It’s summer! I don’t know what the weather is like where you’re at, but summer has definitely hit Omaha, Nebraska. The last couple weeks have been unseasonably comfortable. Now, whammy! 90^o + (F) temperatures for now until the foreseeable future – at least through the 4th of July and beyond.

Summer brings a lot of thoughts and planning, especially around the 4th. For one thing, my oldest son was born on the 4th. So for the last 49 years, the 4th has been party time! When he and his brother were younger and still at home, we celebrated by having our own fireworks display (limited and under close supervision, of course) in our little cul-de-sac. Anyone was invited from our neighbors to other family members and friends. That was fun and created a lot of cherished memories.

Another tradition on the 4th came from my Mennonite background – watermelon and roll kuchen, also known as “elephant ears” or “crullers”. There are some Mennonite circles that claim the watermelon seed was brought to America by the Mennonites from Southern Russia (Ukraine). I don’t know if there is any proof of that, but it’s fun to imagine.

This watermelon and Roll Kuchen was the entire meal. Our family adapted the menu a bit by including potato chips in the meal and sometimes eliminating the Roll Kuchen. Those “elephant ears” were quite labor intensive. Potato chips were much easier, but no comparison.

I’m including a recipe for the Roll Kuchen below. You be the judge.

The original of this recipe was written in pencil on an index card much stained by overuse. Later my mother rewrote the recipe in pen on the opposite side to preserve the writing.

Elephant Ears – Crullers (Roll Kuchen)

• 1 C. Cream
• 1 Egg
• 1 Tbsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• Flour to make a soft dough

Roll out on floured board and cut into 2″x5″ strips. Cut a short slit in the center of each strip and fold one end through this slit. Cook in hot oil til brown.

NOTE: This makes a large batch and doesn’t particularly taste as good the day after.

These recipes are notoriously short of instructions. What you see is what you get. If you try these, let me know what you think.