Food Production with the Family

Olive oil distribution facility - the kitchen

Adnan got an order for olive oil that the family has made from their olive farm. He, with the help of Fatima and Aysha, is bottling up 52 5 liter containers to sell.  The olive oil is stored next to the refrigerator, in a container that holds over 200 liters. 

 Another evening of grilling on the roof.  This time, Mark introduced pork ribs to the family.  The women squirmed and said they couldnt imaging eating pork.  They grew up with cultural beliefs that pork was an unhealthy food.  This pig was killed by a family friend who shared it with us - and it was delicious!   Adnan is the grill master in training, but is also grilling chicken pieces for the squeamish of the family. 

Mark is helping to make pepper paste.  It is the pepper version of tomato paste and starts with the peppers the family picks in their pepper field.  The peppers are cut up and seeded, then boiled.  The cooked peppers are then broken down with an industrial strength food processes (rotor blade hooked up to the drill in a paint bucket).  

Once the pepper sauce is smooth, momma squeezes the pepper through a colander to remove the remaining skin and seeds.  What is left is a wet pepper sauce is placed in a cotton cloth bag for a couple of days to drain most of the liquid.  Once drained, the wet paste is spread on a tray and placed in the sun (sun-dried) to remove more liquid.  Note that there is no cover on the tray.  I realized this while I was brushing my hair in the morning, causing me to move to another location to prevent my hair from joining the paste for a whole new dimension of pepper paste.   The paste is then ready to store...and for us to take home!