Banish Plastic

[ina]

The main argument for the use of so much plastic in wrapping fruit and veg is, of course, that it will keep longer and incur less damage during transport. And that has to be taken into consideration. As long as we don't have the local production and distribution that we'd all like, how much more produce would go to waste if it wasn't so well wrapped? And even with local production, as in veg boxes etc, it does have to be protected during transport. I worked for a veg box farm for several years, and I know that paper bags simply don't work for everything. Don't keep salads fresh, go soggy etc. Ideally we would all produce our own in our own gardens, right outside the door...

[Weedo]

Rejoice all, I have found (rediscovered?) a substitute for cling film.

Glazing for Tongues
To make a good glazing for tongues, boil a shin of beef with a couple of calves feet or a knuckle of veal in about 6 quarts of water. Season to taste and boil until reduced to 1 quart. Place the glazing into a jar, tie securely over the top of jar a piece of bladder, and it will keep for a long time. When require for use, paint glazing on with a brush.

from The Butchers Guide and Farmers Companion by William Dunstan, Melbourne 1898

The again, perhaps not - it is interesting to note though how little wastage there was in butchering those days. This little book describes everthing from smoke curing to making brines through to making the pastry for meat pies

[Green Aura]

I see two problems
1) where on earth do you get a bladder from these days
2) not great for our vegan contingent

Otherwise I'm up for it.

[ina]

I think even the calves feet and knuckle of veal would be difficult to get these days...