

Posted by Molly | July 8, 2008 4:29 PM

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Hi again, Molly. Not sure if you've tried this, but the smell test has been fairly reliable for me in the past. If it smells strongly of melon, it's ready to eat. Though that hasn't been a reliable predictor of taste. I think this means we have to try one from every grower at the Kalamazoo Farmers' Market - and anywhere else they're available locally :).
Donna

Posted by Donna McClurkan | July 8, 2008 7:37 PM

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Donna,
Hmmm, I am looking forward to eating melons. My mom is good at choosing good ones.

Paulette in Seattle

BTW, my Peace Corps housemate is from Kalamazoo - Parchment. Her name is Carol Kishpaugh Bouabdellaoui. When we lived in Morocco, eating locally was the norm except for a few items!

Posted by P. Thompson | July 16, 2008 5:59 PM

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Hi Paulette - if your mom has any hints on how to chose a good melon, please pass them along! How cool that your PC roommate is from Parchment - just a hop, skip and a jump from where I live. Thanks for checking in ... Donna

Posted by Donna McClurkan | July 16, 2008 8:02 PM