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Photo by TARMO HANNULA
Measure M was on the streets of Santa Cruz for the Martin Luther King Jr. March for Dream, Jan.15.
Measure M Qualifies for March 5 City of Santa Cruz Ballot
By FRANK BARRON
Qualifying for the March 5 ballot, after gathering more than 5,000 signatures in record time —well above the 3,690 signatures needed to qualify— the Housing for People initiative has officially been given the measure letter M. Measure M was created by a grassroots group of Santa Cruz residents concerned about the direction the city is taking, and the lack of community voice in that process. Steve Bare, signer of the initiative, put it this way, “We came together because we each shared the perception that something was amiss with the planned development for Santa Cruz. We came together because we care more about civility, livability, citizen empowerment, and sustainability, than we do about profit or power.”
And former County Supervisor Gary Patton said, “The current city council has indicated its intention to raise building heights south of Laurel Street to twelve stories, twice as high as the new building at Pacific and Laurel. That’s taller than the Dream Inn! Measure M will require a vote of the people before height limits can be raised. Measure M will give the same protection to every part of the city, to protect our neighborhoods, too!” Patton added, “‘More and ‘Higher’ doesn’t mean more truly affordable housing for working families. Measure M will give us a chance to respond to our housing crisis in a way that makes sense for Santa Cruz.”
Should Measure M pass in March, it would do two things:
1. Measure M Means More Democracy: In general, Measure M gives the public a direct voice in the future form of Santa Cruz, a voice citizens don't have, because height limits and land-use decisions are currently made solely by the city council. Measure M protects all neighborhoods, including downtown, from the city raising building height limits without a vote of the people. Specifically, Measure M requires a majority vote before the City General Plan or Zoning Ordinance can be amended to raise current height limits — limits which are already quite high, at 5-8 stories in most of downtown and south of Laurel Street (when the State Density Bonus Law developer entitlement is taken into account). In our current context, passing Measure M would also mean the City of Santa Cruz would be required to get voter approval before current height limits can be raised to allow the 12-story high-rises proposed in the 29-acres south of Laurel Street (i.e., twice as tall as the new tower at Pacific and Laurel).
2. Measure M Means More Affordable Housing: The initiative also increases the percentage of required affordable units in each multi-family development from 20% to 25% (in projects of 30+ units). The Santa Cruz City Planning Commission recommended a similar change, but the city council refused to adopt it. Now, the voters can adopt it by passing Measure M. Many recent housing developments in Santa Cruz only have 11%-13% of their units dedicated to low and moderate income households. This is due to the State Density Bonus Law, which dilutes the city's currently required 20% affordable rate down to a net of only 11%-13%. A “Yes” vote on Measure M will increase the amount of affordable housing that developers are required to build by 5%, so that when the Density Bonus Law is used, the net affordable percentage will be a much more reasonable 16%-18%.
Among the thousands of citizens of Santa Cruz that support Measure M are the following community members and leaders:
Gary Patton - Environmental Attorney, Former County Supervisor
Katherine Beiers - Former Mayor
Jane Weed-Pomerantz - Former Mayor
Bruce Van Allen - Former Mayor
Bruce Bratton - Journalist/Communicator, Radio Host, Editor
Joseph S. Quigg - Affordable and Market-Rate Housing Developer
Rick Longinotti - Author of “Right to Vote on Desal” Initiative
Hector Marin-Castro - Santa Cruz City Schools Teacher’s Aide and Service Worker
Frank Barron - Retired Urban Planner
Keresha Durham-Tamba - Bilingual Educator, Environmental-Climate Activist
Susan Monheit- Former CA State Water Regulator, and Environmental Scientist
Nell Newman, Founder of Newman’s Own Organics
When ballot voter guides arrive towards the end of January be sure and read the City Ballot Pamphlet's Argument in Favor of Measure M and the Rebuttal to the Argument Against Measure M.
Numerous false claims have been made about what Measure M will and won't do, claims that need to be corrected. Our grassroots organization is kicking off our Yes on Measure M campaign by setting the record straight.
