A toast to the ‘mallow

Happy National Marshmallow Toasting Day!

You know, I’ve long felt the toasted marshmallow deserved a holiday all its own–especially those marshmallows burnt to a crisp on the outside, and soft like butter on the inside. Let’s just take a moment to reflect on that gooey goodness …

Sigh.

Growing up, toasting marshmallows was as much a part of summer as lemonade and slip n’ slides. We’d head for the hills and find the perfect spot. While dad built us a camp fire, my mom, brother, and I would scour the grounds in search of the perfect roasting sticks. Then we’d all sit down to execute our s’mores preparation.

My parents were meticulous in their tatics, patiently turning their sticks near a bit of smoldering coal to produce the perfectly browned marshmallow. It’s a skill, my friends. After all, there’s a fine line between accomplishment and annihilation. Take the marshmallow out too soon, and it won’t be done; leave it in too long and it will melt right off the stick. As for me, I’ve always taken more of a shock and awe approach: set the ‘mallow ablaze, blow it out, and you’re done. It’s a crispier form of perfection.

One evening, while away at college, the subject of s’mores came up. I’m not sure the context; but through the course of our conversation, a couple of friends mentioned they had never before toasted a marshmallow. Obviously, it was an issue that had to be remedied. Of course, it was late, in the inner city, and nary a car among us. So we made do with what we had–mainly, candles, mini marshmallows, and corn picks.

Just goes to show, you don’t need a camp fire, or even a fire pit, to enjoy the sweetness a toasted marshmallow has to offer. A little flame will do.

So yes, the next time life hands you lemons, by all means, make lemonade. But the next time life cuts the electricity? Make s’mores!