Yesterday I had my first snowball of the season. Snowballs are what people in Baltimore (and surrounding environs) call shaved ice with flavoring added. Snowball stands pop up in parking lots everywhere during the warm months. People not only have favorite flavors, but they often become loyal to specific snowball stands. I do not have a favorite stand, but I do have a favorite flavor: grape.
My stop yesterday was a mixed experience.
On the bad side of things, there was a long line, and the sun was beastly hot. Then a guy who came to the line after me broke in front of me because the guy in front of me was his friend. They were both in their forties. They should know better!
On the good side of things, there was a mom and two kids behind me who were talking all about snowballs and saying hilarious things. My favorite quote: “They have all sorts of fruit flavors: bubble gum, cherry, orange…”
This particular stand shaved the ice until it was like snow. They were the lightest shavings I’ve ever eaten. I liked it.
When are you going to grow a bubble gum tree? Or is it a shrub? Those are self-pollinating, right?
What??? No marshmallow??? You’re clearly not a Baltimorean!
People who grew up in Baltimore have favorite stands because it takes time to find a stand that has the ice the way you like it, the amount of flavoring the way you like it, and the right consistency in the marshmallow. For me that would be not too thick but not runny so it mixes in with the rest of the snowball. When you find a stand that fulfills all 3 things…they have you for life!
Are you messing with me? Liquid marshmallow or marshmallow creme? I’m shuddering here.
So what you’re saying is, you don’t like marshmallow…of any kind? I love marshmallows out of the bag, roasted on a campfire & on my snowballs. The snowball marshmallow comes in various consistencies. Some are like the creme right out of the jar. That’s too thick for me. Some are too watered down (or whatever they use to thin it out). I like mine thick enough to eat but not thin enough to mix in with the flavor of the snowball. Maybe this will help:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6t5VTPWKTBg/S6rBq2IpL_I/AAAAAAAAAIA/qcpTaWOoM4w/s1600/four.JPG
I guess it’s a Baltimore thing, like crabs. True Baltimoreans will argue about where the best snowballs are. Seriously.
I’ve put whipped cream in. It was better than I expected.
PS Bet you can’t guess my favorite flavor…it’s followed by Egg Custard and Sky Blue.
If anyone finds a snowball stand that offers bacon flavor, let me know!
When Wolf’s moved out the road a piece, I gave up on the snowball. NO-body made them like Miss Ann and her crew. My favorite? The Highlandtowner (Hon!): home made vanilla ice cream on the bottom, chocolate (Hershey’s – fat free – syrup, of course!)over the shaved ice, and a glob of marshmallow cream on top (Peggy’s right – without the marshmallow, it just isn’t a snowball, Hon!) If anyone finds a local stand that makes one of these, please clue me in – ‘cuz Rita’s is okay on a hot day, but……
…and BACON flavored SNOWballs?! Miss Shell – really!!! (Interesting concept, though…I once wondered what tomato-flavored ice cream might taste like, so what the heck?)
Again, I feel I’m being messed with.
Miss Lauren – trust us! Would we fib to you? The Hihglandtowner was the bomb of snowballs…but, alas…no more, it would seem. Sniffle…