seattlejo.com

On Saturday I had the opportunity to represent the Seattle Free School at the “Strengthening Local Economies Everywhere” event held by the Community Alliance for Global Justice. They had contacted the Free School for tabling and asked if anyone would be up for teaching a workshop or two. I volunteered my meal planning workshop and a new one I’ve created on coffee certification. They accepted and in return  I was a guest at their dinner afterward

I arrived at St Demtrios Church early, and picked out a spot in the shade for our table. Waiting for Jessica and Dani, the other Free School folks, to arrive I wandered around helping out a bit. I helped one of the  event volunteers, Molly , rearrange tables and just kind of hung out helping as needed.

The other Free School folks showed up and  We set up our booth. I had a list of current classes, they brought signs to show who we were.

Between workshops I was able to talk to people to explain what the Free School is and encourage them to attend and teach. My coffee certification talk was a little nerve wracking because it was the first one I had been to and 2 of the people who came were pretty near experts on the issue, but they were supportive and in the end it was well received. (I have an idea of what I need to remake in the material so I can offer it again)

I hemmed and hawed about attending the dinner. Dani the other Free School person wasn’t going to, and I felt a little bit like the odd man out since I didn’t know anyone.
I’ve felt this push lately to do stuff, you know get out participate, experience whats going on. I spend a lot of time thinking of stuff, planning stuff, and writing about stuff, but I spend a disproportionate amount of time doing stuff. I’m trying to fix that

So I went into the dinner, not sure what to expect. I arrived the first at my table and sat, apprehensive. Very shortly  a very nice woman came over and asked if she could join me. I agreed and we began to chatter. Turns out she was Molly, the volunteers, grandma. She didnt know anyone else there so we spent our time chattering.

The keynote speeches &  dinner reminded me a bit of a socialist potluck I went to once. Lots of “We’re in this together” complete with singing, and a side of great food.   My beliefs are  not necessarily aligned with everything the organization stands for, but they’ve got some ideas on food sustainability that I support and I’ll keep an eye on their progress.

Great food? Oh yeah, here is one example.  As Joan and I sat talking appetizers started arriving. One woman went around the room with a big metal tray. She reached in with a gloved hand and piled a bunch of greens in the center of the tableclot. Without a plate.

What in the world ? I asked  what it was.
“Oh it’s Kale, eat it, it’s soo good. ”
Joan and I looked at each other skeptically then dug in.

Turns out it was roasted kale, and it was one  of the best things for dinner that night. (Competing with rum cake, and salmon.) Anyway, here is a recipe for it, do try this at home and tell me what you think.

Roasted Kale

1 bunch of kale
olive oil
coarse sea salt

Warm oven to 350

Wash Kale and pull the leaves off the thick center stems. Toss with olive oil.

Spread on a tray and roast for 5 minutes.
Flip, then roast another 10-15.

Salt as it comes out, and eat.

Some will be soft and cooked, some will be crunchy and crisp. In the end, its all good.