Albuquerque local food

Here are a few products that don't fit in the other categories for one reason or another, but which you may enjoy.

AGAVE NECTAR

This interesting sweetener is made from agave cactus and has a relatively low glycemic index (32, versus at least 80 for other sweeteners). It can be produced without chemicals and in parts of our landscape that aren't good for other kinds of agriculture. And, it's delicious. It comes in a dark form, great as a pancake syrup and for baking, and a light form with a more delicate flavor. Neither form has any acrid or off flavor, as molasses can. It's available at La Montanita Co-op, and probably at a lot of other shops, since word is speading.

     Check out  the granola and gingerbread recipes on my recipes page, and if you find that you;re buying  a lot of agave nectar  talk to the Bulk Products manager at La Montanita Co-op and arrange to buy a gallon jug. I paid about $40 for a gallon. which is quite a bargain.

Terrasorb hydrogel

This is a water-holding polymer which can be mixed into the soil to help retain water. It cannot be considered organic, and you'll need to read about it and decide for yourself whether you want to use it. It can be very helpful in helping expensive dwarf fruit trees get settled in. or protecting young seedlings in small pots or flats.

The brand name is important, because many products of this type break down to sodium products, which do great harm in our already saline soil. Terrasorb breaks down to potassium products, which can benefit plants.

The ads say that it lasts 4-5 years in the soil, but in our fierce sunlight, 1-2 years is more like it.