I live in the great state of Maryland. On the books, Maryland does a decent-ish job of civil rights and legal protections for queer folk, though we’re far from perfect. Crucially, there’s still a wide gap between the letter of the law and the reality on the ground, especially for queer people of color and those with lower incomes or fewer resources. As detailed in a recent needs assessment by FreeState Justice, many Maryland employers, landlords, and others who wield power continue to discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity and presentation–and much of the time, law enforcement refuses to get involved.
Legal Defense Funds fill a crucial need here. While legal help is far from the only need (many others are outlined in the needs assessment linked above), these funds offer crucial assistance for people who are struggling to access their legal “guarantees” of equal justice. This month, we’ll be supporting FreeState Justice’s Maryland LGBTQ Legal Defense Fund; every dollar donated to this fund provides free legal services to LGBTQIA+ Marylanders facing discrimination.
Our flavor this month is vegan and it is delicious: Peach-Almond Sherbet. A bit fruity, a bit nutty. Recipe is below.
INGREDIENTS
1 1/3 pound frozen peaches
3/4 cup sugar
1 can (400 mL) full-fat coconut milk*
1/2 tablespoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons limoncello
Pinch of salt
*A note about coconut milk: make sure you’re buying full-fat, not “lite,” and make sure you’re buying something high-quality. Check the nutrition label; you’ll want something that has around 60-70 grams of fat per 400 mL. Thai Kitchen is a safe bet and it’s a common enough brand.
DIRECTIONS
Toss the frozen peaches in a large bowl with the sugar, lemon juice, and limoncello until evenly coated. Cover the bowl and leave the peaches to thaw and macerate at room temperature for 3 or 4 hours.
Blend the peach mixture thoroughly with all remaining ingredients until smooth. Chill the blended mixture for a few hours in the fridge; when ready, churn in your ice cream machine per manufacturer’s instructions. Makes 1 quart.
John Appiah-Duffell 