#My Life as a Zucchini : Courgette

[schwarzfee]

[basketcasemp3]

we're all the same. there's nobody left to love us. ma vie de courgette / my life as a zucchini (2016) dir. claude barras

[amtskind]

a while ago i watched "my life as a zucchini" (ma vie de courgette, 2016) - a movie that honestly broke me, but that's not the point.

i spotted a little girl reading franz kafka's metamorphosis.

[gerandor]

i was talking about “my life as a zucchini” to a friend which i had watched years ago and googled the pics to show her and i saw this lucy character and realized she looked so much like sanji

[cinematicmasterpiece]

ma vie de courgette (2016)

[zamava]

Ma vie de Courgette (2016)

[video-recipes]

Courgette & butterbean bowl

Sophsplantkitchen on tiktok

INGREDIENTS

2 × large courgettes, cut in half and then into wonky triangles

8-10 cloves garlic

5 tbsp good quality extra virgin olive oil

Salt and pepper

2 × 400g tins of pre cooked organic butterbeans + their stock (the water in the can)

For the cashew cream, blend:

1 cup of soaked cashews or sunflower seeds

3 tbsp nooch

Juice of one lemon

1/2 tsp salt

Ground black pepper

2 garlic cloves

Around 60-80ml of water for blending consistency

To serve:

Crunchy nutty breadcrumbs (1 slice of bread and 1 handful of almonds whizzed up in a blender, fried in olive oil, salt and garlic powder until crispy. Let rest on a plate lined with kitchen roll until ready to use)

Fresh basil

Lemon zest

[luminities]

Zucchini icons

[pualazzz]

I watched this movie today and I really liked the kids' designs :]

[heylavellan]

Hello!!! Happy Friday 💕 I saw the lack of sleep starters and I feel like they were *made* for Lucanis?? So, if you're feeling it, "I promise, I'm fine. I just look tired a lot, thanks to... the tiredness." for him and your Rook maybe?

lucanis really needs sleep 😭😭

so, some veilguard spoilers for today's @dadrunkwriting

sous chef,

rating: t

words: 1250

notes: uses spanish as antivan. crow rook! antonio is nonbinary and uses they/them.

They were politely ignoring each other, both pretending to not be Crows for a bit. Lucanis heard them enter around five minutes ago and when he left the pantry he was likely listening to Antonio's breathing pattern. As practiced as they were in faking sleep, the breathing rhythm was the hardest to get right. He definitely knew that they were awake and nearby, the same way that they had listened to him pace in the pantry for a few minutes and have a hushed conversation with Spite.

It was nice to pretend that, for just a bit, they both weren't trained killers, trying to kill gods to prevent the end of the world. Just a qunari and a not-quite-abomination.

In the kitchen, life was predictable. Chopping vegetables, boiling water, frying food or baking bread. Consistent sounds, safe sounds. No darkspawn, no venatori, no antaam. Just Rook's new family.

They were dragged out of the peaceful reverie when Lucanis hissed. All pretense of being asleep was cast aside and Rook crossed the room to his side. A quick examination found his hand in theirs. "You don't have to-” he began before Antonio shushed him.

They pressed a kiss to the side of his finger, where the knife had sliced off some skin. The air around them cooled as they channeled magic through their lips, to staunch the bleeding. "That should help until you can get it properly treated," Rook interrupted, squeezing his hand. "The little cuts always sting like a bitch."

"Got tired of playing two Crows in the kitchen?" he teased, though something felt off in his voice. His heart wasn't behind it. Lucanis squeezed their hand back, drawing their gaze to his eyes. Ah.

Antonio cupped his cheek, running their thumb along his cheekbones. The bags were dark under his eyes. "I'm just making sure that my big bad demon is taking care of himself," they responded, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "Besides killing gods, he's the only one here who makes good coffee."

Lucanis stifled a laugh and kissed the palm of their hand. A clever distraction, which got him out of their grasp. "Oi, querido. I'm not a chef like you, but I can follow instructions. You're gonna hurt yourself," Antonio scolded, gently pushing him aside.

He tried one more time to return to the cutting board, but Rook kept him out of the way. "If you don't tell me what to do, I will find a way to burn pasta and ruin your hard work," they threatened. The look of horror on his face told Rook they won him over.

"The pepper and...," Lucanis paused as he looked for the word. He gestured to the long dark green vegetable he previously set aside.

