Ice Cream

Hi Puzzlers,

Don’t you just love our newest puzzle Ice Cream Candy Swirls? Ice cream has always been my favorite treat. Notice I didn’t say dessert, because I eat it morning, noon and night, for any and every reason. People have been enjoying this scrumptious treat for centuries.

Prior to 1553 most frozen treats were more like today’s slushies or snow cones. Around 400 BC the Persians developed a dessert of frozen batter and rose water flavored with fruit and saffron, while Alexander the Great enjoyed mixing snow with fruit and honey. Roman Emperor Nero (AD 54-86) sent his servants to gather snow and ice so it could be served with fruit and juices.

Legend states it was Catherine de Medici, upon marrying King Henry II of France, who brought the ice cream from Italy to France. The recipe called for the use of cream rather than milk and this is why Italians are credited with being the first to invent ice cream. My Italian husband started dancing around like a crazy mad man when he found this out and the smile is yet to leave his face.

In America most everyone loves their pie a la mode. But be careful with the term in a European country! "In French cuisine, a la mode (literally 'in the fashion') refers to a dish of beef braised with vegetables and served either hot in a rich brown sauce or cold in aspic. In the USA, however, a la mode denotes a dish (such as apple pie) served with ice cream." The American a al mode phrase (served with ice cream) became popular in the late 1890’s.

When doing this puzzle please enjoy a dish of your favorite ice cream for added pleasure.

Happy Puzzling!