It has been raining like cats and dogs in San Francisco this week. I was about to get depressed since raining means no outdoor activities for me. That is until I found my old food photos from summer trips and festivals. Thought I post some of my favorite food from past that will make me look forward to summer months again.
1. Shaved Ice – Taiwan
Grass jelly, mochi, taro, peanuts, beans with a layer of sweet sugar water coating the shaved ice on the bottom. This has been my favorite when I visit Taiwan during the humid summer days. Many shaved ice places also serve fruit shaved ice where lots of mangoes, kiwi topped with condensed milk. Definitely a must try when you visit Taiwan in summer.
2. Funnel Cake – North America
This is the most fascinating festival food I tried before during summer. The twisted, weird shape funnel cake that is fried to be golden crispy on the outside, soft in the inside topped with fresh fruits, chilling ice cream, and warm chocolate sauce. Funnel cake definitely caught my heart since 6 years ago, and now I search for it every time there is a festival in town.
3. Fruit Candy On a Stick – Japan
This was an interesting find when I went to Ueno district in Tokyo, Japan. There was a street full of food vendors near the temple there, and my eyes could not stop looking this way to the fruit candy stand. It is basically fruits dipped in thick sugar coat on a stick, but in order for the sugar coat from melting and sticking to something, the vendor kept it on a huge ice block with little holes. Can’t say if it was really delicious, because when I took the first bite, the sugar coat got stuck to my teeth….
4. Chocolate Fruits on a Stick – North America
I have not seen anything like this before (I definitely has not seen this in Taiwan before), and at a sunny warm afternoon, this saved me from overheating. The vendor had the fruits on the stick pre-frozen, then when you order one, she will dip the stick into the chocolate sauce. The chocolate sauce froze instantly when it touches the fruits. A “cool” summer treat that I will not forget. (Now I buy the chocolate banana popsicle in Trader Joe’s to stop my craving)
Are you looking forward to warm, sunny weather? Got any treats you love to get during summer?
FootTracker 
Thank you for putting a positive spin on the rainy weather. I have been feeling discouraged about the pouring rain in Portland, Oregon too. But now, I’ll think about summer treats instead. I like putting ice cubes, frozen orange juice, a banana, an egg and a little whipping cream into a blender. It’s so easy, cold, and yummy!
woo, I want to try that! I have a favorite summer drink in Taiwan where they put ice, egg york, orange juice, condense milk together and blend. It has that summer feel, but less sourness of the orange juice.
Ahhh, that grass jelly! I think I’ll avoid it. 😉 One of my favorite summer foods are frozen grapes. Just pop them in the freezer for a refreshing (and easy) snack!
I never knew the idea of frozen fruit as snacks until I came here to USA. XD
Give grass jelly another try if you travel to Taiwan. ^^ It is good!!
Ooh, frozen grapes. Great idea!
YUM!!!!!!! I love food at all times of year, especially sweets, but summer does have some of the best doesn’t it? FUN post!
Food in summer just have that high spirit, cheerful feel to it! I cannot wait when the sun is shinning bright almost everyday.
Oh WOW! I think I just got a sugar rush from reading.
I think the post did its purpose ^_^ (whispers: yes!)
The shaved ice was a welcome relief on a 37 degrees celsius day in Taiwan 🙂
I love shave ice….I would eat it even in winter.
The shaved ice and the funnel cake both look good to me! I haven’t had either 😦
You might need to take a summer vacation from Europe and come to USA or go to Taiwan for like a food trip! (I will recommend you lots of high-calorie but delicious guilty food XD)
Chocolate fruit on a stick! That’s what I want right now…
Those are awesome….I am thinking about making my own with melted chocolate.
We really did get a lot of rain last week. Isn’t it wonderful how tasty treats can change our mood (even photos of them)? Funnel cake definitely evokes summer for me — festivals, fairs, etc.
I wish there is a place that sells funnel cake regularly. It is pretty painful when I suddenly have cravings for funnel cake but there is nowhere to go. >.<