Pasta Tip:
How to preserve the extra
Plus a whole lot of pest talk
How to preserve the extra
Plus a whole lot of pest talk
This is what the perfect pasta dough looks like. Granular until you knead it.
This is a walnut filling. I pureed lightly roasted walnuts, , olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, parmesean cheese, and a a couple tablespoons yogurt and some hot water all together to make this paste.
This post is mostly about nature. This post is not really about food. I just wanted to share the pretty pictures of my walnut raviolis. I have been making lots of pasta lately because I love pasta and it's easy to make from scratch. I will share a tip with you: fresh pasta freezes particularly well. In fact, I was not that pleased with my pasta drying experiments last year, the texture wasn't as pleasing when reconstituted, but the frozen pasta is as good as fresh when cooked. So I am now freezing extra batches of it. I love my freezer.The person I referred to last week in my Master Gardening class report as wearing doubleknit...remember that?...I will refer to her as "DD" from now on, short for Doubleknit Disaster. This person both horrifies and fascinates me. She glares at everyone, she has absolutely zero people skills, she has no interest in getting to know anyone, she has no smile, no sense of play, and whenever anyone in class is speaking she turns her squenched up snarly stare at them. Partly the open mouthed critical stare is squinty because she obviously can't see very far, but it's the exact same look she flashes at anyone who has committed the horrible crime of making a peep while a teacher is talking.
Yesterday we all had the supreme surprise of being told (as a class) to "SHUT UP!!!" by the dear DD. It fairly stunned the entire room including the teacher.
I think of gardeners as mostly curious, creative, wonderfully geeky, people with a great sense of childlike fun. I wouldn't call myself very child-like, nor would I try to convince you that I am a super fun person...but I do have a sense of humor and I do get childishly excited about things like new buds on plants. I'm not that serious of a person. I light up when I see interesting bugs or plants in the garden. Most gardeners I've had the pleasure to know, even if they take their gardening on the serious side, have smiles and a warmth that you can feel when you're sitting in close proximity to them.
DD has no inner warmth. I have the misfortune of sitting directly behind her bullish back and I thought mean thoughts. I'm not proud of myself. We have all been in class now for one month together. People I originally thought were sour have warmed under the glow of companionship and awkwardness has dissolved as we all have a chance to come out of our shells. Most of the people in the class have something good to recommend them. Something warm about them, or interesting, something quirky, or personable. The only one who's making enemies (not just me!) is DD.
There is always someone in a class like that, isn't there?
Before I go on I have to tell you all that our offer on the farmhouse was ACCEPTED!!!!! I'm not going to report a lot of details about the whole transaction because I'm superstitious and until we have the keys in hand I don't want to mess anything up. There are some spiritual questions hanging in the balance right now as well. If everything goes through and we get to move into this farmhouse I will feel that I have been accepted back into the embrace of a kinder universe than I have been experiencing for the last couple of years. If it falls through I will be struggling with the acute feeling that I am being cruelly picked on. For now I will just say that things are falling into place with unusual grace and ease and I hope it continues because I'm feeling somewhat blessed at the moment.
I have some thoughts now to share on the whole question of "natives" versus "non-natives". Of all the invasive non-natives I can think of that are right now taking over this continent, I can think of none worse or more damaging than us. Yes, us. Oh, not you people who are pure native Americans...but how many of you are "pure" native Americans? Seriously... we had a talk yesterday about vertebrate pests and how to control them. The whole time there was question of the native versus non-native pests and I thought it was interesting that we are supposed to be worried right now about preserving our native squirrels who are getting out-bred by the sturdier non-native grey squirrel. Both are capable of doing the same damage to homes and trees but because one variety is now in a decline we are supposed to view it as a precious pest while the other one we are encouraged to shoot and eat* as many of them as we can.
The concern, among naturalists of all kinds, is that native varieties of plants and animals are going extinct because of stronger "introduced" varieties that are able to withstand the environment better and breed faster stronger strains of themselves.
