Day 129: Rhubarb Love

I love rhubarb. It's as simple as that. I've always known of strawberry and rhubarb pie and I may have even tasted it at some point in my early life, but I feel that my true introduction to rhubarb was the first time I sunk my teeth into my Swedish sister-in-law's rhubarb crumble. Made with fresh rhubarb from her garden. I think she may have even added a handful of fresh, red currants to it, also from her garden. Only one word can describe it: HEAVENLY. The combination of sweetness from the sugar accented by the natural tartness of the rhubarb was the perfect representation of summer. Or in today's case, spring.

Most people eat their pie a la mode which, don't get me wrong, is awesome but in Sweden pies are generally served with vanilla sauce. I adore vanilla sauce. And pie and vanilla sauce together is like a cosmic explosion of deliciousness. Take my word for it.

I try not to indulge in sweets too often unless there is a special occasion. (Isn't every day considered a special occasion?) Today happens to be a special occasion for me to indulge. Tonight is my monthly book club meeting and I am hosting it. It just so happens that I am making a rhubarb crumble. I have been thinking about sinking my teeth into it for over a week now. I even baked a test one on Saturday to make sure it tasted okay. Just for the record, it tasted quite okay. In fact, it was so okay that I was forced to freezes the rest of it for fear that we'd gobble down the entire thing in two days. Just my husband and I. Not good for the new, orange, skinny jeans I bought a couple of weeks ago.

But pie eating, well just eating I general, makes me happy and I anxiously look forward to tonight's rhubarb treat. I will try not to write too many more posts about rhubarb but I can make any promises. After all, 18 Smaker, which means 18 flavors and is an organic ice cream shop around the corner from our apartment, has the most amazing, rhubarb, swirl ice cream and I may not be able to contain my happiness after eating it.