From the moment the
waitress handed me the menu
it became a mask of sorts,
and I would begin telling
a round of jokes only a mother,
grandmother would find funny.
They knew I already had my
order in mind—same thing
every Saturday—BBQ chipped ham
on a bun. Likely it was chips on the side.
From the moment we began
walking to our table, the
aroma of this delight wafted
around me while other shoppers’
children devoured it nearby.
Islay’s chipped ham, wafer thin and
chopped small, blended its
porky sweet holiday smell
with Horne’s secret blend of molasses,
brown sugar, a bit of ketchup,
and did I taste cloves and ginger too?
The ham was simmered in the
reddish orange sauce, served
on a white, gold-banded, plate.
I spent at least five minutes
simply inhaling those intoxicating
odors before lifting the sandwich
to my mouth. Often, I abandoned
the bun which all too quickly
became a sodden mess and
finished what I could with a fork.
The concoction was even
slightly too sweet even for me.
My mother never forced me
to finish. I think
she disliked the whole idea of BBQ chipped ham.
In all honesty, my favorite
way to devour chipped ham was on
white bread with mayo or mustard.
I’m not sure if it was the clown menu,
the other children lapping it up
as if it were the only food in the world,
or simply for the joy of
having that magical aroma set in
front of me.
After lunch, a bit more shopping,
then home where the house would
soon fill with aromas of basil,
oregano, tomato sauce.
Saturday shopping days downtown
ended for our family,
sometime in the early sixties.
I understand that in Pittsburgh
chipped ham has found its
way into grocery stores. But
I’ve never heard of anyone selling
bottles of that sauce—I’d love
to buy one, just to keep around
for the occasional sniff of childhood.
Joan Leotta plays with words on page and stage. Internationally published as an essayist, poet, short story writer, novelist, she’s a multiple nominee for the Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net. Publications include One Art, Lothlorien Poetry Journal, The Mackinaw, The Ekphrastic Review, Yellow Mama, Red Eft Review, and Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine. Her story programs highlight food, family, and strong women. Presenting as Louisa May Alcott, she highlights the author’s development as a writer, activist, and time as a Civil War nurse. Joan’s taught storytelling and writing, for many groups, at libraries and in schools.
