Pickles and ice cream, separate or combined, have long been a cliche pregnancy craving. One author is even making some money from Pickles and Ice Cream, a bizarre cravings cookbook for expectant mothers. To find out what some moms crave while growing babies, we asked a local ice cream maker and a local pickle producer. 

Victoria Lai, Owner, Ice Cream Jubliee

Victoria had a lot on her plate in the fall of 2016. “I opened the T Street store a month before Zoey was born,” she says, referring to her daughter. “I was full-on pregnant. I craved sweets but not ice cream.” But her biggest need was between the bun. “I craved fruit juices and burgers. My employees even gave me a gift certificate to Five Guys.” Later on in her pregnancy Lai was all about late night peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, as well as pineapple and orange juice. “I’d grab a quart [of juice] from any grocery store and drink it in the car,” she says. “It was like sneaking a cigarette. I’m really edgy.” Lai has been experimenting with creating a playful pickle ice cream flavor at her shops, but hasn’t quite nailed it yet. “Maybe I’ll tinker a little bit more.”

Sheila Fain, Co-owner Gordy’s Pickle Jar

Sheila Fain and her wife and business partner Sarah Gordon are expecting a baby boy in November. She faced five weeks of morning sickness before any cravings could set in. “The best thing I can equate the feeling with is dealing with a hangover that comes and goes in waves,” she says. “During that time I was eating a ton of carbs. My diet regressed. I was eating a lot of bagels and cream cheese and boxed mac and cheese.” After 14 weeks, she says she took to dairy, citrus, and melon. “Lately I’ve been craving briny and acidic foods like olives and certain pickles,” including her own. “The whole ice cream thing is for real,” she continues. “I’m glad we live so close to Ice Cream Jubilee and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams.”  When their son is born, Fain says she’s going to feed him a pickle as soon as he can handle solid foods. “I can’t wait to see his little puckerface.”