Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Beaten by a Chicken
As some of you may know, my brother Richie has sent me on a mission to procure a chicken with feet. Now, you may be asking "Jeannette, don't all chicken have feet at some point?" Good question. Yes they do. However, in America we chop those bad boys off before they make it to your neighborhood grocer. Not necessarily the case here. In many places, the butcher and the farmer's market for sure, you can buy a chicken avec les pieds (with the feet). Sunday I went to the farmer's market to accomplish my mission. It was really really cold, like 19 degrees and it was snowing. We thought Spring was around the corner, but no, winter hit us in the face. It was so cold my thighs were numb. Just in case you didn't know, jeans are not made for warmth. Anyways, I got in line with Ronny to purchase the chicken, but I was in the rotisserie chicken line, which in-and-of-itself was overwhelming. There was a lot of yelling in French, it was very fast. I realized my error and changed lines. That's when I saw it. Right in front of me...a chicken...with feet...and a head! The head was tucked up under with a tuft of feathers sticking out. Now, I'm afraid of birds. The fact that I'm even considering buying a chicken with feet is a big deal. But a head?! I draw lines! My heart starting beating a little bit faster and I started to get the "oh god there's a bird in my personal space feeling". Needless to say, we did not buy the chicken. Ronny actually said that a chicken with a head was taking the joke too far. We also have really crappy knives. Imagine the horror if we tried to cut off the head and our knives couldn't cut it?! Oh...I shudder to think. Never fear, I have some time left, and I will continue to look for a chicken with just feet.
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Jeannette, you may not believe it, but I do read the blog from time to time...... this is amazing!!! Your writing is funny and it should make a good notebook/publication sometime.
ReplyDeleteahh yeah...and back to responding to the actual story....who said anything about this being a joke??
ReplyDeleteI was once threatened by a turkey neck! I still haven't gotten over that! UGH!!!! I have heard, however, that in some cultures, chicken feet are used to pick one's teeth! UGH!!!!! Inconceivable!! From someone that shares your same fear, DON'T DO IT!!! Haven't you ever heard of peer pressure?
ReplyDelete"Peer pressure"? Its not like "everybody's doing it so I guess I should too." NO. Its not about that. This transcends any type of "pressure". There is a product/good available over there that we cannot (within reasonable means) obtain here. I am simply requesting she indulge herself in the culture and sample the fine delicacy that I have suggested. It isn't a request that is beyond her means fincancially, morally, physically, or any other fashion. There is no excuse.
ReplyDeleteAnother note: if this quest is left incomplete, I will deny the occurrence of any event or existence involving Jeannette that allegedly takes place in another country. Do not test my willpower.
ReplyDeleteJust buy the chicken. It will be prepared there and then for you. Normally the head and feet are removed along with the innards. You'll be asked if you want to keep the liver (yes) and the gizzard (no). If you can't face the market, try Philippe in Segny (rue de vieux bourg; shares a shop with Michelin for the cheese; one of the best food shops in the pays de Gex).
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