(02-15-2023, 08:22 PM)Ninurta Wrote: Food storage - pemmican.Thanks for the vids mate. Learned a lot. To put you in the picture of where I'm at and why I'm into a bit of preservation and calling on your knowledge. We might need to begin with a few of Aussie sayings.
And a low-tech version (bonus: cooking with pemmican):
.
There are a lot of YouTube videos dealing with pemmican. The ones that come to mind most are on Townsend's channel and the Tasting History channel.
One thing to remember is that it can be dual-use, just like jerky and pinole. back in the day, it was carried on trips, and could be eaten on the run or cooked at camp into various stews and soupe, the water serving to extned the ingredients and allowing them to meld together.
Pinole is another sort of "travel food" made by the Indians. It consists of parched corn coated in a wet sugar, such as molasss, honey, or maple syrup, Then dried to create a crusty coating. I think it was the inspiration for the original "Cracker Jacks". It had the same uses as described above for pemmican. Pinole is, I think, the Mexican indian name for it, and I can't recall at the moment what North American tribes called it - but it is the same thing, in any language.
ETA: I have used a regular oven before to dry the meat rather than a fancy dehydrator, which I do not have. I'd slice it thin the beat it flat, and place it on the over rack to dry, running the oven at about 175 degrees F for a couple hours with the over door cracked open to allow the escape of the moisture. That usually did the trick to turn it into a dried out, crackly version of jerky that could be pounded into powder.
.
Caveat - I do not post this with thoughts of "Oh gee" poor you.
I call my land a 'selection'. A selection goes back to the early 1800's when the British Gov let 'freemen' (ex con) and 'squatters' select a parcel of land to improve. The book - 'On our selection' aptly describes these circumstances and you can look it up on Wikipedia. I purchased my lot/selection/land and have title. But still call it a 'selection'. An old Aussie saying.
I refer to myself as having 'currency'. or born into a 'currency' lifestyle. So 'Currency Lad', another book is where I am coming from.
In saying this my selection was purchased after retiring. It's mine and 'true loves'. 'True love' in aussie slang means me and the 'missus for life'. A genuine partner and 'battler'. 'Battler' is a term for a person who endures all odds.
Now our selection is a special parcel of land and covers 109 acres. The house was built on site utilising native timbers some of which I find quite unique. It is built on a slope and has 4 levels. One of which is slowly sinking. (I have to adjust that when I get motivated). Back drop is hills, a small valley with permanent water. (I hate fetching). 3 dams, coop, and a couple sheds.
We have lived here 10 years. In 2019 the bushfires hit, records temps and dryness. By this time I had the property set up with a couple of pumps and firefighting hoses. We had cleared the over grown bush back from the house environs. I could see it coming so I sent 'true love' (Truey as I call her) out with the pets. She travelled 35 kilometers away to be sure. I spent that afternoon and all night till dawn the next day putting out the flames. Lost my 4 x 4, boat, carport, 2 story cabin with belongings, machinery shed, all machinery, another car right up until the fire entered the house and the roof and verandah. When the hoses and poly pipes burnt through I was then bucketting water from a trough. onto the floor, roof and timber back verandah. Thank goodness for dawn.
"Knackered" A term for being at the end of one's ability. And I was. No more water, nothing (power or gas). The house was still smoldering on the outside and I had to 'fetch' water from a dam in buckets to put the flamin remnants out. The house at least was saved. Everything was scorched right up to the surrounds. 85 other houses and properties were lost around me. That morning at 8am is another story suffice to say I don't want to go through that another time. That was 2019. Since then we have had a flood shortly after which washed away the ash and top soils. Then another downpour which didn't help. After that a mouse plague (2 months, couldn't stop the buggers) and more floods. So, I'm not looking for any sympathy. I was calling out through Ninurta so I can prep and am particularly interested to preserve meat long time.
I am in the process of putting together an underground 'larder' where I can store for such emergencies as they occur. A shelter if you may. So I am interested in any suggestions that may be forth comimg from the other side of the globe.
Preserving meat is difficult. I have a lot of the other essentials stored. Call me a prepper but I'm not that to the extent that it is the be all and end all. I focus on other things daily.
Points to be considered. I can own a gun or 2 legally. As such I must have an approved safe. Any guns possessed must have legitimate reasons. Each weapons needs to be registered and if I want to buy a new rifle I need to undertake a 24 day 'cooling off' period. I need a proof of purchase and proof of safe storage which will include an approved firearms safe and another for storage of ammunition. These are inspected at intervals. I cannot carry any firearm in a public place open or otherwise unless being taken to a gunsmith for repair or for legitimate sporting club use.
I cannot possess animal traps. Even for rabbits. I cannot posses a crossbow. I'm allowed to buy a bow and arrows but can't carry them without a legitimate reason. Since the bushfires I can't even light a fire without informing the 'fire control' authority. I cannot fell a tree without a permit outlining a legitimate reason. I cannot carry a pocket knife publically without a legitimate reason. I can't even carry on my person or in my car a knife without legitimate excuse.
So in this way we (true love and I adjust). We are not allowed to erect another building on our selection without going through the processes of District Council approvals, including a development application with building specs, where, when etc. Notification to neighbours. Neighbours approvals. This is 109 acres in the bush, go figure.
So, brings me to the OP. Thanks Nin. All I can do is go down
and build a larder under the house. Maybe a bit away as the house is timber. Still deciding where. Hence. I'm looking at storing food and meat is an obstacle for long term. My project late in life. Younger ones don't seem to give an F so I'll return that if needs be.Sorry for the lengthy explanation and as I've alluded to, I'm looking for practical suggestions and not a communion or empathy. Just want to put shit right.
Kind regards as always to readers and others,
Bally of the bush )