Hey, ya Fork-a-maniacs! We keep eating raspberries and whipped cream, and it's mainly because someone told us that Tina Fey once said something about how you can just eat that stuff forever and ever and it's a smart plan. While we realize we could easily look that up, we didn't do that because we want to assume it's true and that's just how we're living now. But because we keep eating raspberries and whipped cream, it occurred to us that it's been a minute since we did a good old-fashioned and in no way jokey fact/history lesson about something—so here it is, baby!
Raspberries are freaking roses, technically? Who knew? Probably botanists and people like that, but we're still thrilled to learn that. That means that it's weirdly semi-related to fruit like apples and plums and cherries and blackberries, and it's still kind of our favorite out of all those things, and not just because our dead grandma used to call us "raspberry."
And they're not even technically a berry. We've learned in our fact-finding travels that berries almost always come from a single ovary, but raspberries come from a single flower with anywhere up to 150 ovaries, meaning that each little guy on a raspberry (called a drupelet) is technically it's own thing. IT IS A CLUSTER, MAN!
We've also learned that if we eat a cup of raspberries we get about six grams of fiber, which is a pretty good amount for an aging Fork and which enhances our Metamucil intake greatly. They're also packed with vitamin C.
Weirdly, though, they stop ripening after they get picked. Isn't that weird? We're not saying they won't get mealy or go bad, but it's not really the same thing as, say, an apple, which gets mushy as fuck before you know it.
Also wild? In certain times throughout history, artists have created inks and paints with raspberry juice, which might explain why we're always out there licking Medieval texts and artworks. And though folks have eaten them since the dawn of folks, it wasn't until the 18th century that some other folks started cultivating them for mass production. This spread throughout Europe and now we're over here totally housing those bad boys with whipped cream any chance we get.
California, Oregon and Washington now grow the most raspberries, though they pop up in the wild all over the place because time and distance mean nothing to plants and fruits. With over 200 varieties out there, it's maybe a little sad that we only get, like, that one kind, usually, but we asked a botanist we know if it was possible to grow your own varieties in New Mexico, and he said "I guess, though you'd probably have to do a greenhouse for best results—and how did you get this number?" We also learned that most raspberries are frozen pretty dang soon after they're picked, and that's OK...like, no one needs to act like that's a weird thing like they do with fish (all fish is frozen, too, so shut up).
Raspberries with whipped cream is a very good snack. Just saying.
A song called "Go All the Way" by the band The Raspberries
We're always going all the way.
Also
- We just so happened to be in the downtown area and run into chef Paddy Rawal as he's working to open his new spot Tulsi. He's very excited about the menu and says he's tired, but it's worth it. If you didn't read last week's Fork, know that Rawal is moving into the spot that formerly housed Mucho Gusto Mexican restaurant. Wrrd.
- File this one under we wish we knew sooner, but Canyon Road eatery El Farol has partnered with local nonprofit Creative Santa Fe to host a dinner to raise a couple bucks for CrSF's Catalyst Fund, which it uses for programs like Santa Fe Reads (a partnership with the library that is precisely what it sounds like—the town reading) and to advance the mission of moving arts. This special dinner is prix fixe, and goes down on Nov. 21, which is the same day this Fork first drops. Naturally, it comes with a flamenco show. To sign up and/or learn more, click this link, and we apologize if anyone misses out due to the last-minute nature of our telling you this information.
- Mark your calendars again for the upcoming first-ever New Mexico Winter Spirits Festival at the Santa Fe Farmers Market Pavilion. Come Dec. 14, you'll find tastings from 15 NM wineries, breweries and distilleries, plus charcuterie tastings and general revelry. Click here for more info and tickets. This item might look a lot like one from last week, which it is; we're feeling guilty about not having a long lead-time for info on that other event, so here's this.
A clip of Chuck Berry playing with John Lennon and Yoko Ono
While we honestly think much of the Yoko Ono hate is rooted in misogyny, this clip of Chuck Berry being pissed about her screaming is objectively very funny.
More Tidbits
- In case you missed it, the FDA has issued a recall of organic and baby carrots from around the country because of a multi-state E.coli outbreak. If you've got those things, take heed! For more info, click here.
- Food & Wine-dot-com has a very readable piece on RFK Jr. and why his very existence within government is baffling. Why is this info in a food newsletter? Because he wants us to be healthy again, whatever that means. Let us hope he doesn't become the secretary of anything except shutting the hell up.
- Can vegans eat McDonald's apple pie? Website Chowhound-dot-com set out to find answers for that very question. Their results might astound you. Just kidding, man. We know a bunch of vegans and they're not going to McDonald's anyway. If you simply must, learn more here.
- In who-cares news, juice company Tropicana recently redesigned its somehow iconic OJ bottle, and fans are reportedly pissed because the cap changed. Imagine caring that much about a cap, right? Anyway, the cap used to be a crown, now it's just, like a cap. We'd imagine this will not harm anyone in any way, and we think orange juice is too acidic to begin with, so everyone should probably just get real already.
A totally scientific breakdown of The Fork's correspondence
In this week's print edition of SFR, fall in love with ramen at REMIX Audio Bar (we hear it's crazy-good).
Number of Letters Received: 22
*The age we were when we first got kissed.
Most Helpful Tip of the Week (a barely edited letter from a reader):
"Please unsubscribe me."
*We don't run your email, shit!
Actually Helpful Tip(s):
"Some try to put lipstick on a pig but let's face it 5 Guys is a fast food place, although one with peanuts. Well a fast food place where a simple order of a cheeseburger, large fries and a soft drink cost you almost $17 is just stupid. If I want to get ripped off on a burger I'll just go to a fancy downtown SF hotel dining room. At least I get a little atmosphere and an actual waiter. And Texas tourists to make fun of."
Reader Bob M makes a real strong point. REAL strong.
"Whole Hog is taking orders on smoked turkeys for Thanksgiving."
Suzanne W is helping you dorks out big time!
Berry tired,
The Fork
