Peasant Food

In the western world, the old world, food which grew below ground was deemed inferior and suited only for the dirt-grubbing lowly peasantry. But how good could cooking possibly be without onions, carrots, and garlic? Carrots we are harvesting aplenty, and more on the onion situation later.  For now though, here’s the garlic: As an …

Staple Solanums

I’ll start with some factoids: Every dominant culture has a high-energy carbohydrate staple crop at its center. These crops have been selectively-bred for hardiness and yield. Over-reliance can create famine from a species-specific collapse. Their base importance not only motivated humanity from hunter/gatherers into farmers, but also provided the caloric excesses needed for civilization.  Without …

Carrots Again

Liz tried a second crop of carrots.  Better this time, though the harvest was still small.  I don’t think they’re the most energy-efficient vegetable to grow, but neither are tomatoes I suppose.  Plus, they’re needed for those delicious mirepoix..es. –Simon