Munch Madness 2014: Round 1, Match 8: Pickles ‘n Hummus vs. Orange Soda ‘n Chocolate Ice Cream, by Nicole Smeltzer

[It is with special delight that we introduce the author of this final first-round match, Nicole Smeltzer, author and illustrator of the too-charming blog and cut-paper memoir The Middlest Sister. She has enlisted the tasting expertise of her family to present us with the final entry into the Elite Eight, choosing between your No. 7 Orange Soda and Chocolate Ice Cream, and No. 10 Pickles and Hummus, in vibrant, fully-illustrated style.]

I have seen my husband Mike combine up to three different abandoned leftovers in a frying pan, mix it all up with eggs and eat the resulting mess for breakfast at least once a week now for the past seven years. I have seen our five-year-old daughter Bee make and eat a taco stuffed with whatever she can find in the fridge, including baked beans, Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, cheese, and pickles. And they have seen me gag lightly and abruptly leave the room.

Still, we were all excited when Kristina asked us to be judges in this year’s Munch Madness. And I was especially relieved when I saw what were judging: Pickles + Hummus v Orange Soda + Chocolate Ice Cream.

Were you surprised? I was. I usually love the combination of orange and chocolate. But something about the orange soda and chocolate ice cream just didn’t work. If I liked it at all, it’s because I like orange soda and I like chocolate ice cream, but I would never drink it again. I’m also surprised both by how well the pickles and hummus worked together and why I never thought to try it before. After all, cucumber and hummus pair up all the time! I’m glad Munch Madness gave me the opportunity to try it cause now I have a new favorite snack.