Let's face it, counterintuitive — or just plain weird — treats are what your foodie friend wants. ICED TEA CANDY ($2.99), for example, tastes just like milky, sweetened iced tea without the refreshing liquid quality (it may be the least appetizing offering among the wonderful nuts and sweets at Fastachi, 598 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, 617.924.8787). Or check out Cardullo's SCORPION LOLLIPOPS ($2.99) in banana, strawberry, blueberry, and apple. Sadly, the WHITE CHOCOLATE-COVERED ANTS are currently out of stock.
Of course, a fruit basket is (almost) always welcome. Russo's (560 Pleasant Street, Watertown, 617.923.1500) can probably throw something together. Let's see, a few of those goliath HACHIYA PERSIMMONS ($1.39 each) that are just coming into season, a BUDDHA'S HAND CITRON ($5.98/lb) for sheer creepiness and a lovely lemon scent, and a few RAMBUTAN ($3.98/lb) — the aptly named "hairy fruit" — for color. What foodie could resist?
Clea Simon, who, due to a sluggish economy, will be gifting everyone with homemade jerky this season, can be reached atcleas@earthlink.net.
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