Mud Cookies

[Robbien]

A traditional Haitian remedy for hunger pangs

Mud cookies are all the rage in Haiti today—a rage sparked by soaring food prices. The cookies, a traditional remedy for hunger pangs and a source of calcium for pregnant women, have become a staple because food is simply unaffordable for impoverished Haitians. With food prices showing no signs of leveling off, more and more Haitians are likely to rely on the biscuits for their nutritional needs—and the rage is likely to grow.

The cookies are easy to make. The main ingredient, an edible clay from Haiti’s Central Plateau, is abundant, and salt and vegetable shortening are added in quantities that vary according to affordability. The cookies are then left out in the sun to bake. Besides being filling, they are dirt-cheap.

At least they have been up until now. The clay that is used to make the cookies is rapidly going up in price due to increasing demand. It now costs about five dollars to make 100 cookies, so even the “cookie jar” is out of reach of many Haitians

http://thepinehillsnews.com/wp/2008/07/30/how-to-make-mud-cookies/

I understand that these dirt cookies are sold by street vendors in Haiti. And now eating dirt is too pricey for the poor?

[ColbertWatcher]

File photo...

[Robbien]

4. Interesting

Thanks for the pic. Mud cookies as far as the eyes can see.

The whole idea is just overwhelming.

[ColbertWatcher]

5. It is.

Another DUer has written some interesting things about the subject of food as a market commodity.

Maybe she'll check in?

[whistle]

1. Is that a reTHUGlicon foreign food aid program?

[lonestarnot]

2. Selling dirt now? Who controls the dirt?

[TexasObserver]

3. But this Christian nation can spend $10 billion a month to occupy another country

Shame on our country, for having such poor values. We talk a great game of compassion, but then spend it all on Hummers and mideast oil.

It's shameful that people over whom we have regularly asserted dominion, miles from our shores, are eating mud pies.

[Liberal_in_LA]

6. OMG. tragic