False Claim #1: Opponents claim the city needs 12+ story towers to meet the state requirement of 3,736 new housing units by 2031.
The Truth #1: Our city’s “Housing Element” has identified development opportunities that provide thousands more units than needed, under existing height limits. Measure M will not in any way prevent the city from achieving the state required housing goals. Excessive high-rises are not needed, and if they ever are in the future, voters should be the ones responsible for approving them, not developer-friendly city officials.
False Claim #2: Measure M opponents also claim that Measure M would require city-wide votes for minor development projects like fences or Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) that exceed the normal height limits.
The Truth #2: City-wide votes would be required only when a General Plan or Zoning Ordinance amendment is needed to raise building height limits for entire zoning districts (see Addendum Item A below), not for minor projects like small increases in fence or ADU heights. This was confirmed at the Nov. 30 Planning Commission meeting by Asst. Planning Director Eric Marlatt who said that these instances would only require a “Conditional Fence Permit” for an over height fence, or a “Variance” for an overheight ADU (as seen at the end of this video clip HERE), neither of which require a General Plan or Zoning Ordinance amendment (according to the city Zoning Ordinance’s Land Use Permits and Findings section) Thus, it is clear that minor projects such as overheight fences or ADUs would not require a vote under Measure M.
False Claim #3: Measure M opponents have claimed that a citywide vote would be required to approve affordable housing developments like the recently approved 5-story Housing Matters homeless services/housing project on Coral Street.
The Truth #3: Projects like this Housing Matters development — which meet the State Density Bonus affordability requirements — will qualify for a “height waiver or exception” and can go up to 5-stories in a zone district that normally has a two-story height limit. This type of height exception is allowed under current zoning regulations and does not require a General Plan or Zoning Ordinance amendment and, therefore, would not be subject to a vote under Measure M.
False Claim #4: Opponents claim that if Measure M stops the 12-story buildings south of Laurel, larger developments will be forced into residential neighborhoods.
The Truth #4: Measure M protects all neighborhoods city-wide from up-zonings that increase the current height limits in the General Plan or Zoning Ordinance. This is as true for the outlying neighborhoods as it is for downtown.
False Claim #5: Opponents claim our initiative would encourage urban sprawl and more commuter traffic.
The Truth #5: Further urban sprawl is already prevented in Santa Cruz by local city, county, and state measures. For example: the city's Greenbelt Initiative (that protected Pogonip, Arana Gulch and the westside ag lands), the county's Measure J (that implemented an urban growth boundary and has kept the rural areas rural), and the state Coastal Act (which established the Coastal Zone and is the reason we don't have subdivisions going up the coast). Measure M simply requires a vote of the people before our General Plan or Zoning Ordinance can be amended to allow increases in existing height limits. Higher density housing is already allowed along transit corridors throughout the city, and particularly in downtown and south of Laurel. Denser housing near where people work can and will result from our current zoning. Measure M doesn't change that. Measure M will not promote sprawl or further traffic congestion.
False Claim #6: In a 12/14/23 Lookout article, Don Lane claimed our campaign was using scare tactics by saying 22 and 17-story skyscrapers were being considered for Santa Cruz.
The Truth #6: At the 6/14/22 City Council meeting, city staff recommended: one 225-foot (22-story) tower, surrounded by three 185-foot (18-story) towers, and one 145-foot (14 story) tower in the south of Laurel area. It was called "Development Scenario 3.1" for the Downtown Plan Expansion project, which can be seen HERE and below (Addendum Item B). The city council subsequently decided to scale back that proposal to instead include one 175-foot (17-story) and three 150-foot (15-story) buildings. Then on 1/10/23 the council changed the project to include an unspecified number of "12-story" towers (with no objective height limits in feet), and no locations identified. It is clear that Mr. Lane was incorrect in stating that 22 and 17-story towers have not been considered for Santa Cruz.
It is crucial that independent press and broadcast media report the truth and set the record straight about what Measure M will and won't do. We welcome any and all independent fact checking. Team members of Yes on Measure M are available for interviews or to answer questions, either in person, on air, by telephone, by Zoom, or by email/text.
