Staple crops…………..what are they? What should shine consistently in our daily lives? Well, when I think of staples, besides being handy office supplies, I think of plants which are plentiful and readily flourish and thrive, that can be stored efficiently and effectively, that can sustain and nourish a population. A certain plant comes to mind….one that grows so rapidly and ferociously, one may consider it a “weed”………in fact,it grows so readily, it is even used as a weed to get rid of invasive weeds!
HEMP! Cannabis sativa. A food, a fiber, a building material…a bird, a plane, a SUPERHERO! One of the fastest growing and earliest known domesticated plants in the world, this close relative of Cannabis indica provides countless benefits and does not contain THC, the pyschoactive compounds in it's sistah plant, Mary J, as these traits are not naturally selected for. Active in another sense, hemp is a sustainable crop, requiring few pesticides and zero herbicides in cultivating this “weed”—akin to the dandelion…no matter how hard you try, you will never get rid of those sunny blossoms that indicate the beginning of spring! (disclaimer: Dearest Dandies, we adore you...your leaves are a delicious bitter, while your blossoms make some fantastic fritters, not to mention dandelion wine..Thank you for your persistence..)! Interestingly enough, while China is the world's major producer of hemp, the United States is the biggest importer and grows the least amount of hemp in the world—ZERO ACRES-- since it is illegal to cultivate hemp in this country, as it is legally indistinguishable from marijuana.
We procure our Organic, Raw Hemp Seeds from Canada. A complete protein, Cannabis sativa contains all 21 known amino acids, including the 9 essential ones adult bodies cannot produce, contain anti-inflammatory properties, and are a delicious addition to salads, smoothies, baked goods, salad dressings, "hemp milk", and the list could go on and on... in this recipe for Hippie Hemp Loaf, hemp shines and adds an earthy element to Give Thanks!
Hippie Hempy Holiday Loaf with Raw Almond Gravy
ingredients:
1 cup millet, brown rice, and lentils + 9 cups water
2 bay leaves 1/2 cup Raw Hemp Seeds
1 cup whole grain breadcrumbs 1/2 cup Raw Almond Butter
3 T Cold-Pressed Hempseed Oil 2 onions, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced 1 1/2 cups winter squash, roasted (I used butternut) 1 1/2 cups mushrooms (I used chanterelles)
1 cup dry white wine
1 tsp. smoked paprika, oregano dill, and rosemary
1/2 bunch fresh parsley, chopped
to create: 1. Roast winter squash at 350 F for 30-45 minutes, until it can be pierced by a knife. Scoop out flesh, and reserve .
2. Pressure cook (or cook on stove) lentils, millet, and rice with bay leaves (time varies, cook until rice is cooked well).
3. Saute onions in Hempseed Oil on low flame, until they begin to sizzzzzle. (One of the best sounds in the world, no?) 4. Add garlic, squash, mushrooms, herbs, spices, and white wine. Cook until white wine is slightly evaporated, and the mixture is thicker...about 10 minutes.
5. In a separate bowl, combine Raw Almond Butter, breadcrumbs, and Raw Hempseeds.
6. Grease loaf pans, thoroughly combine all ingredients, press into loaf pans, cover with foil. Cook 35 minutes. 7. Uncover,cook 20-30 more minutes until golden and firm.
8. Let cool at least 15 minutes. 10. Serve with chopped parsley, and smother in Raw Almond Gravy. Recipe Below!
Raw Almond Gravy
ingredients:
1/2 cup Raw Almond Butter water
2 T tamari/shoyu
1 T miso (optional) 1 T maple syrup/honey (optional)
to create: 1. Whisk with enough water for a creamy consistency.