NEW YORK — “My name’s Joyce,” drawls a neighbor to Edward Scissorhands, “and I noticed that you have not tasted any of the ambrosia salad that I made especially for you.”
Johnny Depp’s character in the 1990 cult film opens wide to receive a giant spoonful of the fluffy pink-tinged fruit confection.
He manages an “mmm” as he chews, but not before viewers are treated to a food-sexy little scene involving Joyce’s disembodied hands laboriously preparing the dish, which has a long history and passionate protectors.
Mostly a holiday treat for Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas, ambrosia of yore was a humble delight. At least when compared to Joyce’s version or many of the fluffy parties in fancy bowls seen now on TikTok and Instagram.