My youngest sister, Elizabeth, just got back from a month long stay in Ecuador, after a school year's worth of preparation with the Pangea project. She learned about the small communities who are in an ongoing lawsuit with big oil companies that are dumping in their waters, spent time in the capital city, Quito, as well as staying with a host family in Yungilla, learned about the organic practices the local farmers use, but the most important thing - she brought me back a bunch of awesome stuff! (Just kidding! Sort of.)
She brought back some strawberry and blackberry jam, but saved the "weird" ones for me - thanks! She knows me well ;). The orange one is a marmalade made with uvilla, or Cape gooseberry as it is called in South Africa where they began cultivating it in the 1800s. It is very sweet and almost has a syrupy consistency, perfect with Earth Balance on toast! The second one says it is a preserve of chigualcan, some kind of fruit that I can't find any mention of on the internets. My sister says it reminded her of star fruit. These preserves are not as sweet and remind me a little of pear... I think they deserve a more savory accompaniment than toast. Any ideas?
She also brought me back some organic, fair trade, shade grown coffee that is only available for purchase in Ecuador! I love coffee and sustainability, so this is perfect for me. The bags are even hand-woven by local women! I'm so excited about this coffee that I can't get myself to open the friggen' bag and try it... hopefully blogging about will force me to take the plunge. And take a picture to remember it by! My other gifts are a vegan soap, handmade red and black earrings (Radical Cheerleading colors, baby!), and a beautiful multicolored shawl. Yay!
Elizabeth with her host family
