Watermelon is enjoyed and revered here as it was at home when I was a child. It is a big deal. It is a big treat, and it is a special gift to take to someone on a hot summer day. Igor and Lori always stop on the way from Belgrade to Bijeljina to buy a watermelon for Pava and Petar, and everyone to enjoy after the welcome meal.
It goes immediately into the outdoor sink with water running over it to cool for a couple of hours, and then into the fridge until we are ready.The golden melon is apparently a kind of cantaloupe.
The table is set with a plate and knife for each, and the sliced watermelon in the center. It is refreshing in the last of the steamy heat of the day.
There are a lot of laughs, and usually later, a little cake, and more laughs until the wee hours of the morning when it is finally cool enough to sleep.
Snezena, Nikola’s wife, and the neighbour across the lane came with a bowl of plums for an evening visit to say “hello”! There are not fences between the yards here that you can’t see through, so neighbourhood visiting in the evening during the summer is very common, and looked forward to.
This kolac (cake) is one I have had many times in this area from a variety of homes, so it must be a common idea. The concept is to use a biscuit cookie, and layer a walnut icing or pudding mixture (butter, sugar, milk, nuts) between the biscuits. It is not too sweet, at all, but creamy and nutty. I really like it, but it is certainly rich without seeming rich.
If you are hungry, have something to eat, but usually, after the larger mid-afternoon meal, there is fruit and a cake and coffee, beer, wine, or whatever, with visiting, and bed at his house.
Tags: watermelon
