{"id":357,"date":"2010-03-29T19:08:29","date_gmt":"2010-03-29T08:08:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.belly.net.au\/?p=357"},"modified":"2010-03-30T21:36:31","modified_gmt":"2010-03-30T10:36:31","slug":"belly-29-march-2010-travels-with-seedsavers-wild-harvest-easter-chocolate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.belly.net.au\/?p=357","title":{"rendered":"belly 29 March 2010 – travels with seedsavers, wild harvest, easter chocolate"},"content":{"rendered":"

TOPICS<\/strong><\/span> : Seedsavers catch up – travels, wild harvesting, autumn recipes; chocolate and more chocolate<\/p>\n

GUEST<\/strong><\/span> : Jude Fanton, director of the Seedsavers Foundation<\/p>\n

PRESENTER<\/strong><\/span> : sister T
\n
\n<\/span>JUDE AND MICHEL’S LATEST TRAVELS:<\/span>
\n<\/strong><\/span>
\nAugust – we were three weeks in Vanuatu to film for Centre for
\nInternational Research into Agriculture and Development (CIRAD) based in
\nMontpelier, with a long term programme in Vanuatu. We filmed in remote villages
\n(one 70km from roads – went in by canoe) a film called “Our Roots” that will be
\nout in a month. It covers the re-diversification of root crops (yam, taro,
\ncassava and sweet potato) through seed reproduction.<\/p>\n

October – a three week speaking and filming tour for Biodiversity Network
\nin Japan.<\/p>\n

Mid November to mid January – in Rajasthan and then a month in Malaysia to
\nmid Feb. We were filming agricultural biodiversity and resilience and trialling
\nthe running of Seed Savers from afar. Thanks to iPhone and excellent mobile
\nphone coverage and wifi connectivity in both countries we were constantly
\nconnected and could field emails and update our website.<\/p>\n

Autumn is a good time for fruit harvests; <\/span><\/strong>beginning of
\ncitrus; acerola; guavas of all types, e.g., cherry and strawberry guavas; Ceylon
\nhill berry; bananas; pomegranate.
\n
\nWild harvesting<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nGuavas – we have found two types on side of road.
\nMushrooms though it does not seem a big season this year.
\nPecans – story of tree in neighbouring lane cut down.
\nMangoes – story of huge old trees cut down in three public carparks. We have
\nseveral seedlings of each growing in our gardens here as a rescue operation.<\/p>\n

During the show Jude and sister T were throwing around ideas for saving fruit trees and vines<\/strong><\/span> that are on public land, before they suddenly disappear due to development or old age.<\/p>\n

Possibilities :
\n* a map\/register of fruit bearing plants so they aren’t wasted\/annoy landowners\/council with fallen fruit
\n* a course as part of the ACE sustainability series on how to take cuttings\/seeds\/graft
\n* Jude will look at putting info on seedsavers site\/through local seed network
\n* cuttings\/fruit should be taken for propagation from plants that you know give great fruit, well before they are at risk
\n* us bellysisters would be happy to collate information on the www.belly.net.au site if you send it in, or link to any info
\n* please comment!
\n
\nGUEST RECIPES<\/strong><\/span> – from Jude<\/p>\n

