The Week in Locavoria - Aug. 24, 2009
The big event last week was the Whole Foods Boycott. Libertarian CEO John Mackey, never a paragon of self control, lashed out at health care reform in an 1,200 word screed co-written by Lanny Davis entitled The Whole Foods Alternative to Obamacare, published in the Wall Street Journal on August 11, 2009. Among other things Mackey extolled the wonders of originalism ("a careful reading of both the declaration of independence and the constitution will not reveal any intrinsic right to health care") and suggested that people would be better off shopping at Whole Foods instead.
Ezra Klein goes to moot court in a spitting match with irritating bloggers over the nutritional value of organics. No word yet on how many angels can dance on a pin.
You may have heard that the White House garden has a lead problem. Back during the Clinton administration they sprayed sewage sludge over the White House grounds (yes, really) in some kind of PR stunt, and it poisoned the grounds with dangerous lead levels. Fast forward 16 years and suddenly the Obama's organic garden is in deep doo-doo. Fortunately, it looks like the problem's been fixed. In other news the President is talking about opening a farmer's market near the White House.
PBS aired a wonderful documentary on soil carbon sequestration called First Millimeter - Healing the Earth. The film follows farmers and conservationists on several continents who are reclaiming arable lands lost to poor 20th century land management.
The diary crisis, fueled by lower prices and shoppers avoiding pricier milk products like quality yogurts and cheeses, is finding new hope in niche markets like CSAs, locavoria and organics.
Seen at the Farmer's Market
This week we're still awash in blueberries, heirloom tomatoes, green beans, heck you name it. Even seeing the first crops of new potatoes.
Recipe of the Week - Whipped Cauliflower
Served like mashed potatoes, whipped cauliflower is a decadent delight, and a great way to get rid of that big head of cauliflower you don't know what to do with. It goes with just about everything and is simply delicious.
One head cauliflower
3-4 tablespoons unsalted butter
scant quarter cup heavy cream
scant teaspoon crushed garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
Lightly boil or steam the cauliflower, stems and all roughly chopped, for about two minutes or just until fork tender. Remove from the stove and drain in a colander removing as much water as you can. Transfer to a food processor. Add the garlic, butter, salt and pepper, then blend thoroughly, streaming in the cream until fluffy. Serves four.
Posted by LocaVori on August 24, 2009 at 9:54 a.m..
3 comments so far
On August 24, 2009, Kevin said:
Funny how the health care debate found its way into Vori.us ;-)
On August 24, 2009, joe said:
it's everywhere :)
On August 24, 2009, Kevin said:
Except on Obama's vacation ;)