Hello, has anyone ever heard of DARWIN? Survival of the fittest is a very important evolutionary concept and just because us humans are capable of offering some controls on this phenomenon, and equally as capable of helping to spread some of this Darwinian action doesn't actually mean that it is something we're meant to control. We are as much a part of that evolutionary action as every other part of nature.
Whether or not humans share plants across oceans or not, in our native habitats there are stronger varieties of native plants and animals out-breeding more delicate native varieties right under our noses. Before the rabid Europeans came and wiped out lots of native Americans with their syphallis and scarlet fever, the different native American tribes were duking things out amongst themselves with no help from non-natives. Back in Europe the same fighting was constantly taking place amongst it's natives.
So who should we be shooting and eating amongst ourselves?
I say no one. I believe that there is more strength and beauty in natural hybridizing**. I think that people are forgetting that just as some plants are making themselves into "pests" and forcing others into extinction, there are new varieties being created as well in this giant stew pot of life called planet earth.
Another thing I couldn't help thinking about was how we are calling all these animals pests because they annoy us and get in the way of our own plans. If there is a gopher in my yard eating all my plants I think of it as a pest and certainly I will do what I can to fight it off and if necessary I might even kill it. So I'm not setting myself apart here, but it did occur to me that the greatest pest on the entire planet is the species we like to refer to as OURSELVES.
So while I will fight for my own little patch of dirt and I will try to keep other wild things from settling there and destroying what I value, I also have to kind of respect the fact that one's point of view is the only difference between us all.
When it comes to nature and survival I'd say that all beings on this planet, from human beings down to one celled creatures, are striving for the same things. Who's a pest and who's dinner and who's losing the evolutionary battle, and who's winning are all just a matter of perspective. The vole wants the same things I do. Which is why I find it hard to kill other beings. I've done it, I will probably do it again at some point, but every time I do it feels a little bit like killing some part of myself. I can't say I feel guilty about yanking carrots out of the dirt and bringing them to my plate with butter salt and pepper, but I do feel the weight of life for life. I eat life in order to have life. Every being on earth does.
It's weighty, but not impossible to live with. I think when you are guided by that kind of knowledge you can make more merciful and more thoughtful decisions. I have planted a butterfly bush in my yard here and only recently found out that it's now considered an invasive plant. But what is the real harm? It feeds the beneficials, it's beautiful, it's strong, and so it thrives. Why should I hate it just because it's comfortable here? So am I.
How long before I'm considered a native? How many generations of plant or animal matter does it take to become "native"? Doesn't native refer to what is born here? Created here? I was born here, doesn't that make me native now too?
As far as I can see the whole planet is made up of layers of nativity, the old, the new, the established, the wandering seeds, the rooted, and those blown by the wind. The earth is changing because of humans, but let's not get all arrogant about it- the earth has been going through constant changes since it first fostered life. I don't see it mattering whether you think God made us all or that everything was made by a felicitous congruence of elements able to ignite life, the earth has been in a constant state of shuffling and drastic weather changes and life forms have been coming and going along with those changing conditions. If the planet survives human trash and breeding then the life that's left will continue to muscle it's way through the changing conditions, by mutating, evolving, dying out, being born.
I think we should worry less about native versus non-native and work harder to diminish our own pesty contamination of the planet by making less trash, cleaning up our own chemical trash, cease the use of pesticides that are so dangerous they have impaired the reproductive abilities of our own species*** (and probably the reproductive function in "native" species of other animals we value as well). Let's be the squirrel we want to shoot. Don't like the way it can rip through your roof and live in your attic where it will chew up your wires and catch your house on fire? How about not destroying the natural dams that beavers build?
Let's be the change we want to see in our list of "pests".
*OK, not literally.
