Lughnasadh Gratefulness (and yums)

Ah, long time, no post... HAPPY LUGHNASADH!

Here is the zucchini fried cake recipe that goes with the Hyacinth Noir Lughnasadh Spotlight Issue!

2 cups shredded zucchini (thoroughly drained, especially if from frozen)
2 eggs
1/2 c. all-purpose unbleached flour
1/4 c. finely diced onion
1/8 tsp. dried dill
1/4 tsp. ground pepper

Mix everything together.

Get a pan ready with about 1/4 inch of oil on the bottom. Heat on medium-high.

Drop batter by tablespoonfuls into heated oil. If required, flatten the dough down a little. (I didn't have this problem, although the dough will be lumpy with all that good stuff in it!)

Fry about two minutes on each side. Blot excess oil off with paper (kitchen) towels.

If you'd like to get a little more into the Lughnasadh spirit with this recipe, omit the onion and dill. Fry batter as above. Serve with warm blueberry and strawberry syrup while you celebrate Lugh's day!

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Also, here is the zucchini bread recipe used in the Lughnasadh issue.

Mix together at high speed, about 1 minute:

¾ c. vegetable oil
2 c. sugar
3 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract

Stir in:

2 c. last season’s grated zucchini
20-ounce can crushed pineapple, thoroughly drained

Then mix with:

3c. unbleached all-purpose flour
1 ½ tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. nutmeg
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
¼ tsp. baking powder
1 c. of raisins and 1 c. nuts are optional (not featured in my photo)

Pour batter into two greased and floured 9 x 5 loaf pans. Bake at 350 degree F (176 degree C) about 75 minutes (1 hour, 15 minutes), checking after the hour mark. To check, insert toothpick in center of loaf. If the toothpick comes out reasonably clean, loaf is done.

This bread has a crispy crust, especially on the top, and will appear pretty brown even when not completely done.






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I was very happy to write about Lughnasadh for Hyacinth Noir! During our correspondence the last week, I certainly grew aware of their dedication to the grandness that is Hyacinth Noir — and I learned even more about the trickiness and contradictions that come along with being a writer.

For one thing... Whenever you decide to write a piece, a story or an article or even a journal entry, you have to love what you're writing — you have to love writing.

Then, when the piece is complete and it's time to edit, you have to be very objective, and suddenly let yourself dislike what you've worked hard on — just long enough to edit it with a critical and impartial eye (and heart). 

I understand how it's difficult for writers to be objective when it comes to editing their own work. I think this is something that comes with time and practice. You have to allow yourself to do it. I had to rely on myself to be my own editor, there was no one else, and it is not something I would recommend for every creative person. There is a fine line, of course, between knowing what will make a piece you've worked on better, and criticizing yourself too thoroughly that you come to hate everything you do.

The same could be said for baking the zucchini recipes in this entry. Actually, the same could be said for your hobbies and your job.

Well, this Lughnasadh, I grew to be thankful that I was in a position to write the spotlight issue for Hyacinth Noir. I was so honored to be asked, and it was so interesting for me, and I'm so glad I had the chance to do it.

If you don't mind, I think I'll end this entry here. This morning, I wrote 7500 words in a novel I've been working on, and 7900 words yesterday. My arms are tired, and my brain feels as shredded as the squash used in those two recipes.

Workshop of Mythical Creatures (and book titles)

A few days ago I opened up one of my old manuscripts and cringed at its title.

I hate titles. I hate titling stories. Sometimes it comes quickly, without any effort at all. More often, it's a slow and agonizing process, like decay - like cooking dinner.

Then, sometimes, a title will come along and smack me in the face just when I least expect it. Even more than a year later, when the story's done, and sitting on the back of my hard drive counting up its dust particles.

I've thought of renaming this old manuscript The Unicorn and the Griffin.

It seemed imbecilic at first, but it's kind of grown on me. Both creatures are mentioned in the story, although neither is actually in the story.... only as suggestions. And perhaps metaphorically... or allegorically... in the two main characters. Paul would be the unicorn. Nick would be the griffin.

It's a Civil War-era story (the world needs more of these, right?), not exactly a romance and not exactly literature. More like a character study... or of how two very unalike people learn to be friends.

The more I thought about the unicorn and the griffin, the more I wondered at the mythology and meaning behind the creatures. Symbolism is everywhere, and sometimes titles are more than they appear.

In my very old encyclopedia, it mentions that unicorns were often the symbol of virginity. It's also used in heraldry as a living thing that has broken free of its bonds. It's a "supporter" (in heraldic terminology) in the Scottish Royal Coat of Arms. These meanings suit Paul very well. He's a very non-sexual entity, and his people are from Scotland (he was himself born in Canada). I don't know that all that nonsense about a unicorn being tamed by a maiden would do Paul any good...

As for Nick and his creature, the griffin represents vigilance. In the story, Nick was used as a scout and cartographer. In heraldry, griffins are for military courage and leadership. Also appropriate for Nick. He joined the Union Army far before Paul did, and Nick was definitely the dominant one in the partnership.

There's also a nice little bit on Wiki that suggests that griffins mate for life, and when its mate dies, for the rest of its life it is alone. That would apply, too, in a way, though I haven't written that sequel yet, so perhaps I shouldn't give too much away.

This is the fun I run into being a writer. Now back to sitting on my nest of unpublished books...

Unicorn wiki
Griffin wiki