Pickled Carrot Sticks

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             FOOD FUNNY
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Thanks to Jo Wake for this classic food funny:

Recently I received a parrot as a gift. The parrot has had a bad
attitude and an even worse vocabulary. Every word out of the bird's
mouth is rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity. I've tried and tried
to change the bird's attitude by consistently saying only polite words,
playing soft music and anything else I can think of to "clean up" the
bird's vocabulary. Finally, fed up, I yelled at the parrot. The parrot
yelled back. I shook the parrot and the parrot got angrier and even
ruder. So, in desperation, I threw up my hands, grabbed the bird and put
him in the freezer. For a few minutes the parrot squawked and kicked and screamed.

Then suddenly there was total quiet. Not a peep was heard for over a minute.

Fearing that I'd hurt the parrot, I quickly opened the door to the
freezer. The parrot calmly stepped out into my outstretched arms and
said, "I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and
actions. I'm sincerely remorseful for my inappropriate transgressions
and I fully intend to do everything I can to correct my rude and unforgivable behavior."

I was stunned at the change in the bird's attitude. As I was about to
ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his behavior, the
bird continued, "May I ask what the turkey did?"

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             TODAY'S RECIPE
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These carrot sticks make a colorful and tasty addition to a salad plate
or can be eaten out of hand for a healthy snack.

Pickled Carrot Sticks

1 lb (450 g) carrots, peeled and cut into sticks
3/4 cup (180 ml) water
3/4 cup (180 ml) cider vinegar
1/2 cup (125 ml) sugar
1 tsp (5 ml) mixed pickling spices

Boil the carrots in salted water for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, combine the
remaining ingredients in a separate pot and boil for 3 minutes. Drain
the carrot sticks and pack them into sterilized jars. Cover with the hot
liquid, seal the jars, and process in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes.
Makes about 1 quart (1 L).
Received on Wed Nov 26 19:13:15 2008