**Remember that natural hybridizing is not at all the same thing as building pesticides right into plant or people matter. When plants or people mix genetic information in nature there are a trillion different variations on a theme, more diversity, and better strength. When humans mess with genetics in labs and cross species information that nature herself is not capable of crossing then we have a huge mess. Putting chicken genes in tomatoes is not a safe or acceptable combination. Do not be confused by the two very different methods of hybridizing. When you mix Russian and Native American genes you often get better vigor, more beautiful people, but if you mixed your own genetic material with a sheep...would you think that was safe and natural?
So always ask yourself that. Would you mix your people genes with non-human genes? Do you think anything good can come of mixing species like that? What if you could mix your own genes with the genes of a tomato?
***DDT has been shown to disable reproductive function in human beings. Proven fact. It's why it's illegal in our country now. But it's still living in our bodies and in our land, in case any of you didn't know that.
Yesterday we all had the supreme surprise of being told (as a class) to "SHUT UP!!!" by the dear DD. It fairly stunned the entire room including the teacher.
I think of gardeners as mostly curious, creative, wonderfully geeky, people with a great sense of childlike fun. I wouldn't call myself very child-like, nor would I try to convince you that I am a super fun person...but I do have a sense of humor and I do get childishly excited about things like new buds on plants. I'm not that serious of a person. I light up when I see interesting bugs or plants in the garden. Most gardeners I've had the pleasure to know, even if they take their gardening on the serious side, have smiles and a warmth that you can feel when you're sitting in close proximity to them.
DD has no inner warmth. I have the misfortune of sitting directly behind her bullish back and I thought mean thoughts. I'm not proud of myself. We have all been in class now for one month together. People I originally thought were sour have warmed under the glow of companionship and awkwardness has dissolved as we all have a chance to come out of our shells. Most of the people in the class have something good to recommend them. Something warm about them, or interesting, something quirky, or personable. The only one who's making enemies (not just me!) is DD.
There is always someone in a class like that, isn't there?
Before I go on I have to tell you all that our offer on the farmhouse was ACCEPTED!!!!! I'm not going to report a lot of details about the whole transaction because I'm superstitious and until we have the keys in hand I don't want to mess anything up. There are some spiritual questions hanging in the balance right now as well. If everything goes through and we get to move into this farmhouse I will feel that I have been accepted back into the embrace of a kinder universe than I have been experiencing for the last couple of years. If it falls through I will be struggling with the acute feeling that I am being cruelly picked on. For now I will just say that things are falling into place with unusual grace and ease and I hope it continues because I'm feeling somewhat blessed at the moment.
I have some thoughts now to share on the whole question of "natives" versus "non-natives". Of all the invasive non-natives I can think of that are right now taking over this continent, I can think of none worse or more damaging than us. Yes, us. Oh, not you people who are pure native Americans...but how many of you are "pure" native Americans? Seriously... we had a talk yesterday about vertebrate pests and how to control them. The whole time there was question of the native versus non-native pests and I thought it was interesting that we are supposed to be worried right now about preserving our native squirrels who are getting out-bred by the sturdier non-native grey squirrel. Both are capable of doing the same damage to homes and trees but because one variety is now in a decline we are supposed to view it as a precious pest while the other one we are encouraged to shoot and eat* as many of them as we can.
The concern, among naturalists of all kinds, is that native varieties of plants and animals are going extinct because of stronger "introduced" varieties that are able to withstand the environment better and breed faster stronger strains of themselves.
Hello, has anyone ever heard of DARWIN? Survival of the fittest is a very important evolutionary concept and just because us humans are capable of offering some controls on this phenomenon, and equally as capable of helping to spread some of this Darwinian action doesn't actually mean that it is something we're meant to control. We are as much a part of that evolutionary action as every other part of nature.
Whether or not humans share plants across oceans or not, in our native habitats there are stronger varieties of native plants and animals out-breeding more delicate native varieties right under our noses. Before the rabid Europeans came and wiped out lots of native Americans with their syphallis and scarlet fever, the different native American tribes were duking things out amongst themselves with no help from non-natives. Back in Europe the same fighting was constantly taking place amongst it's natives.
