ESA’s gourmet meals for Mars
21.08.2023 - 11:51
/ theunconventionalgardener.com
/ Emma Doughty
In 2004, ESA challenged French chefs to come up with gourmet recipes for space travellers on Mars and other planets. They were limited by what could feasibly be grown on Mars, with extra ingredients (such as extra vegetables, herbs, oil, butter, seasonings and sugar) shipped from Earth.
“We are aiming initially at producing 40% locally for astronauts’ food on future long-duration space missions, for example to Mars. Why 40%? By growing enough plants to cover around 40% of what we eat, we also get ‘for free’ the oxygen and water needed to live. In addition to being healthy and sufficiently nutritious for survival, good food could potentially provide psychological support for the crew, away from Earth for years.”
ESA chose nine plants for the off-world farms: rice, onions, tomatoes, soya, potatoes, lettuce, spinach, wheat and spirulina. The blue-green algae spirulina is a nutritional powerhouse: 65% protein by weight, with calcium, carbohydrates, lipids and various vitamins.
The result was 11 recipes for long term space missions, including ‘Martian bread and green tomato jam’, ‘Spirulina gnocchis’ and ‘Potato and tomato mille-feuilles’.
For the Potato and tomato mille-feuilles, thin slices of potato, tomatoes and onion are cooked one by one, “for a homogeneous colour and a melting and crispy sensation in the mouth.”
Martian bread and green tomato jam combines the flavour of wheat and the sweet acidity of tomato. The green tomato jam is presented as a side dish to complement the flavours of the main course.
Spirulina Gnocchis are made in the traditional way. The spirulina adds to the nutritional content, but its green colour also contrasts perfectly with the tomato sauce.
“Being able to grow plants is fine but they have to be