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At the top of the mountain was the Iron Cross. It is a very small cross on a very tall pole stuck in a pile of rock at the summit. Tradition dictates that pilgrims leave a rock from some where else (either home or found on the Camino) or that they leave a personal item. The base of the cross is a totem to all the pilgrims who have passed through before us. There were love notes, photos of children, candles, charms, pictures of saints, pieces of clothing, cigarettes - you name it, it was probably at the Iron Cross.
One of theings I love best about Spain is its people. As we walked through one sleepy village we noticed a huge cherry tree loaded with fruit. Near the tree was a fence with several plastic bags wrapped around one of the posts. As the cherries were very high up, a few brave souls climbed the tree, while I swatted at the branches (not the ones they were on) with Cz´s walking stick. It was like a giant cherry piƱata.
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We spend the rest of the day plotting our cherry fest.
We have cherry mashed potatoes, red wine cherry compote, and fresh cherries with yoghurt.
Only time for one recipe.
Cherry Compote with red wine. I don´t actually know what a compote is, but I imagine it goes something like this...
ingredients
Lots of pitted sweet cherries
red wine
sugar
flour or tapioca or cornstarch (the directions are for flour)
directions
Put the cherries in a pot big enough to hold them with room to stir
Add wine so in comes half as high in the pot as the cherries (ie half pot cherries = quarter pot wine)
Add sugar to taste (these cherries were very sweet so we only added a few tablespoons)
Heat over medium until boiling gently
Sift in about a quarter cup of flour, stirring constantly
Cook until thickened, stirring occasionally
Serve with tasty things.
We made trifle with cookies, yoghurt, fresh cherries and the compote.
I imagine you could do a cherry sundae, cherry short cake, or cherries with rice pudding or...the variations are endless.
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1 comment:
I am drooling over image of sweet cherry laden tree - thought you'd like to know that the one melon seed that sprouted produced AT ONE TIME 4 soccer ball size melons. You guys may be stuffing yourselves on cherries - we're eating melons (chickens love the seeds and rind too).
mom
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