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food-sources-msg - 1/31/08

 

Modern sources for unusual medieval meats and other foods.

 

NOTE: See also the files: exotic-meats-msg, drying-foods-msg, organ-meats-msg,

eels-msg, butchering-msg, marrow-msg, food-seasons-msg, merch-spices-msg.

 

************************************************************************

NOTICE -

 

This file is a collection of various messages having a common theme that

I  have collected from my reading of the various computer networks. Some

messages date back to 1989, some may be as recent as yesterday.

 

This file is part of a collection of files called Stefan's Florilegium.

These files are available on the Internet at: http://www.florilegium.org

 

I  have done  a limited amount  of editing. Messages having to do  with

seperate topics  were sometimes split into different files and sometimes

extraneous information was removed. For instance, the  message IDs  were

removed to save space and remove clutter.

 

The comments made in these messages are not necessarily my viewpoints. I

make  no claims  as  to the accuracy  of  the information  given  by the

individual authors.

 

Please  respect the time  and efforts of  those who have written  these

messages. The  copyright status of these messages  is  unclear  at this

time. If  information  is published  from  these  messages, please give

credit to the orignator(s).

 

Thank you,

    Mark S. Harris                  AKA:  THLord Stefan li Rous

    mark.s.harris at motorola.com            stefan at florilegium.org

************************************************************************

 

From: Uduido at aol.com

Date: Thu, 17 Apr 1997 22:21:48 -0400 (EDT)

Subject: SC - Swan sources

 

<< Where would you get peacock? >>

 

Peacock and swan chicks (sic) can be obtained from any place that sells fancy

poultry chicks for farm and hobbyist. Game around here is never a problem for

us. I just put out the call as it were. I have a goose resideing in my

freezer this very moment waiting for his final resting place on high table.

The best way if you don't have the space to raise them yourself is to beg,

beg, beg.This usually causes hunter type friends to be more than

generous..........<smiling....remembering the time I did a whole deer at the

campfire at Pensic....:-))

 

Lord Ras

 

 

From: Annejke at prodigy.com (MS MARTHA L WALLENHORST)

Date: Thu, 17 Apr 1997 21:38:17, -0500

Subject: SC - swans, eel and peacocks, oh

 

You can get peacock from a butcher's outlet in Colorado. I don't

have the address handy but they do carry all forms of pea-fowl,

venison, swan, etc.  I don't know if they are on line or not but when

I get a pea-fowl I simply go to the local butcher who orders it as I

need it, skined, cleaned, skin intact for redressing.  Remember when

doing a peacock that it needs to roast slowly for many, many hours in

rose water and tightly covered.  It is quite wonderful. If I

remember correctly The last time I bought one it was $25 for the bird

and $5 for cold shipping UPS.

 

Annejke

 

 

From: "Sue Wensel" <swensel at brandegee.lm.com>

Date: 18 Apr 1997 11:22:39 -0500

Subject: Re(2): SC - peacocks and eels

 

> At 10:18 PM 4/17/97 -0600, Stefan li Rous wrote, quoting me:

> >1. A peacock is a game bird, and cooks differently than a chicken.

> >2. It was a peaCOCK, not a peaHEN, and took longer to cook because of this.

> >>>>>>

> >Please explain these two points to new cook. If the peacock and the

> >chicken are the same size, why would they cook differently?

>

> It is my understanding that game birds (pheasant, for example) take much

> longer to cook than your average off-the-shelf chicken. Also, unless spiced

> some way (like roasted in rose water, as someone else suggested), you will

> get a very "gamey" flavor from the meat.

 

In my experience growing up in a hunting household, what generally told how

gamey the meat was was the competence of the person who gutted it.  If they

were poor, the meat was so bad as to be almost uneatable (but never waste

meat!).  If they were average, the meat was "gamey."  If they were good, then

the meat tasted wonderful, and even avowed non-game eaters loved it.  The

difference was in how the entrails were handled.  