"Zucchini. Nearly ruined a contract in Orlais by calling them that. Orlesians call them courgettes," Rook responded, carefully slicing the peppers into thin ribbons and then into small cubes.

"The pepper and zucchinis need to be cut small. Bellara won't eat them otherwise. Throw them in the pot when you're finished," he instructed.

A few moments passed before they heard Lucanis shuffling around, presumably making himself a cup of coffee. "Is diablillo causing problems again?" Rook asked.

"Toño..." he warned, before grinding the coffee beans. They let the noises of the kitchen fill the air. Antonio was more than happy to just be near him.

Once they finished chopping the pepper, they scraped it into the pot. As they began to chop the zucchini, Lucanis decided he wanted to respond: "I promise, I'm fine. I just look tired a lot, thanks to... the tiredness."

They removed the stem of the zucchini and began the work of finely slicing it. "And not because you're worried about Spite?" they queried.

The scent of the rich coffee wafted through the kitchen, cutting through the earthy scent of vegetables on the hob. They saw a cup set down on the far end of the counter in the periphery of their vision. Even through the ambience of the kitchen, they heard him take a sip of coffee. They smiled to themself. The little things.

"You know that if I fall asleep it will cause problems," he complained. They imagined he was scowling at his coffee. Probably gesturing a bit with the cup as well, having some sort of conversation with Spite. "Besides, I would rather you spend your time with me instead of Spite."

"And you should know better Lucanis," they chided, scraping the cut zucchini into the pot. "Diablillo is part of you. Taash and I are good at handling it. Neve and Bellara probably wouldn't mind pitching in."

Rook set down the knife and wiped their hands on the towel hung from Lucanis' waist. "I worry about you," they confessed, reaching for their coffee. "I'd be happier if you slept."

The next few moments were spent sipping coffee, side by side, the quiet simmer of the soup their back drop. "You, uh, probably should stir the pot," Lucanis eventually suggested. Rook nodded, setting their coffee down and moving to follow his instructions.

They pursed their lips and removed the lid, stirring the contents to ensure nothing stuck to the bottom. Focusing on the flame, they reduced the heat a bit. This little bit, they could do.

It seemed that easing his worries about Spite wasn't on the table. But they knew all it took was one mission going wrong. Varric was out of commission and they had to take charge. That tired, Lucanis was vulnerable in battle. His reactions were slower. With a taunt from the wrong opponent, Spite could escape his grip and do something Lucanis would regret.

These were consequences Lucanis would face. But it still tore Antonio up inside. "Mi luz, I'm sorry," Lucanis whispered. They must have started crying. He was holding them close, wiping tears from their face.

"I just worry about you. I know you're capable. I know you're strong. I just... I care Lucanis. That's the hard part," they sniffled. Being with Lucanis would have been easier if they treated it like a contract. Or like a way to burn off energy. But no, they got invested in his wellbeing.

Lucanis pulled them closer, burying himself into their shoulder. They wished, briefly, they were much shorter so Lucanis could engulf them. However, that would reduce the amount of blushing looks from him as he got caught staring at their chest.

"You know my mind, tesoro. You saw my doubts and fears and you soothed them. You saw how ugly it was," he declared.

Antonio interrupted, "S'not ugly." Sure, it was intense. But it was Lucanis unfiltered. They imagined most folks would have a messy mind.

"You're wrong. It's ugly in there. I'm still unwinding everything," he insisted.

"When I said I couldn't stand the thought of anything happening to you, I meant it. I want to be there. I want to help," they said as they caught their breath.

"You're impossible," he grumbled, before leaning foreward to kiss them. He had to get on his tiptoes until Antonio craned their neck down for him. Sweet, quick, close.

When they pulled apart, Rook whispered, "I've heard being held can help you fall asleep."

Lucanis laughed as he planted one more kiss against Antonio's lips. "I hate that Spite is agreeing with you right now," he chuckled.

"It's gonna find out really quickly that I'm really boring," they smirked. "Now how long do I have you before dinner is ready?

[schwarzfee]

[animatejournal]

My Life as a Zucchini (Ma vie de Courgette) Director: Claude Barras | France, 2016

[iboatedhere]

(more thanks to @pragmatic-optimist @welcometololaland & @rmd-writes)

---

Henry fiddles with the tap, turning the water temperature down from scalding hot to just piping hot while the biodegradable sponge Alex insists they buy crumbles into nothing in his hand. 