So who should we be shooting and eating amongst ourselves?
I say no one. I believe that there is more strength and beauty in natural hybridizing**. I think that people are forgetting that just as some plants are making themselves into "pests" and forcing others into extinction, there are new varieties being created as well in this giant stew pot of life called planet earth.
Another thing I couldn't help thinking about was how we are calling all these animals pests because they annoy us and get in the way of our own plans. If there is a gopher in my yard eating all my plants I think of it as a pest and certainly I will do what I can to fight it off and if necessary I might even kill it. So I'm not setting myself apart here, but it did occur to me that the greatest pest on the entire planet is the species we like to refer to as OURSELVES.
So while I will fight for my own little patch of dirt and I will try to keep other wild things from settling there and destroying what I value, I also have to kind of respect the fact that one's point of view is the only difference between us all.
When it comes to nature and survival I'd say that all beings on this planet, from human beings down to one celled creatures, are striving for the same things. Who's a pest and who's dinner and who's losing the evolutionary battle, and who's winning are all just a matter of perspective. The vole wants the same things I do. Which is why I find it hard to kill other beings. I've done it, I will probably do it again at some point, but every time I do it feels a little bit like killing some part of myself. I can't say I feel guilty about yanking carrots out of the dirt and bringing them to my plate with butter salt and pepper, but I do feel the weight of life for life. I eat life in order to have life. Every being on earth does.
It's weighty, but not impossible to live with. I think when you are guided by that kind of knowledge you can make more merciful and more thoughtful decisions. I have planted a butterfly bush in my yard here and only recently found out that it's now considered an invasive plant. But what is the real harm? It feeds the beneficials, it's beautiful, it's strong, and so it thrives. Why should I hate it just because it's comfortable here? So am I.
How long before I'm considered a native? How many generations of plant or animal matter does it take to become "native"? Doesn't native refer to what is born here? Created here? I was born here, doesn't that make me native now too?
As far as I can see the whole planet is made up of layers of nativity, the old, the new, the established, the wandering seeds, the rooted, and those blown by the wind. The earth is changing because of humans, but let's not get all arrogant about it- the earth has been going through constant changes since it first fostered life. I don't see it mattering whether you think God made us all or that everything was made by a felicitous congruence of elements able to ignite life, the earth has been in a constant state of shuffling and drastic weather changes and life forms have been coming and going along with those changing conditions. If the planet survives human trash and breeding then the life that's left will continue to muscle it's way through the changing conditions, by mutating, evolving, dying out, being born.
I think we should worry less about native versus non-native and work harder to diminish our own pesty contamination of the planet by making less trash, cleaning up our own chemical trash, cease the use of pesticides that are so dangerous they have impaired the reproductive abilities of our own species*** (and probably the reproductive function in "native" species of other animals we value as well). Let's be the squirrel we want to shoot. Don't like the way it can rip through your roof and live in your attic where it will chew up your wires and catch your house on fire? How about not destroying the natural dams that beavers build?
Let's be the change we want to see in our list of "pests".
*OK, not literally.
**Remember that natural hybridizing is not at all the same thing as building pesticides right into plant or people matter. When plants or people mix genetic information in nature there are a trillion different variations on a theme, more diversity, and better strength. When humans mess with genetics in labs and cross species information that nature herself is not capable of crossing then we have a huge mess. Putting chicken genes in tomatoes is not a safe or acceptable combination. Do not be confused by the two very different methods of hybridizing. When you mix Russian and Native American genes you often get better vigor, more beautiful people, but if you mixed your own genetic material with a sheep...would you think that was safe and natural?
So always ask yourself that. Would you mix your people genes with non-human genes? Do you think anything good can come of mixing species like that? What if you could mix your own genes with the genes of a tomato?
***DDT has been shown to disable reproductive function in human beings. Proven fact. It's why it's illegal in our country now. But it's still living in our bodies and in our land, in case any of you didn't know that.
