Preserving Party

For those who know me, food preservation is high up on my personal interest list. I love canning. There is something about spending half the day in the kitchen, drinking good coffee, slicing fruit, and chatting about nothing.

Here in the ‘Baijan, food preservation is a way of life. No, it’s the only way of life. Unlike America, Azerbaijanis don’t eat food when they’re not in season. If it ain’t growin, it ain’t bein’ eaten.

For local folks, this isn’t a big problem. Every family has a pantry full of preserved food. Compotes, jams, pickled tomatoes, you name, an Azer-family gots it. Unfortunately, for PCVs, seasonal foods is a big problem. When it’s not summer, most PCVs rely on multivitamins to get their daily dose of nutrients.

Me, of course, had the great idea of throwing a “Preserving Party”. A dozen or so manats later, I am sitting in my ridiculously hot kitchen, waiting for my make-shift hot water canner to get a-boiling. Needless to say, I am excited and scared at the same time. What does botulism feel like?

Meet Donny (He's Leaving)

A veteran who loves experimenting in the kitchen (we are talking Dude Delight), can scan Nascar highlights while simultaneously reading current events, and out hikes even the most dedicated naturalist, D-Man is the man. Not only was he the pioneering YD Volunteer in Zaq, but he is also my bestie, my go-to-guy, my I’m-having-a-really-crappy-day-and-you-brightened-it-by-making-spaghetti friend.

And he is leaving.

Yup. D is going back to America. Not only is his time up, but I think D is ready for a new challenge. He’s mastered Az and now it is on to bigger and better things (like overcoming post office patiencelessness and mailing me a box).

Bye D. I am already missing you.

How Well Do You Know Your PCV?

What should you send a PCV?

A. A set of guitar strings
B. A tub of high fructose corn syrup Jiffy Peanut Butter
C. A homemade beer tasting kit
D. All of the above (and throw in some extra dark, orange flavored chocolate)

If you chose D, then you know me...but what about your PCV? Sending packages to PCVs is hard. There are tons of weird, unsaid rules:

Don't send useless crap (it is useless and we we feel bad throwing it into the mismanaged trash pile).
Send pesto packets, taco seasoning, curry mixes - but only the ones I like.
Don't send risqué magazines or books. It makes us look bad (and they will probably be confiscated).
Send vacuum sealed tuna and salmon and throw in a couple handfuls of beef jerky.
Don't send seeds. They will be confiscated.
I really did not need that ginormous sweater you sent, even though I wear it everyday.

Confused yet? When in doubt, send something we can't get here, we can eat, and we can share with friends.

Thanks for the kit Sara!