Addenda:
A. Implementation Section of Measure M (the core actions that the city would have to take if it passes):
"SECTION 4. IMPLEMENTATION POLICIES. It is hereby determined that the following policies are approved:
1. The Santa Cruz City Council shall not adopt amendments to the City’s General Plan or Zoning Ordinance that increase the allowable height limits or Floor Area Ratios (FAR) for development projects, which are greater than the height limits and FAR in effect in the City’s General Plan as of June 1, 2023 (or the earliest date allowed by law), without a prior vote of the people approving the proposed increase.
2. The inclusionary housing requirements shall be increased from the existing 20% to at least 25% for developments with 30 or more housing units.
In order to carry out the policies contained in this ordinance the Santa Cruz City Council is directed to take the following actions:
1. Codify the following policy in the City’s Zoning Ordinance Section 24.06.080: 2. Height Limits. No amendments to the General Plan or Zoning Ordinance increasing the allowable height limits or Floor Area Ratios (FAR) for development projects shall be adopted without a prior vote of the people approving the proposed increase.
3. Amend the Zoning Ordinance to increase the inclusionary requirements to at least 25% for developments with 30 or more housing units."
Development Scenario 3.1 - the staff recommended alternative at 6/14/22 City Council meeting, with one 22-story (225-ft.) and three 18-story (185-ft.) buildings proposed.
Contact Information: Frank Barron fcxbarron@gmail.com and (831) 325-4166. Yes on Measure M (www.yes-on-m.org)
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California's System of Pest Control Advisors:
Kickbacks and Conflicts of Interest
By WOODY REHANEK
In addressing pesticides, Gov. Newsom describes "intricately connecting the areas of healthy soils, alternative pest management strategies, agricultural economies, community and worker health and safety, food systems and environmental resource priorities all while transitioning away from harmful chemicals."
"Transitioning away from harmful chemicals" here in the Pajaro Valley will be an enormous task. For example, by weight, 2/3 of the pesticides used here are fumigants, which can travel for miles. One of them, 1,3-D (Telone), is both a toxic air contaminant and carcinogen; it is banned in 34 countries.
In our local Pajaro Valley Unified School District on the Santa Cruz County side of the Pajaro River, 67 farms lie within 1/4 mile of our schools. 17 are organic; 50 are conventional chemical farms, some of which use 1,3-D as a fumigant. Obviously, certified, on-the-ground professionals are needed to monitor and assess local in-field conditions and practices.
But, there's a problem.
To regulate pesticides, DPR (the Dept. of Pesticide Regulation) was formed in 1991 "to protect human health and the environment by regulating pesticide sales and use, and by fostering reduced-risk pest management." Regulations forbade DPR employees from profiting from the huge pesticide industry. This was considered to be a clear conflict of interest.
To further protect the public interest and the environment, a system of licensure for Pest Control Advisors (PCAs), overseen by DPR, was established in 1992. The job of PCAs is to monitor the health of fields, farms, and forests, and to recommend pesticides when and if needed. PCAs are also tasked with "certification that alternatives and mitigation measures that would substantially lessen any significant adverse impact on the environment have been considered and, if feasible, adopted." [CA Code Regs. tit.3, 6556(e)(2014)]
The problem is that the majority of PCAs are employed by chemical distributors and receive kickbacks for prescribing their in-house chemicals. Company PCAs usually receive a base salary and a commission on the pesticides they sell. Company PCAs will monitor for pests and diseases, then evaluate and prescribe pesticides "free of charge." They then sell the farmer the chemicals to be applied — one-stop "free" shopping.
A minority of PCA's are independent and charge a per-acre fee for their services. Independent PCAs are not employed by chemical companies and are therefore more likely to assess field conditions without bias and to recommend Integrated Pest Management and organic and regenerative alternatives to toxic pesticides. The problem is that they compete for clients with the "free" services offered by company PCAs.