 

Difference 1:  Good field-dressing ties off the urethra *before* doing

anything else.  This means getting a little messy, but it makes for better

meat if it has not been in contact with urine.  The meat directly in contact

is really unfit for human consumption, and the remaining meat around the

cavity tastes gamey.

 

Difference 2:  The entrails are handled quite carefully. Slitting the skin is

done carefully -- to make sure that the peritoneum (or whatever lines the

abdomen) is the only thing slit/there are no nicks in the entrails.

 

Difference 3:  Field dressing is done immediately after killing, not a half

hour to an hour after the kill when the animal is home.

 

Another factor in the taste of game meat is how it is cooked.  Remember, most

game meat is significantly leaner than domestic animals. Therefore they need

to be cooked *slowly* in a moist environment (roast in covered pan with water,

simmer in a stew, etc.).  Birds tend to do better skinned. This will give you

quite good tasting, moist, non-gamey meat.

 

Derdriu

(whose family insisted that everyone -- guys and gals -- hunt for at least one

year to decide if we liked it or not)

swensel at brandegee.lm.com

 

 

From: Aldyth at aol.com

Date: Fri, 18 Apr 1997 12:56:22 -0400 (EDT)

Subject: SC - Re: SC game meat (was peacock and eels)

 

In a message dated 97-04-18 12:08:21 EDT, Christi writes:

<< I have a question on this.  I agree with the dressing out theory.  But

doesn't it also depend on what the animal ate?  I have had venison that

survived on mostly sage, and venison that was ranch raised and there was

a definite difference in flavor.  I was told that meat that was wild was

more "gamey" due to their diet.  Both of these animals were killed,

gutted and prepared by the same individuals.>>

 

My lord husband and I have hunted for 20 years.  While I haven't noticed it

in game birds per se, I have noticed a difference in taste in big game (elk,

deer, moose.) depending on where it was harvested and what it was eating.  I

learned it the hard way when early on we took our game to a processor.  The

deer we left was about 200 pounds field dressed, and had been placidly

feeding on wheat fields for its life.  The deer we received was pre saged.

From then on we processed our own meat completely.  I have never had a

problem with *funny* tasting game since then.

 

Aldyth

Aldyth at aol.com

 

 

From: "Sue Wensel" <swensel at brandegee.lm.com>

Date: 18 Apr 1997 13:06:01 -0500

Subject: SC - Game (y) meats

 

I wrote:

> >In my experience growing up in a hunting household, what generally told how

> >gamey the meat was was the competence of the person who gutted it.  If they

> >were poor, the meat was so bad as to be almost uneatable (but never waste

> >meat!).  If they were average, the meat was "gamey."  If they were good, then

> >the meat tasted wonderful, and even avowed non-game eaters loved it.  The

> >difference was in how the entrails were handled.

 

<snip>

 

To which Christi asked:

 

> I have a question on this.  I agree with the dressing out theory.  But

> doesn't it also depend on what the animal ate?  I have had venison that

> survived on mostly sage, and venison that was ranch raised and there was

> a definite difference in flavor.  I was told that meat that was wild was

> more "gamey" due to their diet.  Both of these animals were killed,

> gutted and prepared by the same individuals.

 

In all honesty, the only time I have had "gamey" meat was when my brother and

one of my father's friends had dressed the animal (this stands for venison,

rabbit, squirrel, fowl -- i.e. most legally hunted game in PA).  My dad

insisted that the difference was in how the entrails were handled.

 

In addition, we also raised domestic rabbits.  If the entrails were not

handled carefully (like the bladder leaked), the result was "gamey" meat.  

 

Now the difference in flavor (I set this aside from gamey-ness, which is

texture and flavor) is linked to how the animal ate while alive.  I adore beef

raised on corn and tolerate beef raised on food supplements.  Likewise

chicken.  I suspect the time of year the animal was killed may affect the

flavor of the meat because the available diet and fat reserves change during

the year.

 

Finally, with a given of the different flavors imparted by breed of cattle

(Angus vs. anything else -- I am at a loss for other beef cattle breeds),

different types of deer may affect flavor.

