Something California does not have is giardiniera. It's apparently a Chicago thing and frankly, something I cannot live without. If it is not a common thing in your region, do not be fooled by the vinegar soaked spicy pickled salad they pass off as giardiniera. Not that that stuff is bad. It's a good relish; it's just not the same thing.
Every time we go shopping out there, I look for it. They simply do not have it. It is a sin. A sin, I tell you. I decided to take some with me, like a pack mule. But I made a huge mistake.
I usually check my bag. Just because I am paranoid and also because I throw things in my suitcase at the last minute. I do not want to worry about it. I also am all of 5'1", which makes the task of using the overhead bin a challenge. I know I can ask for help, but I just do not want to deal. Check it and forget about it.
I was taking a bunch of toiletries to leave out there, so I would just have everything I need out there. No need to carry all that stuff every single time, you know? I know I need perfume, makeup and deodorant, conditioner - just leave it there.
My bag was a tad heavy. It was 52 lbs. The person at check-in asks if I can take something out. In my haste, I think "the giardenera is exactly 2 lbs." She tells me that food items are fine. So I take it out.
As I am in the security line, I think that maybe that was a bad call. It is after all packed in oil. And I clearly am going to endanger everyone on the plane with my chopped celery, carrots, peppers, and cauliflower. Especially since I honestly can barely keep my eyes open when flying. I sleep like a baby Stella.
Those TSA mother fuckers snagged my food. For real. They took it. And I do not mean the confiscated it and tossed it. They TOOK it. I was like "ok, I'll throw it out" and they said that they had to scan again. They went through my bag, removed it. Told me they had to rescan all of it, but did not rescan the jars. They sat neatly on the top of the machine. Wrapped in the towel and Ziploc bag.
Tell me that the agents did not have some yummy sandwiches that night. I swear.
Am I really a threat? Good lord.
Then some jamoke says to me " you know you can mail that stuff right?"
I was all "really? you can mail things?" What a chump! Yeah, I wanted to surprise my boyfriend since they don't have it out there, you dumb moose knuckle.
Though I have yet to be groped in security. So hooray for that. I was super paranoid about that happening.
Here's some straight edge punk rock for you.
About Me
- Artemis J
- I am brutally honest, super opinionated, and swear like a sailor. You have been warned. You'll either love me or hate me. I'm cool either way. All posts and personal photographs herein are © Copyright 2011 ArtemisJ. All rights reserved.
The TSA are crazy. Some days, they barely look at you. Other times, they see a terrorist in every grandmother and college student. Who knows what goes through their minds?
ReplyDeleteI could definitely go for some of that giardiniera. I have no idea why they don't sell it out here. You can buy like 30 different styles of tofu. You'd think they'd make room for a jar or two of this delicious condiment.
I appreciate that you tried to bring me some, anyway. :)
They have it in Atlanta!! Thank God!!!!! Sorry those mean TSA peeps took it from you!!!
ReplyDelete@ Mac - I am packing some for my next trip. You need to have a supply there. As soon as I can eat it again, I will join in the fun.
ReplyDelete@ Atlanta - It is good stuff. I kinda don;t blame them for taking it. But really? what was I going to do? Spice the pilot?
Ok no details necessary but I'm dieing to know having lived out there which country of California will you be moving to North or South..and I'm sure you'll miss that but I'm also sure you'll find some special yummies there you'd never thought of before as well :-)
ReplyDeleteIt sucks traveling and the hard time they give you, once you make your move you wont have to worry about it. Cool selection on the music for this blog big hardcore fan here.
ReplyDeleteI've never even heard of this stuff. I guess we're not cosmopolitan enough in Edmonton to have it ;-) Damn the (TSA) Man!
ReplyDelete@ Chris - I will be moving up north. Which at least means season, which I like to have. And I will have winter, just mild. I am looking forward to it.
ReplyDelete@ Diggy - True I will not! Just a few times a year to visit my family. Right on for hardcore. Minor Threat was on of the first bands in that genre I discovered.
@ la nom - It is delish. Spicy yumminess. It is actually not a common condiment. I always had it around, but I do not think it's everywhere. My man lives in a major city and they do not have it either.
Nope, never heard of it either, but then that's not all that surprising. I probably will try and get my hands on some now though, Americophile that I am. :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't flown since 9/11 (which sounds funny even to say, since I used to have to fly maybe half a dozen times a year) so I can't really comment on the safety stuff. I do remember that it used to be pretty hit-or-miss whether they checked you back then, though. As a teenager (I was 17 when 9/11 happened) I was always petrified that they'd go through my bags and find my sex toys. Now I'd probably find it hilarious if they did. Funny how you can change without even realising it.
What's a jamoke?