In a pickle

I recently heard someone say everything “pickle” in the grocery stores and restaurants has become the new “pumpkin spice.” I agree wholeheartedly, although this statement did not fill me with joy. We can’t avoid it anymore – from pizza to potato chips, soda, and candy (CANDY?), pickles and their flavoring are everywhere.

We all have foods we don’t like. Unfortunately for me, pickles are No. 1. Just the smell of them makes me nauseous. They are definitely not dill-icious to me (I couldn’t resist). Years ago, when I was pregnant with the boys, I was not one of those women who craved pickles. Instead, I ran far away from them.

The only pickle I like is the German Christmas tree ornament we hide every year. And believe me, I hide it really well. I don’t even want to see it when I walk by.

These days, there’s no hiding from pickles. My jaw dropped last year when we drove past my favorite outlet mall in Edinburgh and I saw a new Grillo’s Pickles production plant nearby. That’s way too close to home for me.

Most of my family and friends, of course, love pickles. I should never have shared my aversion of pickles with them. One group in particular, some friends we call “Our Gang,” enjoys teasing me about my hatred of pickles.

My friend Greg loves to gleefully share a photo of anything pickle-flavored on our Facebook group site. His latest, pickle-flavored pepperoni, made me incredibly sad. Why would anyone want to ruin such a delicious pizza topping?

And now, the Indiana State Fair is in full swing. Of course, vendors have been part of this craze for a few years now. Here’s just some of the items pickle fans will find this summer:

1. A pickle sundae – vanilla soft serve topped with dill pickles and tangy juice. Tangy is not the adjective I would have used.
2. Pickle bacon ranch pizza and a pickle pesto pizza.
3. The Big Dill, a grilled cheese sandwich with pickles.
4. Hot fried pickles.
5. Pickle beer. This one really makes me ill, as I don’t like beer, either.
6. Dill Pickle Dr. Pepper and Pickle Shake Up. My favorite soda … ruined.

I know it’s only going to get worse as time goes on with the fair. I don’t think I’ll be venturing down there for a while.

With fall around the corner, I’m hoping the pickle stuff dies down soon and we can get back to good ol’ pumpkin spice everything. No, I’m not a huge fan, but I can at least taste and smell it without getting sick.

Bring on the pumpkin spice marshmallows, Oreos, and all the things! And, please, for heaven’s sake … someone please rescue me from this pickle I’m in.

Amy Shankland is an empty-nester, writer, and fundraising professional living in Noblesville with her husband John and two dogs. You can reach her via email at amys@greenavenue.info.