Edible Austin

350 parts per million of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is the safe upper limit for atmospheric CO² to sustain life as we know it on the planet. It’s the number that could define our future.

When you consider that we’re already at 385 parts per million, according to data presented by scientists at the American Geophysical Union conference in San Francisco last December, now is the time to start paying attention and 350 is the number not to beat. When author (The End of Nature, Deep Economy), educator and grassroots organizer Bill McKibben visited town this March, Austin Green Art founder Randy Jewart hosted a roundtable discussion with Bill and a roomful of Austin’s sustainability crowd. McKibbon, who also founded Step It Up 2007, which organized hundreds of rallies in support of curbs on carbon emissions, explained his latest project—the 350 Campaign (350.org), an international undertaking aimed at further raising awareness about global warming. Bottom line, we all need to do our part or we’re all gonna die, as in global death.

So we’re introducing a new department in our magazine: Edible 350. Read our 350 story by Helen Cordes on embracing the concept of zero waste (page 26) and making art out of trash. Check out the new Eco-resources on our website that source everything from compostable food packaging to environment-friendly household and garden products. Make a small (or large) change in your life and know that it will have a powerful and possibly planet-saving ripple eff ect, especially when you influence others to do the same.

In keeping with a literary theme, this spring issue features some favorite local authors in our new Edible LIt department—Sarah Bird writes about, well, books and Homesick Texan blogger Lisa Fain interviews author Carol Dawson about her book House of Plenty: The Rise, Fall and Revival of Luby's Cafeterias, with an excerpt included. You'll also find Marion Winik stalking our pages in a nostalgic food-funk, and an excerpt from Jim Hightower's newest book, Swim Against the Current.

 And to wash it all down, make yourself a seasonal cocktail from David Alan's debut "Tipsy Texan" column. Salud!

This winter, we invite you to dig a firepit and cook a seasonal dish of grassfed ground lamb, fresh mint, onion and parsnips over an open fire (see Homegrown Gourmet). Celebrate Edible Austin Eat Local Week with us at local markets and restaurants. And if, like us, you plan to experiment more with chocolate, try this recipe, which was handed to me surreptitiously at a recent farmers market by chocolatier Tom Pedersen. According to chef Jesse Griffiths of Dai Due supper club who created it, this Italian-style frozen custard is great for three reasons: it's easy, it doesn't require an ice cream machine and it's perfect for improvisation.

It's also the perfect finish to a celebratory meal.

We have beautiful products in Central Texas, especially on the seam of the two seasons that coincides with Thanksgiving. Winter squash and lettuces are available, but tomatoes aren’t out of the question, either. Persimmons and apples are easy to find, and, with a little ingenuity, you can arrange for ducks, turkeys, pheasants and doves (think of them as little turkeys.) There’s no need to use words like “bounty” or “cornucopia”—just take a look around and see what’s growing, swimming or flying.

Our Thanksgiving menu reflects what’s available now and here. If you’re a traditionalist, mix a few new dishes in with your old favorites. Either way, I don’t think there’s a better way to celebrate.

Also, Honor the Animal with Hugh Fitzsimmons as he field harvests his bison with compassion and grace. And learn about Brenton Johnson who started a garden in his backyard and now has a thriving CSA.