Peppers
I made this wooden cutting board for my sister after a conversation about telling "veggie" cutting boards from "meat" cutting boards. My sister is a vegetarian with meatetarian roommates so it seemed like she should have a dedicated cutting board.
The BEST part (in my opinion) is the fact that I mailed it as-is. No box, no wrapping. I woodburned her address on the back (with a soldering iron so don't knock the penmanship), affixed postage and dropped it in the mail. Hers was a test run and it arrived safe and sound--ready to wash and use.
I have enough wood glued up to make two more of these so I thought I'd send one for my next round of Pay it Forward. I'm heading out on vacation for a week so, leave a comment before I get back (next Saturday) and you'll be in the running.
And as a consolation prize since, unfortunately, you might not win, a recipe (the obsession with food preserving continues--I just took pickles out of the hot water bath):
Jalapeno Jam (adapted from this recipe)
1 large (or 2 small) green bell peppers
15 fresh, medium size jalapenos
1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar
pinch salt
5 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1 bag liquid pectin (about 3 oz)
Remove stems from jalapenos and remove seeds from all but 4 of them. Very finely chop jalapenos, bell pepper and some vinegar in a food processor (use gloves with the jalapenos!). Dump puree and remaining vinegar in a non reactive (non metal) pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.
Stir in sugar and salt and bring to a hard boil over medium-high heat. Boil one minute stirring constantly then turn off heat and immediately add pectin. Stir well and put into sterile half pint jam jars. Process in boiling water bath for 15 minutes. Remove and let cool on a towel. (follow other directions for specifics of processing if you haven't done it before)
This made about 5 jars of jam for me. It was pretty spicy but was delish on a cracker over cream cheese.
Enjoy!
PS If you're going to comment anyway, feel free to share a random/stupid fact about yourself. I'd love to know more about you.
That is the coolest thing ever....I wonder if it would work for international mail.
I'm sure the posties were laughing their heads off every time your parcel moved through the delivery chain!
Posted by: CurlyPops | July 12, 2008 at 04:54 AM
Swistle sent met over. Great cutting board!Random fact about me? It's my first time at your blog. Hello!
Posted by: Omaha Mama | July 12, 2008 at 05:36 AM
Great cutting board. Random fact about me: I love taking photos.
Posted by: Vicky | July 12, 2008 at 07:13 AM
Great cutting board. Random fact about me: I love taking photos.
Posted by: Vicky | July 12, 2008 at 07:13 AM
No WAY. You just put a stamp on it?
Not-so-random-fact. I wish I was on a preserving kick. But my garden is a huge time consuming flop and my dreams of bounty have been slashed by clay filled soil and lack of rain. Bah humbug. So I am supremely jealous. Pickles! Oh, I wish.
Posted by: Misty | July 12, 2008 at 09:14 AM
pick me! pick me! pick me!
Posted by: janelle | July 12, 2008 at 09:16 AM
Random fact: squash is my very favorite veg ever. Yum!
Posted by: Libby | July 12, 2008 at 12:23 PM
I am terrified of heights (can't even climb on a chair to get something out of my cupboards comfortably), but LOVE to watch people climbing, on highwires, etc. Crazeeee, I know.
Posted by: JenniferB | July 12, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Ok, that is way cool! My issue of course is that I cut fruit on my garlic/onion cutting board by accident sometimes. Not something I'd recommend btw. I love how you did this!
And umm random fact? I refuse to get a new driver's license and just update my address online as needed because I'm too cheap to pay the (unnecessary) $10.
Posted by: Michelle | July 12, 2008 at 01:25 PM
How cool is that?
I can't believe it went through the mail unwrapped. Awesome!
It looks great. What a great way to tell boards apart. I would absolutely love one. My hubby has trouble remembering that he shouldn't mix the boards.
Random fact: I love Depeche Mode! :)
Posted by: mari | July 12, 2008 at 02:01 PM
I have a freckle in the middle of the bottom my foot. Weird, huh? Random. And, I don't own a wood cutting board. I really need one. Enough said :)!
Posted by: Beth Pester | July 12, 2008 at 03:32 PM
That is so cool! I need to start canning again.
Posted by: Amelia Sprout | July 12, 2008 at 07:06 PM
That is so cool! I need to start canning again.
Posted by: Amelia Sprout | July 12, 2008 at 07:07 PM
It's a beautiful board, Melissa, and only YOU would mail it as-is! (I think it's quite amusing..)
Posted by: goody-goody | July 12, 2008 at 07:30 PM
What a great idea for a cutting board! Cute AND logical!
Strange factoid: I love having curly hair because it gives me license not to have to style it.
Posted by: chraycee | July 13, 2008 at 09:08 AM
What a great idea! Love that you mailed it as is, never would have thought of that.
Posted by: claire | July 13, 2008 at 03:58 PM
Random fact: I bake a mean pumpkin pie. Also, I prefer to say "liberry" instead of "library", but I like to say "February" instead of "Febuary"
Posted by: EMama | July 14, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Hi! Random fact: I can't wait til school starts in September.
Posted by: susie | July 14, 2008 at 12:11 PM
Great cutting board!
Random fact: I love the smell of fresh cut grass.
Posted by: whimsicalwalney | July 14, 2008 at 10:15 PM
Lovely board! Random fact--I don't own a non-metal pot.
Barbara
Posted by: Barbara | July 18, 2008 at 05:01 AM
What a great idea! I'm kind of late on this (behind in my blog reading). I guess I need one of those feed reader things we talked about the other day! Anyway, just wanted to say that the cutting board and the way you mailed it was very cool & I had a great time the other night!
Posted by: Amy Cluck | July 25, 2008 at 11:28 AM