For years now I have been trying to acclimate Rachel to the
pleasures of bitter melon. Well, perhaps “pleasures” is not quite the
word. In any event, I am now finally vindicated with the kickoff of Bitter Melon Week,
a combination food festival – performance art event taking place in
Boston’s South End. Asian and Gringo restaurants alike are encouraged
to incorporate bitter melon, which is grown in community gardens in the
neighborhood, into their menus.
Even dogs will have their own bitter melon dish.
The event is actually the culminating event in a year-long
community-exploration effort intended to bring the South End together.
As the official website proclaims, “Unity through bitterness!” But whether the event develops real roots or ends up being a one-off half-joke remains to be seen. Personally, I’m looking for who’s selling the bitter melon ice cream.
