Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Downtimes Mixed With Days of Wonder

Many of us here in Brooklyn still have access to our corner store bodegas.  Almost unrecognizable at this point, most have turned from the stinky, old fruit and bad chips brand variety into amazing green vegetable markets, carrying impossibly diverse products as well as the finest, freshest produce. I've been sending the mule while I'm in quarantine to fetch goods but I wonder what we are doing to protect and accommodate the Central Americans and Mexicans working incredibly long hours in the most unprotected conditions?   Same for their mainly Asian counterparts working the cash registers to unending lines from early mornings into late at night.  They haven't changed their routine, this is always how hard they've worked but when you're not working and safe in your apartment, you consider them further.  We must protect our doctors and nurses, policeman and fire fighters first and foremost but in a time like this, those folks are in better shape if something bad should happen to them.  We rely on these hard workers equally in this time.  They may be uninsured, poorly paid and are taking the chance bringing this home to their families everyday.  They must work, in a worse way than say me and P, or my record store friends that may be out of jobs soon.  We're all in a pickle, but some more than others.
What's it been old friend, 25 years?  You taste as good as I remember.  Make the pandemic fun by eating foods you haven't gone near in years. 
In just the last days, we've noticed the Asians have taken to finally wearing masks but the produce guys are bare faced and gloveless, continually working in a very tight, super crowded space.  It would be impossible to carry out the six foot rule unless they begin a line system, which could be a good idea starting now.  I almost feel this is time to tip these workers, as you would and will the delivery take out guys to help supplement their income during this time and, you know, for freaking being awesome in time of crisis.

I've had a bag of greens go bad this week, so my choices are sturdier today.  Sweet potatoes, apples and cabbage instead of my regular avocado, tomatoes and cilantro that I would purchase in a normal world.


Charred bean & burger lettuce dogs
These are not burnt but got charred due to adding my leftover mashed Chipotle pinto beans to a lb of ground beef, chopped red bell pepper, garlic & onion. The sugars from the saucy beans provides the smoky char.   I fried them up into long tubes like hot dogs so it would be easier to eat on Romaine lettuce spoons.  I have a few left and the second portion I'm baking into a tiny meatloaf.  Flatten that curve and Stretch that food! 
Baked fries

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