Aquarius Bento

Although the sun has just moved into the colorful sign of Pisces, I'd like to share, a little late, a bento dedicated to Aquarius--the inventive, humanitarian, futuristic sign of the zodiac.

According the wonderful astrological cookbook  A Taste of Astrology by Lucy Ash, the flavors of this sign are "salty, cold, and fresh." Parsley, fennel leaves, rice, root vegetables, radishes, cucumbers, lemons, and coconut are foods associated with Aquarius, along with shades of violet, silver and electric green.

In keeping with "salty, cold and fresh" qualities, here we have salmon sushi rolls topped with beni shoga, caviar, and decorated with wasabi in the flowing water (or electrical bolt!) symbol of this sign. Sushi also fits the Aquarian theme, as "rice relates to Aquarius because it feeds hundreds of millions...and because it grows submerged in water." Wasabi's a perfect accent given its bright pale green color and capacity to startle and even shock the palate!

Crunchy eel roll is an unusual but very delicious sushi, in sync with unconventional Aquarius. Fennel leaves and avocado "blossoms" continue the fresh, green, cool theme. Deep purple sweet potato topped with ume pickles strikes a vibrating violet note, accented with crisp, refreshing parsley.

This silver-foiled coconut "catmonaut" is ready to boldly go where no feline has gone before, equipped with Hershey's kisses as tokens of this sign's famous friendliness.

Aquarius is associated with the Internet and friendships based on shared interests and activities--so our bento community partakes of some very Aquarian themes indeed!

Wishing you a fun and creative week ahead, bento pals!