Oh, the joy of an oil ball!  "Oil ball" is a literal translation of the Dutch word "Oliebol" -- a special treat served at this time of the year.  As the name of the delicacy might suggest, it is a light, healthy snack made from fruits, nuts, and whole grains delicately glazed with sunflower oil and toasted to perfection before being served with a side of raw carrots [In case you didn't catch my subtle sarcasm, I'm joking here]...  No, actually, an "oil ball" is bleached white flour whipped into a heavy batter and deep-fried to a crisp, then served with a dusting of powdered sugar.  After consuming an oliebol, your face is smeared with powdered sugar, your fingers are greasy, and your stomach feels like a pound of concrete has been poured into it intravenously.

But golly, an oliebol sure does taste good.

Actually, to be completely honest, I could live without oliebollen.  I think they're pretty nice... but not sublime.  The true joy of an oliebol is its seasonal quality.  Like a glass of rosé in the Vondelpark on a sunny summer evening... like a piece of pumpkin pie with whipped cream following Thanksgiving dinner... an oliebol is a classic symbol of late-fall in the Netherlands.  I think that the oliebol tradition is supposed to be more attached to New Year's celebrations -- but the little trailer concession stands typically start popping up in October, at major intersections throughout the city, and they remain there throughout October, November, and December.  They're all set up with rows of gleaming white ball lights, and they cast a friendly glow all around, along with the happy smell of fried dough.  Oliebollen stands are, without a doubt, one of the true bright spots (speaking both literally and figuratively) in this otherwise darker time of the year.

So today, I had my first oliebol of the season.  A krentebol (oliebol with raisins) actually.  I took the kids there after school, and we shared the after-school snack that is a mother's worst nightmare.  Except it's OK -- because you only get to do it once or twice a year... That's the joy of an oliebol.