By GRAYSON THOBE
Yes, Beloit used to have a cannabis club (RIP. get it? because bongs?). Back in the 70s, groups of Beloit students used meet up to talk about everything so great about ganja, and experience that greatness for themselves.
The physical and mental health benefits, the many uses of hemp, and all those nice feelings weed gives you when it’s in your system. They discussed legalization, how to make it acceptable to the public, and if smoking is permissible in Christianity. Their conclusion: it is!
Did you know that hemp is mentioned in Genesis, and that Cana (part of the holy land) and cannabis share a root word? Sharing information and being a positive force is an important part of a club that centers around an illegal drug, but they were also in it for fun. T
hey made a whole recipe book full of hemp seed recipes (though, perhaps they used other parts of the plant in these foods as well). Most of these are vegetarian, since the free thinkers of that time usually smoked weed instead of eating meat as a political statement and for the health benefits.
It’s also designed well and printed on very nice paper, and each page is complete with whimsical ink drawings in the corners and on the borders of the recipes, bringing to mind the food they made when the club was still running.
Pictured, we have their recipe for Mushroom Gravy, and their Nutty Hemp Seed and Walnut Loaf, but there was also porridge, tofu burgers, multi-grain bread, and cookies!
These recipes were created by the members of this club, and long-since graduated members of the college, and we still have them in our archives (though, you’ll have to wait until they reopen to go look at the original booklet.) Until then, here are a few you can try out for yourself!
Nutty Hemp Seed & Walnut Loaf
Saute In 2 T. Olive Oil
1 c. herbs, chopped (oregano, cilantro, parsley, basil; any or all)
1 lb. onions, chopped
1 c. mushrooms, chopped
1 c. carrots, chopped
1 c. cabbage, chard, zucchini, or other seasonal veggies, chopped
½ c. celery, chopped
4 cloves garlic, crushed
ADD & MIX TOGETHER
1 c. hemp seed meal
3 c. walnuts
1 c. cooked rice (part wild rice is nice)
3 T. tamari or soy sauce
1 lb. tofu, mashed
½ c. nutritional yeast
Press into the 9”x13” baking dish. Sprinkle with thick layer of nutritional yeast. BAKE for 35 minutes at 325°. BAKE at 300° if you are using with mushroom gravy. Recipe —–>
OPTIONAL ADDITIONS
1 c. cheddar cheese, shredded
4-6 eggs, beaten
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