August 21, 2009 | reviews
A sign that would disappoint Papa Hemingway
We don’t normally recommend books by other authors, in fact, we never have but being pro quid pro quo we thought we’d give it a go here.
For those of you who are concerned about the plight of the world’s oceans, including the poor creatures referred to in this sign (left), please check out Taras Grescoe’s Bottomfeeder: How to Eat Ethically in a World of Vanishing Seafood.
The book, as you might have guessed after playing ‘word association’ with its title, focuses on over-fishing and the very serious consequences this has globally and it is a work that might make you pause, mid tuna sashimi gorge and have you opting for something that scours the sea bottom or walks on all fours instead.
Grescoe is a thoughtful and gifted author and we also recommend, while we’re on the subject and awaiting a free signed copy of it to land on our desk, The Devil’s Picnic: Travels Through the Underworld of Food and Drink, which might disappoint backpackers who’ve lugged green stuff back from the Czech Republic that looks like what barbers use to clean combs and passing it off as absinthe, but will likely thrill everyone else. The book comprises “prohibited pleasures of the palette”, from the probably not too pleasurable Spanish bull testicles (it’s a Spanish dish, not specifically referring to the nationality of the bull, though it’s likely Spanish too) to Norwegian moonshine and Peruvian coca leaf tea. Basically, it’s what would be on the Food Network if we were show producers.
Grescoe would have a field day down here in Louisiana. The Cajun folk, as you may have heard, will eat just about anything; just pout on a pot of rice and go to town.
And don’t forget, consuming road kill is one way to preserve wildlife. Hell, even PETA gives the practice their seal of approval!