Sampling the Holidays

continued

Would Hut-K even be open on Christmas Day? I asked this after putting away a light but filling meal of grains swathed in chutneys and resonating of mint, ginger, and tamarind. A tiny sample-spoon taste of coconut ice cream made me want to settle in and keep tasting the mango, pomegranate, and pineapple flavors.

Sumi shrugged her shoulders. "Christmas will be what day of the week?" she asked. I pulled up a calendar on my phone and pointed to Tuesday. "We are always closed on Monday," she said. "So we will have to see."

Note to self: Check back. Exiting the quiet little shop, I realized that fresh red peppers and cilantro may be just the red and green I will long for come December 25.   

[Originally published in December, 2012.]