GUAVA JELLY<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Cut up guavas roughly. Put them in a thick bottomed saucepan and add enough water to fill to one quarter the height of the guavas.
\nBoil twenty minutes to soften and bring out their juices.
\nPour all this mush (don’t mush it) into a muslin bag or pillow case or bank bag and hang with a shoestring (!) over a bowl to allow juice to drip out overnight.
\nDo not squeeze, cajole or in any other way interfere with the dripping process, or the juice will go murky.
\nWeigh the juice and pour into the same saucepan as before. Add equal (or less, say two thirds) weight in sugar.
\nBoil slowly until setting point. Ah ha! How is that achieved? How judged? The jam and jelly makers’ dilemma!
\nIt takes any time from 20 mins to an hour. It will take less time if you have put in a lot of sugar, and if you add pectin in the form of apple pips or Jamsetta.
\nIt will take more time if you put in a lot of water in the first process, or little sugar in the second.
\nTo test when you have reached setting point, take a cold plate and drip a bit of jelly on it. Let it cool and observe whether it is set by tipping it sideways.
\nBe careful at this point as setting point is reached fairly quickly.
\n
\nVEGAN PALAK PANEER<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Take any edible leaf that you normally use as spinach (i.e., cooked), such as
\nspinach, chicory (I used the prolific perennial spreading monk’s beard chicory),
\ndandelion, Brazilian spinach, farmers’ friends, other edible weeds – all called
\nhorta in real Greek spanikopita. Boil in plenty of water for a few minutes,
\ndrain and chop.
\nFry chopped eschallots, or if you have to, onions in olive oil or similar. And
\ngarlic if you like.
\nAdd more oil and some flour to make a roux.
\nAdd ground nuts (food processors do a good job) such as cashews, hazelnuts,
\nmacadamias or almonds.
\nAdd soya milk and\/ or water, stirring til smooth and cook a few minutes.
\nAdd salt and pepper and\/ or nutmeg.\u00a0 I then blend it all with a bamix.<\/p>\n

Recipe, or rather a treatment, for NON-TRADITIONAL PESTO<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Use any herb such as coriander, oregano (with others as it is a bit strong),
\nparsley or fennel.
\nUse any nut such as cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias or almonds ground in food
\nprocessor.
\nUse any tree oil, such as olive or macadamia.
\nNo need for parmesan cheese, garlic optional.<\/p>\n

CHOCOLATE FOR EASTER<\/strong><\/span>:<\/p>\n

Easter is named after Eostre, a version of Astarte\/Kali, the goddess of fertility and birth, worshipped\u00a0 at the spring equinox.\u00a0 Of course Easter is spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Christian missionaries often adopted pagan events as Christian holidays to increase acceptance of their god.<\/p>\n

Eggs are ancient symbols of fertility.\u00a0 In an Orphic myth, the goddess gave birth to a world egg – the 2 halves are heaven and earth, from the egg comes the god Eros – the bisexual god of love, the first ever surprise from an Easter egg – should keep everyone happy! The ancient Persians, the Chinese, many ancient cultures were also into eggs as a symbol of the new year starting in the spring.. And they were a forbidden food during Lent, so good reason to eat them when Lent is over. There are many Easter rituals associated with eggs, decorating, throwing, rolling or hiding them for kids to find.<\/p>\n

The Easter bunny or rabbit comes from the hare, another ancient, pre-Christian symbol of fertility associated with spring & the goddess. In one story the goddess Eostara changed her pet bird into a rabbit to entertain a group of children, and the rabbit laid brightly coloured eggs for them.<\/p>\n

And why are all these rabbits, eggs, chickens and bilbies now made of chocolate?\u00a0 Well, if you can make something out of chocolate – why wouldn’t you?\u00a0 This delicious development came much later though, in the 18th and 19th century when European confectionery geniuses were experimenting with their craft in many ways.<\/p>\n

Easter is also a great time for chocoholics to stage their own war on drugs by converting all their addictions to chocolate.<\/p>\n

Chocolate contains a variety of wonderful substances.\u00a0 So if you are hooked on:<\/p>\n

CAFFEINE <\/span>– chocolate can provide theobromine, chemically similar to caffeine.
\nPOT <\/span>– chocolate has anandamide – a cannabinoid which is also naturally produced in the human brain.
\nECSTASY<\/span> – party happy with tryptophan, an essential amino acid that is a precursor to Serotonin, an important neurotransmitter involved in regulating moods.\u00a0 This is the same way an E works.
\nSPEED<\/span> – in chocolate there is phenylethylamine,a neurotransmitter from which amphetamine is derived. Often described as a ‘love chemical’.\u00a0 The wonderful wikipedia, to which I owe the rigorous scientific research, says that “it is quickly metabolised by monoamine oxidase, so it has no effect on the central nervous system”.\u00a0 Well we know the answer to that problem don’t we?\u00a0 Eat more chocolate, faster.<\/p>\n

