A Memorial Day weekend trip to Long Island's North Fork triggered memories of summers past and - of course - food. More than any other holiday, I think this spring-to-summer ritual reflects the difference between Florida and other parts of the country: they're finally emerging from their homebound cocoons into the sunshine of barbecues and farm-fresh veggies. We're getting ready to deal with our three H's: heat, humidity and hurricane warnings. Out-of-doors won't be the comfiest place to be for the next few months.

"Do you remember?" was a big part of the four days I spent there. How about mello-rolls, the smooth, cylindrical ice cream that required its own special, squared-off cone in which to nestle. Do they still have mello-rolls? Did you, who grew up in other parts of the country, eat them or were they just a regional treat?

I don't know about your mom, but mine was a firm believer in no candy bars during the summer months, because hot weather encouraged the growth of worms. I never knew - and actually still don't - if this was just a mom-trick to get us off candy. But I do know that when I sneaked off when I was about ten and ate a summertime Baby Ruth bar, I took a big bite and - you guessed it - worms! Fact or coincidence? What do you think? Was there a similar philosophy in your house?

Since we grew up without a/c - of course - what we ate during a muggy heat wave involved very little cooking. After all, the steam from boiling water could actually make the kitchen wallpaper bubble and blister! In those days before low fat and high cholesterol, we'd enjoy big bowls of rich sour cream with cut up scallions, cukes, radishes and the like. Yummy, filling and C-O-O-L. What where your family's special hot-weather dishes that weren't eaten at other times of the year?

Along with the Good Humor Man's jingling bell, the homemade Kool-Aid stand on the corner and summer-only corn on the cob and watermelon (no NAFTA or one-day truck deliveries) , these things were a big part of my summertime foodie memories, kid version. How about you? We're waiting for you to share at tcfoodie@yahoo.com.

We received some follow-ups to our Salad Days of Summer column: Pamela Vollbracht wrote to tell us about the Mango Chutney Chicken Salad at The Islander Cafe, 10527 South Ocean Boulevard, Jensen Beach. She says, " ... incredibly delicious and beautifully presented." And Connie Falkenburg e-mailed, "One of the best salads I ever had is at Yogi's, just north of Baker Road on the west side of Federal Highway. I don't remember the name ... but it is very large with nuts, cherries and so much in it and the dressing is to die for."

Thanks so much to both of them for the input.