If you can’t beat it, eat it

Do you know the old saying “if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em?” A new cookbook takes a similar tack to that adage, but instead of joining the problem, it suggests that you eat it. Gastro Obscura brings us the story of a Tasmanian cookbook dedicated to helping combat invasive species. 

Titled ‘Eat the Problem’, the book features recipes for slew of invasive plants and animals, including cane toads, wakame (a type of invasive seaweed), Asian carp, and nutria, plus other pests located in Australia and abroad. The goal of the book, according to Kirsha Kaechele, an American artist and curator,  is to “glamorize the devouring of invasive animals and plants.” 

World class chefs like Dominique Crenn turn their talents to the pesky problems. Crenn applies the afore-mentioned wakame to root vegetables, and Philippe Parola of New Orleans contributes a recipe for Asian carp amandine. In addition to the recipes, the book is filled with art and musings on food, history, and the natural world. If ‘Eat the Problem’ sounds intriguing, you may balk at the price tag: the going price is $277.77 USD. Proceeds from the book are headed to a good cause, however, Kaechele’s kitchen-garden program for schools in Tasmania and New Orleans.

Although not from this book, the photo above of Dandelion flower pasta from The 3 Foragers looks intriguing and would help combat the problem plant in my own garden.