A Little TLC

I had rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world - George Washington

Watch as I carefully dissect this Chilli. Overkill? Perhaps, but this is not an ordinary chilli. This fruit, capsicum annuum,was personally liberated by me from the garden on the extensive grounds of Mount Vernon - the estate of the Father of our Country.

Yes, a chilli stolen from land once trod upon by George Washington, soil tilled by George Washington's slaves, visited and fertilized by notables of the Colonial Period.

Was this plant around when George and Martha lived there? Of  course not. But I picked it at Mount Frakking Vernon. Carefully air-dried it. Left it neglected in plain sight until today I decided to plant it.

I hope it grows. It'll make a cool hot sauce to gift.

What's In A Name?

I remember that I admired them from first moment I heard of their enterprise. I remember that when I first tasted their product it was love at first bite. The most important thing, is that I remember exactly where it was that I became friends with the two entrepreneurs behind Lloyd the Taco Truck. It was a fundraiser for them, after their truck broke down shortly after they opened. 

It was very clear from the start of the event that they were in the weeds. Too many locals showed up to support them.  Along with Buffalo music legend Nelson Starr, I stepped into help them out. Nothing has been the same since. 

This afternoon while walking through a local market perusing hot sauces, a pale green label caught me eye. Lloyd's soon to be famous Rocket Sauce is now available day and night.  Of course, I had to buy two bottles for myself - one for the display and one to taste. 

The taste was as I remembered it, unsullied by the bottling process. Then I read the label. To my dismay it listed chilis (sic) as an ingredient.

The fruit of the genus Capsicum is a Chile, though my preference is Chilli which is closer to the original nahuatl and avoids confusion with the Country. Chili refers to a stew of meat and chillies, whilst Pepper is something you put in a pepper-mill. Chilies (on the Lloyd website) is right out.

I realize that some authorities suggest otherwise.  They are wrong.

You may now go back to your bars, your temples, your massage parlors . . .  I hope our friendship will survive.