Pickles & Italian
Pickles with spaghetti. Pickles with lasagna. Pickles with almost anything Italian. Everyone knows the tradition originated with the Randall family, which is my mom’s side of the family. Yet tonight when a friend saw us eating pickles with our dinner, my wife had the audacity explained that it was “a Wolff thing”!
When my grandparents passed the tradition of Italian pickle-eating on to my mom’s generation, I wonder if it was indeed a Randall thing, or was it an Ekstrand thing? Who would be willing to associate themselves with this tradition? Who started it anyway?
As far as our friend was concerned, all she needed to know was that it was “a Wolff thing”. After all, on our level of the family tree it was an accurate statement. Meggan was happy, just as my dad has been for so many years, to be able to blame the in-laws for this one. Despite the ability to trace this strange tradition through the generations, the truth of the matter is that I, along with my brother and sister, will be known as those responsible for bringing pickle eating into our own families, and my dad will not get a chance to explain himself.
I could try to draw some nice spiritual lesson out of this, like the reality of labels in life, or the need to pick and choose battles, but I think I will just leave it as an observation. All I know is that I come from strong pickle-eating-with-Italian-food stock, and so will my wife.
bry
4 comments:
Bryan,
As you know, I take NO responsibility for passing along such a bizarre tradition. This is all your mothers doing as you correctly point out. I am not sure which side of the family this comes from, but I suspect it is an Ekstrand tradition. Just think of how many generations are impacted by this pickle thing. Now, think about all of the kids from Mom's generation that passed this along to their kids who will pass it along to their kids..... Will society every be able to bear such a burden.
Lovingly,
Your Dad
Unfortunately, I will be unable to carry on the tradition. Kristina won't get within 20 feet of pickles. I am sure there are other odd traditions I will carry on though - I can't think of any, what else is there?
greeeat
- kelly
Mark will LOVE this!!!
I fought this for years trying to explain to Mark that pickles and spaghette were an "unnatural" combo. I have razzed him throughout the years as I obiently make sure there are pickles on the table everytime I serve spaghetti. I told him I would stop making fun of him when he found an Italian restaurant that served pickles with their meals...Believe it or not, our neighborhood Italian Restaurant puts sliced pickles on their salads!!!! Albeit the pickles are not served as a side dish but rather a garnish,still, I must concede and give him his props.
So now, everytime I get the urge to comment as I place the pickles next to his plate of spaghetti, I simply shove a pickle in my mouth. ;)
Ivah
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