In a remarkable law review article, Jennifer Oleksa Vanzant states, "They (independent PCAs) are much more likely to use an integrated approach to managing pests, which in turn reduces the volume of pesticides used as well as the cost to growers." On the other hand, "The affiliation of PCAs with giant agricultural chemical companies has proven to have detrimental effects on the environment and human health and safety."
In my view, Big Chem paying their in-house PCAs to prescribe their ag chemicals is like Big Pharma paying doctors to prescribe their pharmaceuticals, which, until the 1980s, was legal. Independent PCAs offer an alternative which will lead to pesticide reduction, healthier humans, soils and watersheds, and to a host of other benefits, including long-term sustainability and cost reduction.
The conflict-of-interest problem of company PCAs prescribing pesticides is solvable, but it will take immense political courage and will. Vanzant concludes, "Removing PCAs from the auspices of pest control giants is a necessary step toward the eradication of the pervasive conflict of interest that harms modern agriculture. Failure to erect a legal barrier between advisers and pesticide salesmen acts as an open invitation for the fox to continue guarding the hen house."
If you are interested in these issues, Safe Ag Safe Schools has an upcoming meeting on Jan. 25, at 5:30 at the office of the Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers, 734 East Lake Ave. #14, Watsonville.
--Jennifer Oleksa Vanzant, "A Modern Tale of the Fox Guarding the Hen House: The Inherent Conflict of Interest that Exists When Pesticide Distributors Employ Pest Control Advisors," San Joaquin Agricultural Law Review (2016), pp. 247-275. After graduating with honors from law school, she became Deputy Attorney General in California. She died of cancer in 2022 at the age of 31.
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Age Well Santa Cruz County Survey
By SARAH RINGLER
From Jan. 8 to March 31, the County of Santa Cruz's Human Services Department has opened an online survey that hopes to collect feedback on aging and living with disabilities in our county. That information may be used to develop the county's Master Plan for Aging. The goal is to ensure that people of all ages and abilities can be active and engaged in their community. For information and to take the survey, click HERE.
I took the survey and had to search for a way to add what I consider to be a sorely neglected need, for not only the elderly and disabled, but for many people, bathrooms. Parents, tourists, walkers, bike riders, drivers, notedly people who drive for a living, all need public restrooms. We all go. There just aren't enough in the county.
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SC4B Candidate Endorsements
By JEFFREY SMEDBERG
Members of Santa Cruz for Bernie endorsed a great slate of candidates last fall in three separate forums. Along with endorsement comes the implied commitment to get these people elected. I know you will join me, even if you're not part of SC4Bernie, in supporting them by generously volunteering your time and contributing resources. There are a lot of us, so you don't have to do everything. Just pick one, or two, campaigns to get involved in and make it your own.
There's something for everyone, no matter where you live in the county. You will be able to vote only for candidates running in the district where you live, but you can volunteer for any of the campaigns where you want to have the most effect.
To learn more about a candidate, check their website and read their candidate questionnaire submitted to SC4B at sc4b.org/endorsements.
City of Santa Cruz:
Dave Tannaci, Santa Cruz City Council District 1 (Upper Eastside, Prospect Heights)Volunteer: Get Involved
Héctor Marín, Santa Cruz City Council District 2 (Eastside south of Water St)
Volunteer: Community Canvass Sat & Sun, Jan. 13 & 14, 1pm, meet at 548 Seabright Ave.
Joy Schendledecker, Santa Cruz City Council District 3 (Lighthouse to Nobel)
Volunteer: Get involved.
Joe Thompson, Santa Cruz City Council District 5 (Westlake & East UCSC)
Volunteer: Canvass 9am Sat 1/13, 2/3, 3/2. Sign Up.
Housing for People ballot measure : Volunteer
County Supervisors:
Lani Faulkner, Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors District 1 (Live Oak, Soquel & Summit) Volunteer: Canvass Sun 1/14 12:30pm, meet at 1882 Chanticleer Ave. Sign Up.
Kristen Brown, Santa Cruz County Supervisor District 2 (Aptos to Watsonville) Volunteer: Get Involved.
