Fruit Cake made by the monks.
Fruit Cake made by the monks.
Fruit Cake made by the monks.

There’s still two days until Christmas and already I have heard the words muttered on several occasions, never flattering — “fruit cake”.

Seems this holiday tradition pops up every year. People make it, buy it, gift it and then spend hours…days brooding over what to do with it when they are on the receiving end of one.

Does any really like fruit cake? If so, please do raise your hand, because I have yet to find one poor soul.

This Sunday on FoodTV they had a whole episode on finding an eatable fruitcake. The one that was actually made on TV used dried apricots, dates, cherries…none of the unidentifiable green and red stuff that appears in most fruit cakes. The one on TV did actually look eatable and if I was not heading out to Ottawa this week, I may have attempted this feat as I find it hard to turn down a challenge.

Today, it is 8:15 am EST and already, the game of hide-the-fruit cake has begun. It actually started yesterday with H.S. commenting she had several fruitcakes she needed to get rid of. One particular fruitcake she suspects cost a pretty penny. This morning, after brooding on it overnight and probably many days prior to my arrival, she has decided to donate it to the local food bank. I wonder how many fruit cakes food banks get during the holidays.

Should we declare “Death to Fruit Cakes!” or at least openly note that it is an out-dated convention and just send each other photos of fruit cakes?

Loni Stark is an artist at Atelier Stark, self-professed foodie, and adventure travel seeker who has a lifelong passion for technology’s impact on business and creativity. She collaborates with Clinton Stark on video projects for Atelier Stark Films. It’s been said her laugh can be heard from San Jose all the way up to the Golden Gate Bridge. She makes no claims to super powers, although sushi is definitely her Kryptonite.