Fresh Fruit

Growing up, I have experienced a plethora of dinner experiences with my Iranian best friend, Ayla. I have eaten hundreds of dinners at her house. I remember the first dinner I had there. I was in third grade and our friendship was just starting to blossom. I sat down with her family and I was immediately drawn to the array of items. I remember being shocked by how many options and how much food there was. There were large bowls full of colorful vegetables, rice, chicken, and salad. At my family dinners, typically my food was not presented in large bowls but rather my mom organized and pre-made my plate. While conversing with her family, I immediately felt at home. The food was delicious and her family was warm and inviting. After finishing my first plate, I was pressed for seconds, thirds. By the end of the meal, I was so full but I was content. I remember just feeling like I fit right in. It was almost like I had known her family for years. The conversation continued after our food and we lingered for at least and hour, just talking. Once we got up from the table, I tried to clean up my dishes but her mother grabbed them out of my hands and insisted that she would do it. She was so hospitable and to this day, she still will not let me do any dishes. After the meal, Ayla and I went upstairs and within an hour, her mom brought up fresh, cut-up fruit, crisp apples and sweet oranges for dessert. To this day, my dinner experiences at her house are the same exact way: the delectable rice and vegetables and of course, the fresh fruit afterwards. Growing up with her family has made me absolutely adore Persian culture. I remember being young and almost wishing I was Persian because I admired their traditions and cuisine. If I have children when I grow up, I hope to replicate this warm and loving dinner experience in my household.