The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1900-11-28

ally Known, the Island possesses IN It's
native fauna the requisite resources
for the festal viands, and II the writer
were there he would not ask for q
better bill of fare than he could pro-
vide If he were allowed free range Of
forest and shore. To begin with. al
though there is very little game in.
Porto Rico (such has been the sharp
competition for Z mere living among
the wretched inhabitants). there is
enough to satisfy the ordinary sports
man who knows where to look for It
There are no wild turkeys. to be sure.
from the farm and are what are known
as .'pavos del monte" or domestic
fowls that have flown the coop and
turned Injun..'' They are not so large
as our native turkeys and are rather
disposed to be skinny. but their flavor
is good. and, if they. have been feeding
on the seeds Of certain palms and
shrubs, constitute food fit for any one
to eat.
Then there are the wild guinea fowl
occasionally found in the jungles along
the rivers, where they have left the
farms and taken to the bush. There
Is nothing on earth more delicious OF
the fowl kind than a nice tender pullet
that has raised itself on what it could
pick up in the woods and pastures
without having been made tough and
rank from being overllunted.
So there are two kinds Of meat sndig-
enous to the island which II we were
there we could have for our Thanks
giving dinner. II lou want another,
why there is the armadillo, which, is
not so very bad If cooked In lis shell
and served up in its own sauce. It
takes a native cook. though. to proper
ly prepare the atmadill0 and remove
from the flesh that distinctly earthy
smell it has acquired through a life
time Of digging in the ground.
Then, again. il ,onc is not too fastid
ious. he can lind delicious tidbit til
the quaillike flesh Of the iguana. This
is sort Of land lizard. which attains
to the length OF five or SIX feet and
looks so much like good old fashioned
dragon. such as the Chinese are wont
to depict in their arts, that one might
have qualms about eating It. The
meat is tender, like young chickens.
and. except for its musky odor. like
that Of the alligator. It might be taken
for chicken II properly served. II used.
however, have It stewed and as much
as possible disguised by the addition
Of vegetables. otherwise It might be
taken for what Sir Walter Raleigh
called It once'.a verie uglie serpent
Now and then among the sea. grapes
on shore or In the hin copses may be
found species Of pigeon and wood
dove. the former quite abundant In
adjacent islands and the latter resem.
bling partridge. Either or both these
would be very nice broiled on toast
and served rs side dishes, provided
they can be obtained. The old recipe
OF first catch your hare" Of course
will have to be observed. But as there
are no hares or even rabbits Wild In
Porto Rico the application may be
made to the doves and pigeons.
h But. assuming that one Of them be
found. there VIII be four kinds Of meat,
including the iguana, or three without
Il. Betaking ourselves to the rivers we
shall find most delicious crayfish there
BY turning over the stones and rocks,
which are called .'camarones.', BY
whatever name they are, called they
will 90 well either ID q salad Or served
up BY their own sweet selves, with q
dash Of lime juice. = pinch Of pepper
and just q breath Of redhot sschili.' =
There are dish II the rivers also. and
better In the sea, such as red snapper,
grouper. etc. But the natives rely
more upon the .'bacalao, or .sCape
Cod turkey" brought to their shores
In Yankee schooners, than upon the
catches Of their friends at Ponce and
/ Aguadilla.
But the above viii comprise the vi-s
ande Tor native THANKSGIVING dinner.
to which may be added such veeefa-
|bles and fruits 10 the Island can raise.
which means more than one cAn eaf ~
! Sitting These are, Tor vegetables.
sweet potatoes etldoes, yama arsl plnn-
him; Tor fruits ptneapplee euavaa
[benanaa, oranges illae cnslsrd
apples etc he whole lit az trololcal
product lone 13y psoper elte ana fpre.
thought "a thee may edOen the fah1e
mn Ih1niA wins fto RICO,
ma guch ~ NJ III i,15 IN wSsked
doWr tth cool coss0a IN 6f. SStiye
Tllzn m eolkee I'D fla ~ nj q Ia1S1I6 nom
f1e h8me Faine2 Hfo( NJ "a 3sssss