Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1890-02-28
THE HUMAN APPETITE.
A Subject Which. Though Old, VIII Neve
.. Loso It's Interest,

VI kOOu lUosSA l1uEoCloCJty WOrkcU OUT, says
the London Saturday Rertc,o. Who can say,
for example, what mostarda might become
II It's fruits were treated with little more
care and personal consideration before they
were placed in the mustardl As it is, there
Is hint Of new favor about 1t which
human ingenuity has not hitherto brought
fully out. Ripe grapes picked in vinegar,
though their merits are we'll known In
Southern Russia, have never received due
recognition In England. But these are DEL
lcacies rather than food. The fishermen all
along the coast from Gae.a to Naples have
various ways Of cooking fish which are un-
known in the great hotels. Many Of them
are interesting, and might be attractive, but
for the predominating flavor Of garlic.
Fresh sardines, crisply fried In oil, are quite
admirable eating, but the fishermen have
discovered a more excellent way Of dealing
with them. They place them in shallow
tin, embed them In bread crumbs, add
few savory herbs, pour a little good olive
oil, squeeze lemon or two over them, and
then bake them over sharp fire. The re-
suit IL unexpected but not disagreeable. In
some towns and villages of Northern Italy
small birds are treated with the same ap-
preoiatlve kindness. They are roasted on q
spit before sharp fire, and then laid in
pickle for dayor two and served cold. Of
course 1t is wicked to kill little birds, but
the man who sends such dish away when
he Is hungry, and It Is the only animal food
that can be procured, must be gifted either
with conscience that Is extremely sensi.
tive or palate that is rather dull,
No one will suggest that there is any
thing common or unclean In such food as
has been mentioned; it does not even border
on improperly, but may be freely enjoyed
by men Of all scots and nations. As soon
as one turns to unusual materials, national
prejudice asserts itself. and the ground be-
comes ufisafe In Central and considerable
part Of Northern Germany the man who
eatsa rabbit becomes social outcast; in
England many respectable citizens indulge
shamelessly In this mild form Of dissipa-
tion. Tho Neapolitan poor are not as rule
dainty, but, while dehghting In seacurchin,
they look down with scorn upon the Gala
brese, because they eat sea-slugs, which, il
properly cooked, are not very nasty. Nay,
even In our own country there was time
when persons sooffed at frogs; now most
Englishmen who have been to Paris know
that, il properly treated, they add new
zest to dinner If not to life. The old preiu-
dice against snails still continues, yet there
are at least two edible kinds which ere
worthy Of all respect. They must bs kept
and fed cloanly, preferably on vine leaves for
some time, before being used, but when this
has been done both sorts add Q peculiar and
RETeeoble favor to several clear SOUPS, and
one OF them when boiled, chopped small and
allowed to cool, greatly improves any green
salad. Do not let the basty reader imagine
that they have any resemblance to tho
common, we dare not sey familiar, peri
winkle, for nobody with any sense Of self.
respect could ever become familiar with so
coarse . creature The edible land-snails
Are-at leest, in gastronomic respects-the
aristocracy Of their race.
Hedgehog is good, et least for . change,
and 1t used to be well cooked in small tav.
ern in the Ghetto Of Rome, to which artists
frequently resorted when their spirits were
high and their funds low: According to an
aged South italian sportsman, they should
be killed in the woods and Immediately
skinned, then allowed to hang for . few
hours, and, after being trusted with their
9a..s as.s s S1 sGtea osisse sharp IRE.
The stufing should be made Of their own
fat, finely chopped with bread crumbs and
such seasoning as suits the cooks taste. OF
course no one with sense Of decency would
think Of eating q hedgehog which had been
employed for months IN hunting black
beetles In cellar and was only slaughtered
because he showed signs Of failing strength
Snakes arc difficult question. The force Of
civilization is against them in every way,
though In few North Italian towns they are
considered delcacies, and those who have
eaten OF them declare that they are superior
to eels, as they are less rich and have q
more delicate flavor. One would not like to
give an opinion without some practical ex-
perience, and no one can be expected TO
travel to the neighborhood of Genoa In tho
early autumn for the mere purpose of eat
ing stewed serpent
Many other animals occupy q. similarly
dubious position. Jays and crows are said
to make excellent soup, even when they arc
we'll stricken in years, though their flesh is
otherwise worthless. But why do we &C.
cept the calf and reject the fosls Why do
wo regard BEARS paws as dainty and
roasted cat IS q orime3 Tastes, Of course,
dtRer; but this Is not . matter Of taste, but
Of imagination. There arc pcrsons who
can not cot duck and green poss, and there
are others who are unfortunate enough to
. ind no charms In oysters or caviare-they
ere to be pitied, mot blamed. =,