somehow, i think i'll still try and stay away..prison food in NH

[Guest guest]

5 questions about prison cuisine

 

By JOELLE FARRELL

Monitor staff

 

 

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December 20. 2007 12:31AM

 

 

 

 

Some men may scoff at veggie burgers or the tofurkey, but a good number of the

inmates at the state prison happily gobble down meatless fare. This week, the

New Hampshire State Prison placed fifth on PETA's top 10 list of

vegetarian-friendly prison systems. (Idaho, which offers vegan hotcakes and

pizza, took first.)

 

The prison has offered vegetarian meals for more than 20 years, and meat-free

options include chili, chop suey, shepherd's pie, lentil meatballs and grilled

tofu sandwiches, among others. We spoke with Jeff Perkins, director of food

services at the prison.

 

First of all, congratulations. Thank you, but I'm not sure we want to advertise

this. We don't want them coming back.

 

How many vegetarians and vegans do you have? Have those numbers changed much

over the years? They've gone up, definitely. We have between 60 and 70

vegetarians, no vegans.

 

How do you choose what items to offer? They were approved by a dietician for the

proteins so that they get the correct amount of calories and nutrients each day.

 

Are there meals inmates like best? We do make a lot of products out of the

textured vegetable protein; if you mix them with vegetables for a stir fry, you

can melt cheese on them. We buy some vegetarian items like chicken nuggets - we

call them chicken nuggets but they're veggie products - and veggie riblets with

barbecue sauce on them. They're pretty good. I eat them.

 

Have you tried any recipes that were later rejected? We had broccoli cheese

pockets years ago. They painted the dining room with them.

 

JOELLE FARRELL

 

 

 

 

Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.

Confucius