Comfort food brings memories of Pa

Much to my surprise, last week on the snack aisle in the grocery store I encountered a fully stocked shelf of Fritos corn chips. 

This made me happy for three reasons. 

First, if you are a Fritos fan — even an occasional one, like me — you are painfully aware that Fritos remain high on the list of items that have been hard to find for the last two years.  

Many excuses are offered: COVID (of course), labor shortages, supply chain disruptions. Whatever the cause, they’ve been as scarce as hen’s teeth. 

The second reason for my joy was that I was able to snag a bag of these crunchy delectables just in time to nestle under a serving of the best chili you can get all year in eastern New Mexico: the savory recipe made by the Kiwanis Club of Portales. 

This Friday, as they have for the past 58 years, the Kiwanians will be in a Portales church kitchen stirring up vats of their chili — both beef and vegetarian — for one of their largest annual fundraisers. 

 Like last year, they’re opting to remain cautious and host the event as a “grab and go” from 5-7 p.m. in the parking lot of the First United Methodist Church, 200 S. Ave. C, Portales.  

 You don’t even have to exit your vehicle. Follow the signs, be prepared to pay for your tickets ($8 per generous serving) at the first station, then pick up your meals (did I mention that dessert is included?) at the next stop.  

As with any fundraiser, you are more than welcome — heck, you’re even encouraged — to pay a little more and leave the change.  

This is, after all, a group that spends all of its pennies supporting kids in our community, whether it is at the annual pet show at the Roosevelt County Fair or with school supplies and scholarships. 

That third reason I was so happy to see Fritos on the shelf? That one is purely sentimental. 

I only had one surviving grandparent when I was born. I have the barest of memories of the man known as “Pa,” who died only a few days after my third birthday, but one of those memories is Fritos. 

Pa was 96 when he died. The last years of his life had to have been somewhat disrupted (OK, thrown clear to the wolves) when the son who shared his ranch house brought home a bride and had three small children in rapid succession — my brothers and me. 

I don’t know if Pa ate a lot of Fritos or if he even liked Fritos.  

It’s possible he only kept them on hand to fling at the noisy herd of toddlers who periodically invaded his quiet space, much as one might hurl torn up pieces of bread to distract attacking geese. 

I only know that I’ve never eaten a Frito and even smelled one without thinking of him. 

Take a handful of those deep-fried flakes of golden cornmeal, smother them with some Kiwanis chili, toss on a few onions and maybe some cheese. 

Health food? No. In no way, shape, or form. 

Comfort food? Oh, yes. The deepest, crunchiest kind.  

Betty Williamson considerately snagged only one bag of Fritos. Reach her at:

[email protected]