When I was a child the tastes of summer were Popsicles, frozen Milk Shake Bars, Green Rivers, and lemonade. The tastes only changed when I visited Spokane or Orofino where grandmothers and family members had gardens. Then it was corn on the cob, green beans cooked in bacon, beets, fresh carrots, dill for pickles,and ice cream from the creamery.
As an adult I have acquired new tastes of summer, especially since we began gardening. Summer tastes like fresh picked green beans, a tomato off the vine, the first rhubarb in a pie, and steamed Swiss chard.
It also tastes like fresh cherries, peaches, and apricots picked from the orchards close by.
Summer squash sauted in butter, radishes eaten cold, and cucumbers off the vine also say summer. I love this time of year and look forward to harvest as the fruits of our labor continue to flourish.