He sighs and rinses the mug before setting it on the rack to dry, turning off the water, and leaning against the sink, looking out into the expanse of their backyard.

“Penny for your thoughts, sweetheart?” Alex asks from the table and Henry turns. 

“Do you think we should be growing our own food?” 

Wide eyed, Alex looks from the strip of bacon in hand to Henry and back again.

“I was talking about vegetables, darling.”

“Oh! Ha! Thank fuck,” he says as he shoves the last bite into his mouth. “Because you know I would get attached to that thing as soon as its little swine-eyes found mine and I could never…” He trails off and drags his finger across his throat. “You know.”

“I do,” Henry tells him. “Would it be enough to turn you into a vegetarian?”

“Hell no, but I would probably switch to turkey bacon. I’ve had enough of those feathery fucks to last the rest of my life.” He stands with his plate and coffee mug then nudges Henry out of the way so he can clean up after himself. “You want to start a garden?”

“We have all this land we're not using and who knows how long it’ll take the renovation permits on the shelter to come through. I have a bit of spare time.”

Alex eyes him warily and Henry pretends he doesn’t notice. 

“I was thinking I’d start with the basics…tomatoes, cucumber, courgettes…”

“That’s zucchini, right?”

Henry rolls his eyes fondly. “If you want to be American about it.”

“Well, since we’re in America. I think a garden would be nice. You gotta be careful though, my abuela had one and she was overrun with vegetables. She canned and pickled everything and still couldn’t keep up. She’d pay me and June ten dollars to go around to her neighbors trying to offload peppers because it was impossible to say no to two cute kids.”

“I’m sure I could find a food bank that would take them.”

“I’m sure you could,” Alex agrees before swaying into him. “Are you okay?”

Henry gives him a smile that must look as weak as it feels and Alex presses his lips together and tips his head to the side, giving Henry his best puppy-dog eyes.

“It’s just…you know,” Henry says because Alex does know and Henry doesn’t want to be the one to say it. 

The anniversary of his father’s death looms, the same way it does every year, but every year there seems to be more for Henry to mourn. 

His father never got to meet Alex. He never got to see how full of love Henry’s life is now. How happy he is. He’ll never set foot in this home or see the garden Henry wants to plant or hold the future children they might have.

Henry’s love for Alex grows with every passing day but there’s still a corner of his heart that is gray with grief that no amount of early morning kisses or late night conversations out on the porch will color.

“Baby,” Alex says, leaning in and pressing a kiss to Henry’s shoulder. He can’t mourn the way Henry does, but Henry knows he tries to shoulder the weight of it even if he can’t quite fit his arms around it. “You know it’s okay to slow down and relax.”

“Plenty of people find gardening relaxing.”

Alex sighs, the same way he always does when he knows he’s been beaten at his own game and pulls back. 

“Okay,” he says, “I can duck out of work early and we can hit up the nursery–.”

“Oh no,” Henry interrupts. “I’m not letting you anywhere near my garden.”

Alex blinks at him. “Excuse me?”

“You, my love, have what I believe they call a black thumb.”

“That’s a fucking lie, I do not.”

“You somehow managed to kill a cactus.”

“That thorny piece of shit had it out for me.”

“Of course, love,” Henry says, gathering Alex’s face between his hands, “whatever you say.”

[onenakedfarmer]

Watching

MA VIE DE COURGETTE [MY LIFE AS A ZUCCHINI] Claude Barras France, 2016

[therewithacamera]

I grew courgettes this year. I bought one (1) plant and despite the shit weather in the UK, I got four (4) LARGE courgettes from it SO FAR. It is still putting those things out. I have given all my neighbours courgettes big enough to be human babies. I have eaten enough courgette that I will be sick of it for life (just kidding, I'm going to grow it again next year). I have made fried courgette, courgette cake, courgette soup, ratatouille, anything you can think of making with courgette/zucchini, I have made it. And I still have more left over. So yeah, these brownies are absolutely not a health thing. Also, the recipe I use for those brownies uses more sugar and chocolate than regular brownies so it's really not healthier (not that it matters to me lmao).

[tadpolesonalgae]

Hey Tabby! how was your day?

So this isn't exactly ACOTAR related but I also hope it's nothing personal?

