Rice harvest
Written by: adekun on 24 September, 2008 1:43 pm - Filed under: blog — 5 Comments »
Shigeki-san sporty a straw Stetson
Juggling people’s work commitments and the weather, meant it took a public holiday to harvest the rice. It was Autumnal Equinox Day and very overcast too. Shigeki-san had already harvested one of the smaller fields. This left the two large fields, one of which had a smaller adjoining counterpart. With a late morning start and the threat of rain, Shigeki spent most of the time at the controls. I was porter. Continue reading
Tainted Rice
Written by: adekun on 19 September, 2008 1:39 pm - Filed under: blog — 4 Comments »
Recently stories have been surfacing over tainted rice that has ended up in the food chain. Unsurprisingly, this did not happen by accident, but in the name of profit (as is the custom). The rice is said to have been imported from China and Vietnam amongst others. Contaminated with pesticides and a toxic mould, the rice was destined for industrial use. Instead an increasing trail of hundreds of companies has emerged; covering brewing, food stuffs, the elderly and schoolchildren. Continue reading
The sweetest thing
Written by: adekun on 15 May, 2008 5:15 pm - Filed under: blog — 3 Comments »
With the warmer weather and turnings with the new fork, the compost’s stench of ammonia has given way to the scent of geranium. Quite a bit of the putrefying stuff got dug in prior to the potatoes, beans and peas. With the bulk of it gone, it was easier to arrange layers of green and brown. Perhaps more importantly, separate the slimy fibrous masses and get some air in. It’s cooler than it was a couple of weeks ago and there has been quite a bit of rain. On Tuesday there was a surprise thunderstorm bringing hyou (hail) as large as ice cubes. It really came down heavy and it’s looks like the summer veg has had too much water. I expect I’ll soon be moaning about the lack of it.
On the way back from our trip to Mitokusan Sanbutsuji we saw the rice paddies flooded up in the mountains. It started down here last week. The odd early bird farmer in-between spells planting out rice.
Inekari
Written by: adekun on 25 September, 2007 9:12 pm - Filed under: blog — 10 Comments »
Over the weekend, both of my wife’s uncles chose to harvest the rice. Whilst my father-in-law went to help his brother, I turned up about ten-ish to help Shigeki.
After Shigeki (pictured), did the edges (to keep the smile on his face), I ploughed the field ready for next year.
The combine was then jump-started and off he rode, standing up and if he was in driving a Panzerspähwagen. It was amusing to see him bending over to light a fag, whilst in ‘command’. Once the bulk was harvested, I had a turn and break from loading the truck up with bags of rice.
Despite the odd shower, early on, it turned out to be a good day for it. After harvesting rice, most people drive off to a nearby grain store to sell their rice, resulting in queues that last for hours. Fortunately, on our two trips, this was not the case. At the weigh-in, the combined loads came to 810.6 kg, about 32 kg a sack. Part of the harvest from another field kept to be eaten throughout the year.
Mulching Like I’ve Never Mulched Before
Written by: adekun on 29 April, 2007 2:53 am - Filed under: blog — 6 Comments »
Across the road from JA there is one of the many rice machines that are dotted around the city. These thresh and polish rice at the press of a button and a few hundred yen. Many have hoppers for those with bigger loads. Although both the dust and chaff are put to good use, heaps can be found around the back.
The shop sells charred husks at what seems to be an exorbitant price, so a few yards away I was busy with a shovel and few sacks. It has been bloody hot the past week, fortunately Kento has been steadfast and managed to get me up before seven. As a result I mulched instead of mooched the garden and was finished by ten. It’s my first time with mulch and uncertain of the conventions, but am optimistic the cover will help.
Chestnut Rice
Written by: adekun on 25 October, 2006 8:37 am - Filed under: japanese — No Comments »
A very autumnal chestnut rice recipe. Below is what I could glean of my wife:
- 75 g halved cooked and peeled chestnuts
- 120 g japanese short grain rice or mochi rice
- 10 ml sake
- 150 ml water
- good pinch of salt
Wash the rice several times, changing the water until clear. Drain for about an hour.
Into a deep saucepan or pot add the rice and place the chestnuts on top. Continue reading
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