76 Trombones.....

January 29, 2020 8:40 AM

I volunteered to prepare a birthday dinner for someone who is turning 76. I have been given the theme "Trombones" for the dessert (and possibly dinner?). Help me make this amazing.

I am an average skill baker with access to many ingredients/tools. I am looking for ideas for how to personify "Trombones" in a dessert (or dinner?). It does NOT have to be literal (i.e, "bake a sheetcake and draw a trombone on it"); the more evocative or tangential, the better. Please note: no one involved plays the trombone, this is just whimsey and the desire to challenge me.

posted by papergirl to Food & Drink (12 answers total)

The key traits of a trombone are that it is a brass instrument, and it has a slide.

You could serve mudlsides in brass cups. (other "slide" drinks include Slippery Slide and Irish Slide)

Also perhaps sliders or anything else with "slide" in its name. Apparently there's a dish known as slide chicken.
posted by SaltySalticid at 9:06 AM on January 29, 2020 [3 favorites]

Best answer: A parade of an assortment of mini desserts or petit fours? 76 of something representing trombones, then 110 of something for the cornets, etc, etc?
posted by little king trashmouth at 9:10 AM on January 29, 2020 [2 favorites]

Here's a dessert called zabaglione trombone. Mmm, zabaglione.
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 9:12 AM on January 29, 2020 [3 favorites]

Puff pastry creme horns?
posted by eotvos at 9:26 AM on January 29, 2020 [3 favorites]

There is a surprising internet trend around flaming trombone videos. I assumed the one I'd seen was a one-off and sent it to my trombone playing friend and he educated me on the many, many flaming trombone videos he'd been sent over the years. So it's possible that something that gets lit on fire -- cherries jubilee or saganaki style -- could be part of your theme.

Also, in french, paperclips are called 'trombones'. I have no food ideas that relate to that, but I find it amusing and maybe it could expand your repertoire of ideas if you include stacks of paper in your inspiration. Or present something with the recipe card paperclipped to it?
posted by jacquilynne at 9:33 AM on January 29, 2020

Best answer: Campanelle pasta is shaped a little like the bell of a brass instrument.
posted by lakeroon at 9:40 AM on January 29, 2020 [1 favorite]

Your local high school probably has some trombonists who would love to have the spotlight!
posted by nakedmolerats at 10:09 AM on January 29, 2020 [1 favorite]

long chains of paperclips hung like garlands?
posted by runincircles at 11:05 AM on January 29, 2020 [1 favorite]

Cannoli? They're kind of horn-like.
posted by sleeping bear at 11:05 AM on January 29, 2020 [1 favorite]

Runincircles' suggestion of paperclip garlands reflects that they are called trombones. Example.
posted by carmicha at 12:33 PM on January 29, 2020

Best answer: Roasted trom-bone marrow
trombone broth
trumpet mushrooms

I also found this menu from a place called Lawry's the Prime Rib in Chicago

"Seventy six trombones led the big parade ... Join us for a three course themed dinner with a performance of everyone's favorite musical, 'The Music Man' at the Goodman Theater.

• Shipooopi Amuse Bouche
• Spinning Bowl Salad, an Orchestra of Three Types of Lettuce, String Beets, Egg, Sourdough Croutons, Classic Vintage Dressing
• California Cut, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, with a Medley of Creamed Corn and Creamed Spinach
• White & Dark Chocolate Mousse Piano Cake
• Coffee or Tea served with Sweet & Low"

I would be very interested to know what was in the Shipooopi Amuse Booche.
posted by unstrungharp at 6:38 PM on January 29, 2020

Not great for the environment, but - bendy straws look like trombone slides and straws can in fact be used to make tiny trombones that actually play.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 8:28 AM on January 30, 2020