Un-forth of July

Normally the 4th of July calls for hamburgers and hot dogs and rock music. The only part of my 4th of July that was typical was watching the fireworks from a roof top.

The afternoon started off with helping to assemble the tamales that would later fill the bellies of all who came over for the festivities.

The banana leaves were filled with masa and then one of two fillings: a cheese, corn, and poblano peppers mixture or a chickpea and tofu mash riddled with spices.

With six of us making the tamales, the pile of deliciously wrapped savory packets tied with string became mountainous quickly. After the tamales were left to steam in large pots, we went up to the roof top where loud Salsa music from a neighbouring party filled the air- we just accepted it as our own background music as people gathered around the grill and two large tables where food was piled high. I couldn't eat most of it because it either obviously contained gluten- or was most likely cross contaminated by dipping with glutened spoons from other dishes.

What I could eat with certainty of my safety was watermelon- the summer staple fruit. As I watched the watermelon being carved up I was surprised that the insides were not ruby red- but yellow! I was amazed! Someone told me it was a Japanese variety of watermelon. I was eager to try it and to my surprise I didn't really taste any different. I guess I just expected it to taste like banana laughy taffy. Needless to say I was cautiously tasting with every bite- searching for a hint of other flavors.

My 4th of July may not have contained the normal American fare- but I am glad for it as I had a wonderful 4th of July filled with great food and fun- with out a glutening!