Monica Martinez, Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors District 5 (San Lorenzo Valley & Scotts Valley) Volunteer: Walk Sat 1/13 or 1/27, or phone, Sign Up for a Shift.
US Congress:
Sean Dougherty, US Congress District 19 (Coastal Central California)
Volunteer: Got a prominent spot for a yard sign? Tell Sean.
Barbara Lee, US Senate (State of California)
Volunteer: Sign Up.
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Kristen Brown for Santa Cruz County Supervisor - District 2
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
By KRISTEN BROWN
I'm a 4th generation Santa Cruz County resident from a family with a legacy of public service. I was elected to
Capitola City Council in 2016, and am currently serving as Capitola’s Mayor for the second time now in my 8th year of my second term on City Council. I feel a deep sense of responsibility to our community and I am ready to put my education, experience, and commitment to work on the Board of Supervisors.
I'm running for County Supervisor because I want to be a part of advancing solutions to our County’s most pressing challenges — and I have the experience and education to do it. I bring a wealth of experience and skills to the table that have prepared me to find and advance policy solutions for the unique challenges we face in our district.
In my time as the Chair of the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments (AMBAG), I led the board through our Regional Housing Needs Assessment process and served on the Central Coast Housing Working Group. On the city council, I pushed to ensure that our CARES ACT funding was used to support homelessness prevention through rental assistance programs for our residents and successfully advanced mobile home rent stabilization, thus preserving affordable housing stock in Capitola. As a Supervisor I can bring this experience to the table as we address our ongoing issues of housing supply, affordability and homelessness so that we can ensure our locals remain local.
As the current Vice Chair of the METRO Transit District and Chair of the Regional Transportation Commission, I've been engaged in multimodal transportation improvements to our highway, roads, and transit services. I've supported the electric passenger rail project concept report and last month advocated for an additional $2 million in funding for future rail planning and development. On City Council, I amplified constituent concerns about our pavement management program during budget discussions, successfully allocating an additional half-million dollars to address our streets most in need of repair. As Supervisor, I will continue advocating for solutions to our transit and transportation needs so we can get where we are going faster and safer, and the hours we would otherwise spend sitting in traffic or slowing down for potholes can be spent with our friends and family.
As a champion of our beautiful central coast, I’ve campaigned for coastal resiliency funding, led committees addressing coastal erosion issues, and supported our community as the 2023 storms ravaged the central coast. I also served on the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary Advisory Committee, helping make decisions on the activities that take place within our underwater national park, and successfully promoted Capitola City Council’s support of California Assembly Bill 953, a voluntary vessel speed reduction and sustainable shipping program that lowers greenhouse gas emissions in our beloved marine sanctuary. I'm ready to bring this same advocacy to the Board of Supervisors, where I will take on the challenge of preparing for the next storm, flood, or wildfire through thoughtful planning and deliberate disaster mitigation.
I have 13 years of experience in public policy and government relations, along with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Communication, and a Masters Degree in Public Administration with an emphasis in public sector management and leadership. In my time as a Capitola City Councilmember, I have a proven track record of success in convening, collaborating, and consensus building in order to bring about positive change. I’m adept at building partnerships with local businesses, labor unions and community groups, and I am known to be incredibly responsive to constituent outreach.
(831) 435-0806
Www.votekristenbrown.com
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Best Nonprofit in Santa Cruz
By SARAH RINGLER
Vote for Santa Cruz Food Not Bombs as the best nonprofit in our community today!
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Help the Warming Center - It's Cold Outside
By SARAH RINGLER
The Warming Center is back in action with Warming Wednesdays. From 12-3pm at the levee-side of 150 Felker St. in Santa Cruz, people can access blankets, jackets, tents, clothing, shoes, hygiene supplies, as well as cold and wet weather support gear. Our Homeless Emergency Information Hotline 246-1234 will be updated with weather news and info regarding emergency shelters and how to access them.
Donations are needed from money to street clothing, shoes, all rain and cold-weather gear, blankets, tents, etc.
