The Spanish root word is antojo which means whim. Then, applying the rules of suffix modifications, antojitos should mean little whims. In fact, it translates more accurately to snacks or perhaps appetizers. Natural language is a very nuanced thing.
In past years, this has been the time of year during which Susan and I gathered my Mom and our son to make a vacation pilgrimage to Estes Park, Colorado. My mother is no longer among the living, and our son and his wife have settled their young family in Omaha. Alas, when we now go to Estes Park, it is as it was when we were married, young, and childless – just the two of us.
I was thinking about this a few evenings ago. That’s when it happened. I was suddenly struck by an antojito – a craving, as it were. I thought of Christmas gatherings with family and the confections we often enjoyed during the holidays. I thought of chocolate covered cherries, Whitman’s samplers, and the like. I don’t often eat candy. I most often turn it down, but when an antojito strikes, it is difficult to deny it.
I opened my iPhone’s browser and went to Amazon Prime. Momentarily, I found a box of Whitman’s that I could order with little more than a click. Click and done! Then I saw a listing for a tray of Ferrero’s assorted confections. I clicked on it as well. Soon, I was anticipating, (Hell, salivating) for sweet, chocolatey treats. That’s the way it is with antojitos; they get the digestive juices flowing even days in advance of the actual treat.
The Whitman’s arrived yesterday. The Ferraro confections arrived today. I like milk chocolate; Susan prefers dark. I like nuts and coconut. I’m not keen on Nutella – odd because my favorite Thanksgiving nuts are Hazelnuts and Almonds. We both indulged our antojitos, and neither of us felt even a twinge of guilt.
The days are getting shorter, and I am feeling a seasonal antojo pulling me northward toward Colorado. Perhaps we may see a bobcat and other wildlife. I just as soon not see a bear. Depending on the vagaries of life, we may also visit our grandchildren. We shall see.