I'm guessing you're from England as you often time your posts to England time and I'm terribly curious about all things around the world and I find it soo soo interesting how easy it is—in this day and age—to sort of just communicate with all kinds of people around the world? and I love seeing the confusion between Americans and Brits when it comes to a lot of things, especially food(I really like those videos on yt where some British students try American food, albeit I'm not on yt much and have only watched like 2 or 3 of those) and I saw a short today about this dish called 'beans on toast' I believe? and someone in the comment section genuinely thought beans on toast meant plain beans on plain bread for some reason and so many Americans in the replies were kinda surprised that's not what it was? and it was kinda hilarious tbh ngl. and out of nowhere, you popped up in my mind fsr?

however, I really like learning about all these foods and dishes that are so commonplace for one set of people and never even touched by another? (in 2 decades of my life, I've never had pancakes😭 I've only ever read about them as one of the greatest breakfasts on Wattpad)

I was wondering if you have a comfort food that you like eating when you're down? do you enjoy certain cuisines? Are you ever astonished that someone in the world hasn't tasted a certain food and that they simply must? do you like beans on toast? fish and chips?(I'm sorry these are the only English dishes Ik TT)

—🫀

‘I'm guessing you're from England as you often time your posts to England’

I am indeed from England 🫢

‘and I love seeing the confusion between Americans and Brits when it comes to a lot of things, especially food’

I haven’t seen those videos, but I’ve seen ones where people compare English and American for other words like pavement vs. sidewalk, courgette vs. zucchini, aubergine vs. eggplant, and some others I can’t remember at the moment! I think I’ve also seen some where Americans react to Cockney rhyming slang, as well as some expressions/idioms which was pretty entertaining 🤭

‘and I saw a short today about this dish called 'beans on toast' I believe?’

GIRL I'VE JUST MADE DINNER AND IT'S BEANS ON TOAST

I fully squawked and had to put my phone down when l read that 😭

‘and someone in the comment section genuinely thought beans on toast meant plain beans on plain bread’

I mean, everyone has different ways, but I know one of my friends freaked out when they found out I put the cheese on top of the butter but beneath the beans so it melts and becomes soft and stringy 🫢

‘(in 2 decades of my life, I've never had pancakes😭 I've only ever read about them as one of the greatest breakfasts on Wattpad)’

Honestly I think it’s one of those things relating to association? Idk what it’s like outside of England, but in primary school (roughly ages 4-11) we always had pancake races on pancake day, and during assembly we would have pancake flipping challenges too (to be fair, it was a C of E school, so maybe that affected it a little) so there are a lot of good memories surrounding pancakes which probably adds to the flavour enhancement :)

You also aren’t supposed to have them that often because they’re unhealthy to have all the time without balance, but that made them super special since once a year you’d get to have pancakes for breakfast! 🥞 (<- I’d call these American Pancakes)

And I’d like to specify, not American pancakes that are more stout and thicker, but ones that are thin that you can roll up with lemon and sugar or maple syrup 🤤

‘I was wondering if you have a comfort food that you like eating when you're down?’

Honestly in summer probably tomatoes on bread with salt and pepper, in the autumn winter it’s definitely soup, and spring probably beans on toast because they’re just so easy to make and don’t cause a hassle 😭

‘do you enjoy certain cuisines?’

I have to admit, my palette is not particularly extensive, but because of certain choices I’ve made for what I’m willing to eat, Italian probably suits me best :)

‘Are you ever astonished that someone in the world hasn't tasted a certain food and that they simply must?’

No, because one of my friends was such a picky eater. And I mean picky.

Anyway, having grown up with that, I’m more astonished when people have no limits at all—no allergies or spice tolerance, open to trying new things—basically someone who’ll eat absolutely anything amazes me.

‘fish and chips?’

Okay I’d say I’m pretty good at trying new foods and not turning my nose up at them, but anything with fish in I physically am unable to hold down 😭 (aside from tuna 🤔) I’m okay being around fish in supermarkets and that, or if people are eating it around me, but it’s not pleasant :/

Although, I LOVE vinegar. I used to put it in my water as a child and to this day have it with pasta 🫢

Honestly I’d like to learn more meals to cook. Someone I know recently learned how to make a sauce(?)/dip(?) called baba ganoush/baba ghanouj and it’s one of the best things I’ve ever had and would love to have it more frequently if I had the time to make it because honestly it’s 🤌🤌🤌 (my mouth is currently watering)