San Francisco: Crabs for Thanksgiving?

I'm very appreciative of the turkey my family cooked for Thanksgiving this year.  It's a tradition for most families in the US.  But not all.  In fact, much of the San Francisco Bay Area (and the Pacific Northwest) eats Dungeness crab.


Crab?  That's right.  It's news to me, too.  I first heard about the west coast tradition this year when a delay to the crabbing season hit national media.

The shellfish is native to the west coast of the US, and according to a San Francisco report, Pacific coast Dungeness crab fishing dates back to the mid 1800s.  What does that have to do with weather and climate?  Well, Dungeness crab are typically in season right around mid-November... so families save their first "crab of the season" for Thanksgiving dinner.  It's often eaten at Christmas, too.

I think it's a cool way to incorporate local food into your holidays and cultural traditions.  I lived in Baltimore for a year, but Maryland Crabs (Blue Crabs) are more of a summer dish.  If it was in season in November, I'm sure it would be a staple there too.

The big hitch is that this fall, the crab has been infected with Domic Acid.  It's a toxin, and an interview on NPR explains that usually it comes from algae in warm water.  It doesn't kill the crabs, but it's really dangerous for people.  Because of the health risks, California, Washington and Oregon have all put a delay on the start of their crabbing seasons.  Hence the Thanksgiving panic for some.

Why are the waters warmer this year?  It's a mix of factors.  For starters, there's been a lot of talk of El Niño.  El Niño leads to warmer waters along the coasts of central and South America.  But when you look at typical El Niño patterns, it often correlates to warmer waters along the west coast of the US, too.

An El Niño event typically lasts for 9-12 months.  The Pacific Decadal Oscillation is like a long-term El Niño (hence the name "decadal"), and right now we're in the warm phase.  Both can have a big impact on climate and weather in the US, as well as on our oceans.  So between the two, waters along the Pacific Coast of the US are about 3-4° F above average.

Despite some "crabby" west-coasters (I had to say it) - I hope everyone had a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Want to know more?  Leave your comments here, find me on Facebook and Twitter, or email me at rkaye@wmbd.com.

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A Lesson from Norway - Embracing Winter

The days are short, the nights are long, and the cold is oppressive.  Welcome to Winter.

I'm writing this post with my feet curled up under me, a scarf around my neck, and dreams of turning the heat on... even though the thermostat still claims it's 70 degrees in my apartment.  I'm cold-blooded, and I know I'm not alone.  Add the fact that it's getting dark before 5pm, and everything is that much harder to handle.

But I recently came across an article called "The Norwegian Secret to Enjoying a Long Winter."  I'm not sure it offers much solace for me, but I found it interesting to hear that the Norwegian culture has adapted to survive the dark months without widespread depression.

How do they do it?

The article references Stanford University PhD student Kari Leibowitz, who spent a year in Tromso - on an island in far northern Norway, just above the Arctic Circle.  From late November to early January, the sun never rises.  It's a part of the world I always thought would be fascinating to experience... but also very sad.

In fact, SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder, is a type of depression that people commonly experience in the winter.  But Leibowitz didn't find it to be very prevalent in Norway.  She says people there learned to be happy despite the winter.  How?  Three key points.  1) Enjoy the beauty of the season.  2) Keep cozy.  3) Participate in winter activities (like skiing and ice skating).

Staying cozy is probably the easiest thing to do no matter where you're suffering through the cold.  You don't need mountains or snow or a great view.  You just need somewhere warm to curl up.  Light some candles, grab a blanket and a good book, and heat up some hot cocoa.

But there are other things Norwegians have grown up thinking and doing to help them cope.  Vitamin D is a nutrient our bodies absorb from the sunlight, but there are other sources, including fish.  With a long coastline, it's no surprise Norwegians eat a lot of fish.  But beyond that, Cod Liver Oil is apparently a common supplement for kids.  In fact, the website My Little Norway says it's something child health centers teach new mothers.  Now... I'm not saying I'm about to go out and buy a bottle of Cod Liver Oil to sip on until March.  I'm sure a spoonful would be hard to swallow.  But in Norway, it's a part of the culture and how they've learned to deal with their climate.


Of course, the article also says exercise and fresh air are good for you, as long as you dress in enough layers.  School kids still go outside for recess when there's snow on the ground and the skies are dark!

But my favorite piece of advice?  To still see the light.

There's light in the city and in our homes. It may be artificial, but there's a beauty to it nonetheless.  Even in the summer, I would say a city skyline lit up at night is more magical than the grey and brown buildings you see in the daylight.  And when it comes to snow, the white reflects the light and brightens things up even more.

Perhaps most importantly, kids in Norway aren't afraid of the dark.  It's a part of their daily life.  And it can be a beautiful one.

Want to know more?  Leave your comments here, find me on Facebook and Twitter, or email me at rkaye@wmbd.com.


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Pasta, Sauce, & the Weather of Italy

There's something to be said for fresh home-made spaghetti.  Linguine, penne... you name it, I'll eat it.  But if you visit Italy, put your taste buds to the test, and see if you can tell what role the climate plays in your food.

Italy is over 700 miles long, giving the northern and southern ends distinctly different weather patterns.  Northern Italy is nestled into the mountains of the Alps, bringing the land a much harsher winter.  Central and southern Italy, on the other hand, are warmer and moderated by the surrounding Mediterranean.

So what does that have to do with pasta?  Blogger Jovina Coughlin says that traditionally, noodles like spaghetti and rigatoni are best made in the south, where the warmer weather helps to dry them out.  In the cooler climate of the north, fresh pastas like pappardelle and ravioli are more popular.  So are hearty meals with gnocchi and risotto.

Now what about the sauce for your pasta?  Italian "Extra Virgin Olive Oil" is a staple in  central and southern Italy, where olive trees thrive on the warmer weather.  Tomatoes are also best grown in those regions - the main ingredient for some of the best tomato sauce you'll find anywhere in the world (objectively speaking, of course).  Historically the north uses more butter and wine-based sauces, with simple chopped herbs to add flavor.

In fact, Italians are known for letting ingredients speak for themselves, and what better way than to use something fresh grown in the climate of the region.  Of course these days (with modern technology and accessibility), you can find just about any Italian dish anywhere in the country, and it's sure to be fantastic!

Want to know more?  Leave your comments here, find me on Facebook and Twitter, or email me at rachael.kaye@fox6now.com.

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