The Traveling Tajine Project

Have you ever used a tajine (also spelled tagine)? It's a heavy, conical earthenware cooking vessel used in Moroccan and Middle Eastern Cooking. It's unique shape works to keep food moist and blend flavors. As heat and steam rise they condense at the tip of the conical lid, and drip back into the base, circulating moisture, heat, and flavor. It's a unique piece of cookware that can create exotic and tasty dishes.

Most people simply don't keep one around as it usually takes up quite a bit of space and isn't used in most homes outside of Morocco. However, I find that many other home cooks are interested in trying it out. As such, I am proposing an idea I am calling the Traveling Tajine Project.

The idea is simple: I will create a list of people willing to participate who want to try out a tajine. After a list of participants is established the tagine will be shipped to the first person. That person will have the tajine for one calendar month. Afterwards, they will pack it up and ship it to the next participant whom I will provide an address and contact information for. The next participant will have it for one calendar month and then ship it to the next participant and so on.

Afterwards, each participant can post on their blog or website or flickr account about their recipes, experience, and so on.

If you are interested in participating please read the following rules and guideline and then e-mail me and I will put you on the list for the Traveling Tajine Project. My goal is to get 12 participants so that we will have an entire year lined up.

Traveling Tajine Project

Tajine Notes
1) The tajine, being ceramic, should only be used in the oven and not over an open flame or on an electric or gas burner.

2) The tajine has already been seasoned by me, however, you may feel the need or desire to season it again. Feel free.


Participation
1) You must be in the continental United States.

2) You must have a blog, website, or flickr account in order to post your tajine experience and/or recipe.

3) You have one calendar month in which to use the tajine. Afterwards, the tajine should be shipped to the next participant within the first five days of the next month. This is to allow the next participant ample time to use it before they too must ship it out.

4) You are expected to post about your tajine experience. It does not have to be a big post with dozens of pictures or even a recipe, but you must post about your results.


Care and Shipping Guidelines & Agreement
1) If you break the tajine while it is in your care you are expected to replace it.

2) You must pay for the shipping to the next recipient on the list. The tajine is heavy, weighing about 5 pounds.

3) You have one month to use the tagine and then ship the tajine to the next person on the list. Tardiness is not appreciated or acceptable; by choosing to participate you are promising to use it within your calendar month.

4) Should you receive it late on your month, we will work out an agreement for you to have an appropriate amount of time in which to use it and ship it to the next recipient.

5) Should you not use it within your calendar month you must ship it to the next participant. If there are extenuating circumstances contact me and we will work out a time extension.

6) When shipping the tajine, you should be sure to take care in putting it in appropriate packaging. It is ceramic so newspaper, packing peanuts, a solid box and plenty of tape should be used.

7) If damaged in transit, you will be held responsible unless it is damaged through obvious destruction of the package due to negligence of the delivery service. It would be best to insure the package when you send it. I use the USPS, but UPS, FedEx or any other shipping company can be used; they can also assist you in properly packing it so it does not break in transit.


Other Information
-I will contact all participants before their time comes up to ensure that they are still wanting to participate. If you need to back out, please let me know at least two weeks ahead of time.

-I will do my best to ensure that people get the month they want.

-By putting your name on the Traveling Tajine Project list you are agreeing to the above rules and guidelines.

-If you wish to participate please e-mail your name, address, and a phone number to me at vanillagarlic [at] yahoo [dot] com. Your information will not be solicited out, and its only purpose is to ensure that you can receive the tajine when it's your turn.