It's obvious by now that I blog infrequently, but occasionally a moment comes along that is just too good to not put into a blog. A few weeks ago, those free NASCAR tickets that my husband won should have qualified for a blog entry, but honestly, one thing after another happened, and the window of opportunity passed. Well, I don't want today's little experience to get away from me since it involves one of my favorite senses: taste! Today I was at the farmer's market. Now, I rarely go to farmer's markets. I'm sure some places have wonderfully clean, pristine looking farmer's markets, but where I am...well, there's much to be desired. The place sometimes carries with it a stench from the huge garbage bins in the back of the lot, the canvases nailed up blocking the blazing sun are all drab and run down, but the veggies and fruits are fresh and inexpensive, so I think it's worth it. Besides, there's something I rather enjoy about purchasing produce from people in the same city. It's nice to directly support those in my very own community. I was there waiting for a friend that was running late. I had already perused many of the stands when I turned a corner and the normal stench disappeared. I found myself surrounded with a very familiar scent. It was the smell of boiled peanuts--even better CAJUN boiled peanuts! Oh is was heavenly! It made me want to burst into that good ole Civil War song, "Peas, Peas, Peas, Peas, Eatin' goober peas! Goodness, how delicious! Eatin' goober peas!" All of a sudden the wait for my friend turned into a big goober pea fest. I purchased myself a $3 bag of cajun boiled peanuts, sat down next to a trash can and had a noonday snack. The great thing about boiled peanuts is sucking all the juice out of the shell. I know it sounds thoroughly disgusting, but trust me it's very addicting. I'm sure I looked quite ridiculous sitting there with cajun juice running all down my hands as I slurped in some heaven and then gobbled up all those soggy peanuts, but I didn't care. It's as if I had been transported to heaven itself right there in the middle of that dingy little farmer's market. I didn't finish my bag. I could have, but I would have been sick! Instead I picked up my bag, walked into a little sandwich shop right there at the market and ordered a coke. In case you've never had goober peas, they are very salty and before long you have to have something to drink to wash down all that salty cajun juice. Before long my friend had arrived. She didn't understand my obsession with boiled peanuts. People usually don't unless they've been immersed in Southern culture. If you're ever in the South, be sure to try out some Goober Peas. You may find them quite tasty! They are indeed a little slurp of heaven! And while you're at it, sing this little song to yourself! :-)
- Verse 1
- Sitting by the roadside on a summer's day
- Chatting with my mess-mates, passing time away
- Lying in the shadows underneath the trees
- Goodness, how delicious, eating goober peas.
- Chorus2x
- Peas, peas, peas, peas
- Eating goober peas
- Goodness, how delicious,
- Eating goober peas.
- Verse 2
- When a horse-man passes, the soldiers have a rule
- To cry out their loudest, "Mister, here's your mule!"
- But another custom, enchanting-er than these
- Is wearing out your grinders, eating goober peas.
Chorus
- Verse 3
- Just before the battle, the General hears a row
- He says "The Yanks are coming, I hear their rifles now."
- He turns around in wonder, and what d'ya think he sees?
- The Tennessee Militia, eating goober peas.
Chorus
- Verse 4
- I think my song has lasted almost long enough.
- The subject's interesting, but the rhymes are mighty tough.
- I wish the war was over, so free from rags and fleas
- We'd kiss our wives and sweethearts, and gobble goober peas.
