Meatless Monday: Modern Frankenstein

Frankenstein waited too long to make things right. It's not too late for us.
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It's Halloween, so for something suitably scary, Mary Shelley's 1818 classic Frankenstein gets a modern genetically modified makeover.

Dr. Victor Frankenstein was not a bad guy. In fact he was super-bright; a scientist devoted to discovering the secret of life, given to saying things like, "I will pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation."

This trick never works.

Does he listen? No, Frankenstein goes and creates new life out of bits of things -- bits of human things, in fact. A few genetic splices, a few electrical zaps and his creature comes to life. This is all Frankenstein wanted, right? The guy should be happy. Except he sees the creature for what it is. It moves around, all right, but being lifelike is not life. Something has gone horribly wrong. The creature is monstrous, even without bolts in its neck (that was a Hollywood thing). Victor is feeling pretty monstrous, too. He runs like hell. The creature likewise runs, in the other direction. Victor falls prey to guilt, remorse, sickness of the soul and collapses.

What gets him out of bed is the horrifying news of his brother's murder. You guessed it, the creature killed him.

Victor dithers. He sits on his ass. Meanwhile the creature bumps off Victor's best friend. And on Victor's wedding night, the creature murders Victor's bride.

Okay, now Victor's ready to act. He will revenge the monster's murders, he'll hunt the bastard -- of his own making -- down. He chases the monster up to the icy north, but the reader can figure it out even if Victor can't -- way too late, bro.

The monster tells Victor he never wanted to do evil. The world -- the natural world -- seems like an awfully nice place. All he wants is human connection. Never gonna happen -- he's deformed and freaks people out. He has been created only to be abandoned and vilified. He is lonely, he is miserable and can't control his own destructive impulses. It's just a dark craziness in the genes. Frankenstein didn't plan this, it's what you might call unforeseen consequences.

Frankenstein's monster kills his creator then goes off alone on the ice to die. Happily ever after? Not so much.

Almost 200 years later, you'd think we'd have learned. But we're once again at the mercy of monsters of our own making, by way of genetically modified crops. GMO foods began flooding the American market in 1996, not that we were told. Let's say companies, like Frankenstein, started GMOs out of a desire for good -- feed the world! easy to grow! environmentally kind! -- but these premises have long been disproved.

Genetically modified seeds require more pesticides and companies are relying on increasingly more toxic chemicals.

Are GMOs killing us? Studies have linked them to birth defects and cancer. At the very least, the Institute for Responsible Technology's Jeffrey Smith notes that since we've been eating GMOs, he's seen a corresponding jump in food allergies and automimmune disorders.

Impoverished countries may grow GMO crops for money, but as John Robbins writes, the people can't afford to eat the food themselves. Meanwhile, GMOs are destroying biodiversity on a global level.

It's scary stuff.

We deserve to know what's in our food. A poll shows 90% of us are demanding genetically modified foods be labeled. Like Frankenstein, Congress has dithered. President Obama campaigned on labeling GMOs back in 2007. He hasn't delivered. It's time he did.

Earlier this month, the Center for Food Safety took our message to the FDA with its Just Label It campaign.

Organizations including Food Democracy Now,Environmental Working Group and Organic Farming Research Organization are part of the effort. You can be, too. Push for GMO labeling now.

Until our government protects us or at least notifies us about what we're eating, eat defensively. Eat organically. "Americans are beginning to awaken to the need to reconnect with their food sources and the people who deliver healthy food to us," says Denise Ryan of Organic Farming Research Foundation.

Organic sales are up, even in this sluggish economy. We'll spend money on food and farmers we can trust. "There is honor in being an organic farmer in America. What they do in spite of all the obstacles is nothing short of heroic," says Ryan.

Frankenstein waited too long to make things right. It's not too late for us. Yet. Organically grown produce is not only delectable, it reconnects us with humanity -- that's the magical spark Frankenstein and his monster dearly needed. We need, too. "When an organic farmer succeeds," says Ryan, "We all thrive."


Pumpkin, Poblano and Spinach Tortillas

You don't need genetic monkeying to get fabulous flavors out of food. Organic and seasonal produce does it for you with this pumpkin recipe. It's got heat, it's got sweet, it's nourishment from vitamins A, B and C, calcium, iron, potassium, oh I could keep going. Just try it.

Use organic and flavorful cheese pumpkin, sugar pumpkin or the fashion forward carnival pumpkin used here are. Jack o'lanterns, though tempting, go mushy and bland when cooked.

Top tortillas with toasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds), crumbled queso fresco or shredded vegan cheese and perhaps a splash of hot sauce.

4 poblano peppers
2 pounds pumpkin, cut into about 1-½ inch cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 good-size onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 pinch dried epazote or 1 pinch each dried oregano and dried thyme
1 sprig fresh sage leaves, chopped (about 2 tablespoons)
sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
4 cups loosely packed spinach
6 to 10 multigrain or corn tortillas

Turn broiler on to high. Place poblanos on a baking sheet and broil until blackened on both sides (about 8 to 10 minutes per side).

Remove from oven and immediately wrap in a towel or seal in a paper bag. Let peppers sweat for about 20 minutes or more, or at least until they're touchably cool.

Peel poblanos -- their blistered skin should slip right off. Remove seeds and cut peppers into bite-sized strips.

Peppers may be roasted, peeled and seeded up to a day ahead. Wrap and refrigerate.

Preheat oven to 425.

Spread cubed pumpkin in a rimmed baking dish. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Sprinkle with sea salt and freshly ground pepper. Roast for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to cook evenly and prevent sticking.

In the meantime, heat remaining tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic and cook, until softened and golden, about 8 minutes. Add epazote or oregano and thyme, chopped chilis and sage.

Reduce heat to medium. Add roasted pumpkin and the spinach by the handful.

Combine gently until the tortilla filling is heated through and spinach is just wilted but still bright green -- about 5 to 7 minutes.

To warm tortillas, wrap in kitchen towels and steam them on top of a double boiler for a minute or two or wrap in foil and place in a 300 degree oven for a couple of minutes.

Taste filling again and season to taste.

Mound filling onto tortillas and enjoy.

Serves 6 to 8.

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