Shine On

September 26, 2015

“For this is what America is all about.  It is the uncrossed desert and the unclimbed ridge.  It is the star that is not reached and the harvest that is sleeping in the unplowed ground.”
~ Lyndon B. Johnson

A full Moon symbolizes potential realized, a dream fulfilled and a harvest ready to be gathered.

Earlier this week we welcomed Autumn, the season of the harvest.  Sunday night (or Monday morning, for those in Europe), we will be treated to a very special lunar event.  This year’s Harvest Moon will be a Super Moon.  To make the event even more spectacular, there will also be a total Lunar Eclipse.

The Harvest Moon is the full Moon that happens closest to the Autumnal Equinox, the first day of the fall season in the northern hemisphere.  Many crops ripen during this time of year and farmers often have to work to harvest their crops into the night. Long ago, before electricity was discovered and light bulbs were invented,  farmers relied on moonlight to guide them while they worked.  Thus, the first full Moon of autumn was named the “Harvest Moon”.

During a full Moon, the Sun and Moon are opposite each other.  During a Lunar Eclipse, the Earth stands between the two, blocking the Moon’s view of the Sun.  If you were on the Moon during this time, the Earth would appear black as it blocked the Sun’s light, creating a ring of red light around it.  Since we are on the Earth, looking at the Moon, we will see this red light reflected onto the Moon as it passes through the Earth’s shadow.  At 9:07 p.m. Eastern Time/6:07 p.m. Pacific Time on the evening of September 27, the Earth’s shadow will begin to move across the Moon.  At about 10:11 Eastern Time/7:11 Pacific, the Moon will be completely enveloped by our planet’s shadow.  The Moon will appear red for about an hour and 12 minutes.

This full Moon will also be a “Super Moon” because its opposition to the Sun will occur at the point of its orbit that is closest to the Earth, making it look much bigger in our sky.  In fact, the Super Moon will appear to be 12% to 14% larger than its counterpart, the Micro Moon (the part of its orbit when it is furthest from Earth).

A waxing moon symbolizes potential.  The Full Moon represents the fulfillment of that potential.  If you happen to be watching the lunar event from California, dance around a bit under this very special moonlight; we could use some rain.

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On a recent trip to Italy, I discovered As do Mar tuna, 100% processed in Italy.  This tuna is so delicious it needs no seasoning, just dump over some greens or scoop up with some crackers and enjoy.  As do Mar tuna is also Friend of the Sea certified sustainable seafood.  I love this tuna so much that, after I returned from my trip, I broke my 3 years of being “Amazon free” to order a case.  You can find it at specialty shops that carry foods imported from Italy.  If you take a trip to Italy, bring some home with you!  Visit asdomar.it for info.

Here in the States, the Tuna Guys (tunaguys.net) tuna is caught and processed completely in the USA, in the Pacific Northwest.  It is pole-caught and was rated “Best Choice” for sustainability by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch.  It is sensational.  Shout out to my friend Bonnie for introducing me to Tuna Guys tuna.

American Tuna is pole-caught and 100% traceable back to the vessel that caught it.  Caught in the Pacific Northwest and packed by hand in Oregon, you can find it at Whole Foods markets (americantuna.com).

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Use your favorite sustainably-caught gourmet tuna for Tuna and Arugula Bruschetta.

Tuna and Arugula Bruschetta
The quality of ingredients will make this dish.  Make sure to use delicious, fresh bread, good quality extra virgin California olive oil, and sustainably-caught gourmet tuna in olive oil.

For each serving you will need:

1 piece of sourdough bread or Italian bread, about 7″ x 4″
(or two smaller pieces)

One fresh clove of garlic, cut in half
Extra virgin olive oil, for brushing
A handful of arugula leaves
One small (80g) can gourmet tuna in olive oil
Or
1/2 of a large can (6 oz/170g)

Spanish smoked paprika, to sprinkle

 

Grill or toast bread on both sides.

Rub surface of bread all over with cut side of garlic clove.  Discard leftover clove.

Place a generous handful of arugula over the bread.

Spoon the tuna along with its oil over the arugula.

Sprinkle a bit of smoked paprika over the tuna.

Serve immediately.  Yum!

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