Donation Barrels are located at:
- REI Sports, on Commercial Way (next to Marshall's)
- 150 Felker St., Santa Cruz
To donate money online: Click Here. Mail money to: Warming Center Program, PO Box 462, Santa Cruz, 95061 Office is at 150 Felker St. Santa Cruz. Our Website.
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Just Ask the Crazy Lady
By WOODY REHANEK
The liquid sky hums
a lullaby, quenching the thirst
of our oak savannah hills.
Two crows slice & silver
the sky in a redwood glissade.
A gray tabby grabs his own tail.
Cloud dancers, wind walkers,
thunderbirds & puddle jumpers
swarm the streets like mayflies.
Some of them may be
parts of me I cannot see.
Q-black flags are swamping minds
as scarecrows play the bones,
dancing their November rhymes.
Just ask the Crazy Lady
unhinged on Suncrest Avenue,
careening & ballooning in the wind
like everybody's business.
************
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Photo by TARMO HANNULA
Western gulls compare notes whie perched on a railing in Santa Cruz.
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Santa Cruz County Covid-19 Report
By SARAH RINGLER
The California Department of Public Health and Santa Cruz County Health Department regularly release data on the current status of Covid-19 in the county as well as information on influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and Mpox. Since cases of Covid are still appearing, and there are still vulnerable people, I will continue reporting the graphs below.
At-home Covid-19 test kits that were sent free from the government earlier are now expiring. The program that started in Jan. 2022 has distributed 600 million test kits. If you still have those tests, before using, check the date on your box or go HERE to get information. Go HERE for free tests.
The three graphs below have not been updated as they ususally are on Thursdays, so they are the same as last week's. The first graph below shows the Rt Number. Numbers above one show the spread of the virus is increasing. Below one means the spread is decreasing.
The second graph below shows data that the Health Department collects for Covid from wastewater at the City Influent, for the city of Santa Cruz, and from the Lode Street pump stations for the county.
The third graph below shows hospitalizations.
The vaccination data for the county has stayed fairly constant increasing very little over time. Go HERE for new information on vaccination records, treatments, vaccines, tests, safety in the workplace and more.
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Photo Tarmo Hannula
Fashion Street - A woman carries a pool of shade with her in Watsonville.
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Labor History Calendar - Jan. 19-25, 2024
a.k.a Know Our History Lest We Forget
Jan. 19, 18112: Luddites burn Oatlands Mill in Yorkshire, England.
Jan. 19, 2023: I million workers strike across France to protest raising retirement age.
Jan. 20, 1932: El Salvador government murders 30,000 peasants to end uprising.
Jan. 20, 1986: Motor blockade closes Hormel plant.
Jan. 20, 1997: International dock strike backs Liverpool dockers.
Jan. 20, 2017: Neofascists shoots, nearly kills protesting Wobbly in Seattle.
Jan. 21, 1946: 750,000 steel workers walk out, largest strike in US history up to that time.
Jan. 21, 1999: Romanian miners protesting austerity battle police, 130 injured.
Jan. 21, 2017: More than 1 million join marches against Trump agenda.
Jan. 22, 1849: Birth of Terrence Powderly, leader of the Knights of Labor.
Jan. 22, 1905: Czarist troops kill 500, wound 3,000 in St. Petersburg — Bloody Sunday.
Jan. 23, 1960: 5-week general strike against austerity ends in defeat in Belgium.
Jan. 24, 1911: Labor journalist Shusui Denjjiro Kotoku and 11 other anarchist hanged in Japan.
Jan. 25, 1851: Sojourner Truth addresses first Black Women’s rights convention.
Jan. 25, 1926: 16,000 textile workers strike in Passaic, New Jersey.
Labor History Calendar has been published yearly by the Hungarian Literature Fund since 1985.
