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Can you feel it? The heaviness of an impending summer storm, the air thick with humidity and a palpable tension that shows up in your body as unease or restlessness? Soon, the darkening sky will rip open and then… petrichor. 

I love that word petrichor. It means the smell of rain on dry earth. More specifically, it comes from the Greek roots petra for stone or earth, and ichor, which was the fluid that ran in the veins of the Gods. The blood of the gods falling to the stones below. Petrichor.

It’s a release of pent-up energy, a climactic end to the heavy, slow heat that’s been building for days. It’s a deep sigh of relief as much-needed moisture waters the arid landscapes of the west. It’s a smell so enchanting you have to open all the windows, or even run outside to breathe it in deeply, savoring every complexity encased in such a fresh smell. Like the thirsty earth accepts the rain, you soak in the petrichor,  letting it saturate your body as raindrops massage your shoulders. Immerse yourself. Summer rainstorms are a rare treat here, something worthy of celebration! 

Why not make a weather event the focal point of a celebration? There’s a certain air of celebratory excitement with the first snow of the year, or the first trees to blossom in the spring, is there not? Perhaps the summertime equivalent of Hanami, or cherry-blossom viewing, is Petrichor sniffing and summer rain dancing. You get to make the rules. You get to start the traditions. 

So when you feel that familiar sticky heaviness and see rain in the forecast, start getting ready. Assemble your ingredients for the perfect snack. Chill that bottle of wine or sparkling water to toast it with. Call up your friends and tell them “the rain is coming. Are you ready?” 

Petrichor Appetizers: 

These beautiful little bites are pure summertime. Sweet, juicy watermelon is accented with the cooling bite of wild mint, tangy feta, and peppery nasturtium, plus a drizzle of sweet balsamic vinegar. The final touch are little lime juice “dewdrops” that add a lovely sour note and the appearance of fresh rain. These are easy to assemble as long as you plan ahead long enough to put some neutral oil in the fridge to chill overnight! 

Ingredients: 

Fresh watermelon

Wild mint

Feta

Nasturtium leaves

High quality thick aged balsamic vinegar

Lime dewdrops, below.

Directions: 

1. Cut the watermelon into 1” slices, then cut 1 ½ “ circles out with a pastry cutter. Scoop a little out of the middle with a melon baller. 

2. In the indentation, stuff in a couple of mint leaves and top with enough feta to fill it. Drizzle on a couple of drops of balsamic vinegar, then stick a nasturtium leaf on top. 

3. Carefully arrange a few lime dewdrops on top of each nasturtium leaf to look like fresh dew. Serve fresh and cold and enjoy! 

Lime Dewdrops: 

Note: this recipe makes far more than you’ll need for these appetizers. You can halve or quarter it, or just make the full amount and toss them into fruit salads for a surprising zing! 

1 pkg gelatin

3 Tbs. water

⅓ c. freshly-squeezed lime juice, strained through a coffee strainer

½ tsp. Sugar

At least 4 cups of a neutral oil (like canola), chilled overnight

Ice

Salt

Directions: 

1. Pour the chilled oil into a tall glass or other transparent container. Set it in a large bowl and surround it with ice, then sprinkle the ice with salt. You want the oil to get as cold as possible. 

2. Sprinkle the gelatin over the water in a small bowl and let sit for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, heat up the strained lime juice until it is hot but not boiling and dissolve the sugar in it. Add the bloomed gelatin and mix until dissolved.

3. Using an eyedropper or syringe, drop little drops of the lime juice mixture into the cold oil until they begin sinking. As they sink, they should solidify, leaving round drops of lime juice at the bottom. Once you’ve used up your lime juice mixture, strain the oil out and save it. 

4. Store the “caviar” with a thin layer of oil covering it. Right before serving, rinse it well under cold water, then place it on your dish as desired.

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