And remember, dark chocolate good for you – especially your circulation.<\/p>\n

The 12-step chocoholics program:
\nNEVER BE MORE THAN 12 STEPS AWAY FROM CHOCOLATE!
\nget the t-shirt if you like this motto, at virtualchocolate<\/a>, you will find lots of chocolate dipped quotes there too – many of these seem to have been copy\/pasted all over the chocoweb, but you’ll see why, they are delicious [maybe chocoholics can’t resist the instant gratification of grabbing these]:<\/p>\n

Twill make Old Women Young and Fresh; Create New Motions of the Flesh. And cause them long for you know what, If they but taste of chocolate.
\nfrom “A History of the Nature and Quality of Chocolate”, James Wadworth (1768-1844)<\/p>\n

Put “eat chocolate” at the top of your list of things to do today. That way, at least you’ll get one thing done.<\/p>\n

Don’t wreck a sublime chocolate experience by feeling guilty. Chocolate isn’t like premarital sex. It will not make you pregnant. And it always feels good. Lora Brody, author of Growing Up on the Chocolate Diet<\/p>\n

Life without chocolate is like a beach without water.<\/p>\n

“Las cosas claras y el chocolate espeso.” (Ideas\/things should be clear and chocolate thick.) Spanish proverb – and they should know, they have the best hot chocolate in the world – and churros, fried sugared dough to dip in bitter chocolate – perfect – good reason to visit the Spanish part of town<\/p>\n

Forget love– I’d rather fall in chocolate!!!<\/p>\n

If it ain’t chocolate, it ain’t breakfast!<\/p>\n

Money talks. Chocolate sings!<\/p>\n

If chocolate is the answer, the question is irrelevant.<\/p>\n

Once you consume chocolate, chocolate will consume you.<\/p>\n

“Exercise is a dirty word. Every time I hear it I wash my mouth out with chocolate.” ~ Charles M. Schultz peanuts cartoon<\/p>\n

Save the Earth! (It’s the only planet with chocolate.)<\/p>\n

CONTACTS <\/span><\/strong>:<\/p>\n

your bellysisters would love to hear from you – please leave a comment or send an email to belly@belly.net.au<\/p>\n

Seedsavers (also in the local phonebook) :<\/p>\n

PO Box 975, Byron Bay, NSW 2481, Australia,Tel (61) 02 6685 7560. Mobile 0432 549 825
\n02 6685 6624 is no longer in use.
\nSee Seed Savers’ extensive and interactive website: www.seedsavers.net <\/a><\/p>\n

Michel Fanton receives emails at michel@seedsavers.net<\/p>\n

General enquiries should be sent to\u00a0 info@seedsavers.net
\n
\nwww.virtualchocolate.com <\/a>– chocolate quotes, and chocoholic t-shirt<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

During the show Jude and sister T were throwing around ideas for saving fruit trees and vines that are on public land, before they suddenly disappear due to development or old age.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,33,25,12],"tags":[81,86,82,84,83,80,68,79,48,85],"class_list":["post-357","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-edible-quotes","category-radio-show-posts","category-tropical-fruits-more","category-wide-world-of-veg","tag-chocolate","tag-fruit-trees","tag-greens","tag-guava","tag-nuts","tag-pesto","tag-seedsavers","tag-vegan","tag-vegetarian","tag-wild-harvest"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.belly.net.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/357","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.belly.net.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.belly.net.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.belly.net.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.belly.net.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=357"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.belly.net.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/357\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":374,"href":"https:\/\/www.belly.net.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/357\/revisions\/374"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.belly.net.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=357"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.belly.net.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=357"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.belly.net.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=357"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}