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Photo by TARMO HANNULA
Sweet Pasta and Honey Nests
By SARAH RINGLER
Here's a quick cookie recipe oddly made out of fresh pasta. Francine Segan, with her seemingly infinite ideas on what to do with pasta, presented this in her book “Pasta Modern,” available at the Watsonville Public Library. Crispy deep fried fresh pasta nests covered with warmed orange flavored honey and topped with crunchy salted pistachio nuts, make a surprise dessert that many will enjoy. If it is not sweet enough for you, dust on some powdered sugar.
Like many Middle Eastern sweets - baklava for example - the dough is baked or fried, then bathed in warm honey while still warm. That must have been the inspiration here.
Deep fat frying is thought to have originated in Egypt around 5000 BCE so it has been an established cooking method for a long time. Falafels, deep fried patties made out of various beans, came out of Egypt and migrated into kitchens and stomachs of the Middle East. Later, Greeks deep fried food in olive oil. Funnel cakes, fish and potatoes were fried in Europe going back 700 years ago. It is thought that the Portuguese brought this technique to Japan where it was used it to make tempura.
In the US, the invention of cast iron cookware helped proliferate deep fat frying and brought us wonders like French fries, onion rings, corn dogs and doughnuts. Lately it has appeared to get out of hand, in my humble opinion, with deep fried pizza, Snicker's bars, Twinkies, turkey, butter and fried Coke. Fried Coke was invented by Abel Gonzalez, a computer analyst who froze a batter made from Coco-Cola, deep fried it and then topped it with Coca-Cola syrup. It won "Most Creative" at the 2006 Texas State Fair. If you care, it tops out at 830 calories.
Deep fat frying refers to cooking by totally submerging the food in hot oil. It is dangerous and costly. I strain and reuse the oil either in another deep-frying dish or when I need to sauté something. That way I use a little at a time and don't waste it. Peanut oil is supposed to be the best for really high heat frying. Corn, safflower and canola are good for medium heat that is enough for these cookies.
Sweet crispy pasta nests
10 ounces of fresh egg fettuccine or linguine
2 cups oil for deep fat frying like peanut, corn, or safflower
1/2 cup honey
1 tablespoon orange zest
¼ cup chopped pistachios or walnuts
Optional - confectioners’ sugar
Set up a area for deep fat frying with a strainer over a bowl to catch the nests as they come out of the hot oil and a cookie tray covered with paper towels for the final draining.
In a heavy bottomed pan, heat 2 inches of high heat oil over medium high to high heat. Twist four strands of the fresh fettuccine - or 6 strands of the linguine - into a nest and carefully place it in the hot oil. Turn with a slotted spoon to fry on both sides until golden. Keep the handle of the pan away from where you are working, never leave the stove and watch the pasta nests carefully.
When all the nests are made and most of the oil is drained off, remove the paper towels and put the nests on the cookie sheet covered with wax paper.
In a small saucepan, warm the honey with the orange zest. Pour over the nests and sprinkle the chopped pistachios over that. Sift powdered sugar over that if you want them sweeter. Serve. Makes about 16.
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Send your story, poetry or art here: Please submit a story, poem or photo of your art that you think would be of interest to the people of Santa Cruz County. Try and keep the word count to around 400. Also, there should be suggested actions if this is a political issue. Submit to coluyaki@gmail.com
Send comments to coluyaki@gmail.com
If you are enjoying the Serf City Times, forward it on to others. We need readers, artists, photographers and writers.
Subscribe, contact or find back issues at the website https://conta.cc/3TQhuS3
Thanks, Sarah Ringler
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Welcome to Serf City Times Our county has problems and many people feel left out. Housing affordability, racism and low wages are the most obvious factors. However, many groups and individuals in Santa Cruz County work tirelessly to make our county a better place for everyone. These people work on the environment, housing, economic justice, health, criminal justice, disability rights, immigrant rights, racial justice, transportation, workers’ rights, education reform, gender issues, equity issues, electoral politics and more. Often, one group doesn’t know what another is doing. The Serf City Times is dedicated to serving as a clearinghouse for those issues by letting you know what is going on, what actions you can take and how you can support these groups.This is a self-funded enterprise and all work is volunteer.
Copyright © 2024 Sarah Ringler - All rights reserved
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