The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1888-02-11
JiHYLtND TEREAPlT.
INV They are Caught and CooiSu
Tricks of Caterers.
From the baltimore Ncws.l

Baltimore is the leading market In
the world for tcrrapin. The finest spe-
cies are probably found in Chester
River. although it requires cOnnols-
seur of considerable ability to discriml-
nate between those caught i'll Chester
River and those taken from other
waters AMI marshes along the Chesa-
peake. The implements for catching
terrapin are very simple. They are
often taken by dragging in waters where
they are hibernating, or the terrapm
hunter. armed with stick, on one end
of which is hook, will walk around the
marshes inserting it into holes made by
muskrats and other animals, and II the
stick comes in contact with tcrrapln
the hook end is inserted and his terra
pinship is brought forth. Several are
often taken from one bed. They are III
n state of lcthargy when caught III the
winter season. In very cold weather
they will often freeze, and, though hero
icallv tested, they show no evidence OF
lie. If submitted to warmth they will
most likely die when i'll this condition.
though if placed i'll vessel Of cold
water they will generally .haw out.
Although Maryland has the reputa-
ton for serving tcrrapin, IL is not always
that Que even here can purchase plate
of real dia:nOui-i,arl at hotels or rcstau-
rants. while in Other States 1t IS nest 20
imnn,siA. to purchase it prepared.
TIL COS. OF real terrapin-and the fact
that sli,icrs, cheaper species, can he
easily worked IL when preparing the
dish-oiljrs an induccmcEt 10 caterers
to nislrad. But III many cities outside
of Baltimore where the palate oI tho
connoissaur is less cultivated, M anaiy-
sis Of dish of terrapin, which Was
billed on the menus as "TcrlHpln,
Maryland Style would dis lose II hash
wherein the slider has supplantcd the
diamond-ha aud veal and chicken are
thrown i'll for bulG, with eggs manufac-
tured for the purpose, the whole fia-
vorcd with sherry vino and spices. 1t
is not surprising that people who cat
this dish mt diamond-bAck price go off
wondering why people rave about tcri,a-
pin.
The tine way OF preparing terrapIn
is simplicity itself, and the requisites
for enjoying the dish ARE, first, "A purse
that will stand the expense, and, sec
that simplicity in preparing tcrrapins is
the hes. method, was proved some years
ago AT large charitable fair given III Bal
timorc. The widow of politician from
one 81 the lower counties had charge Of
the lunch department, and rs she WAS
well vtrs2d il The preparation of deiica-
cics, the llnch department was Il sue
cess. notably the tcrrUpin, Tor which,
from tn first t" the close of the fair,
there was rush that nearly depleted
the market, and the tcrrapi"s alone not
ted several thousand dollars t. the fair,
for more were eaten during that month
than ever before i'll the same time.
As the preparation WAS the secret of
the demand, it may prove Of interest t.
give the receipt. 1t WAS as follOws
After killing the terranin by cutting off
his head, and allowing him to bleed,
boil him until the shell can he removed;
then remove the liver and carefully cut
out the gall bladder, which is Embedded
therein; then pick the terrapin into
small pieces, rcservinG every portion eX-
cept the shells and gall bladder. To
this add little salt and pepper, and, if
desirable, small piece of butter. No
water need be added, us sufficient juices
will have accumulated during the pick
ing operation. Then stew over coal
fire or chatting dish and serve i'll hot
plates, and if sherry or other wine is to
be drank during the feast, b. careful
not to spill either into the chatting dish
or on the terrapin when served. If YOU
are going TO drink champagne, and not
sherry, then season the tcrrIpin witt
sherry or Madeira wine Just before the
light of your chatting dish is cXtin-
gui,hct. Prepared tlms, You will have
dish that will ut all times stand fore
most in the lis. of dclicacics.
Dealers say that the supply OF terra
pin has not doterioratcd Of late years il
Maryland waters, though but little hl'
been done in the direction OF tyrrapii
farming and pounding. The cost o
tcrrapin varies according t. the suppl,
and the si2n and condition. For In,
finest tcrra2in. under or,liuarr condi
tions, $50 TO $50 per dozen Is paid
though good terrapin can be purchased
for considerably less money.
VIZ should like to know if ''paSsin:
strange" is the same as pIssin;
queer"