 

I have a story about a college friend who declared one day that he hated deer

meat because it was so gamey. I told him I could fix deer meat that he would

love; he doubted it. A week or so later, I invited him over to my place to

have venison (he said he never tried it).  After eating, he raved about how

that was the best meat he had ever had and wanted to know where I bought it.

I told him, truthfully, that my parents sent it to me. The following Monday,

he was telling mutual friends about how great venison was and didn't

understand why they were rolling on the floor.  He asked me, and I explained

that venison was another name for deer meat, but I wanted him to try it with

no preconceived notions of how it should taste.  He wanted to know when I was

cooking it again so he could invite himself to dinner.

 

My mother tells a story about one of her sister-in-laws who came to dinner,

not knowing what was on the menu.  After dinner, she raved about the meal.  My

mother said, "I thought you didn't like deer meat."  She replied, "Oh, I

thought the meat tasted a little off."

 

Derdriu

swensel at brandegee.lm.com

 

 

From: Uduido at aol.com

Date: Fri, 18 Apr 1997 18:30:19 -0400 (EDT)

Subject: SC - Hunters

 

<< Do you have to offer free feasts to all the hunters around you? >>

 

Many of my friends are hunters and since I am somewhat "noted" for my ways

with game, I seem to have no trouble finding it. Usually about once a month

someone leaves me something at work or drops it off on the porch or whatever.

The same is true with fisherman that I know. Recently I recieved several

fresh tuna steaks as a "gift" from one of my customers. Most people would

have broiled them up but I thought the first thing that I saw them...."Ah ha!

Apicius!". And spent the evening redacting 3 recipes for tuna from Apicius'

cookbook.

 

Just tell everyone about your hobby! Litterally. Throughout the day many of

the customers in the store ask me if I'm working on any new food for that

"history" group.

 

The results can pay off in other ways also. 2 weeks ago I was asked to be a

"visiting chef" at Le Jeune Chef, subject: An Authentic Medieval Feast";

price to be: $75.00/per person; Budget: quote "what-ever I need". This

particular restaurant , which is associated with the Pennsylvania College of

Technology (a subsidiary of Penn State University), has won several awards

including  a listing in the  Wine Spectator's Best Restaurants in America.

 

So talk, cook, talk, cook and share your best. All things will fall into

place if you are truly a serious student. Time and patience are also a big

plus. This is equally true for any other endeavor. MHO for "bragging"

somewhat but I think that this is a perfect example of how the SCA through

encouraging research and excellence can have a unique and lasting impact on

many non-SCA areas of our lives.

 

Lord Ras

 

 

From: Uduido at aol.com

Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 08:49:29 -0400 (EDT)

Subject: Re: SC - itty-bitty fish recipes.

 

<< I'm not sure where I would find the small fish for the whitebait pancake.

I'm not about to go out and buy a bag of minnows at a nearby bait shop

for this.  >>

 

Why not? That's exactly what the Frugal Gourmet reccommends (as did I) when

doing a recipe for deep-fried baitfish. The farming of fish is no different

baitfish than it is for trout or catfish or any other farmed fish. And fish

is fish. :-) Period ingredients are often times found at locations other than

your local supermarket , and part of the fun of Middle Cookery is trying to

dig up sources for the ingredients.

 

I often find ingredients in the most unusual places. For example, when I did

my Middle Eastern Feast, none of the locals would sell me the 2 goats I

needed and the supermarket did not carry goat meat. I went to a live stock

auction and bought them there for half the price that the "pet" breeders were

asking. We raised them for 2 months, milking everyday. We made feta cheese

for the feast from the milk, classes in butchering , hide tanning, knife

handles from bones, and the making of a water bag from the stomach. Very

informative!. :-) Rabbits can often be had for as little as $2.00 a piece

from area kids that raise them as pets. (Fat, juicy and tender! :-))  Special

treats such as dandelion buds can be gathering , blanched and frozen for use

at a later feast when they are in season. And there is no lack of people

around here who need someone to get those "damn" pidgeons out of the attic.

 

Lord Ras

 

 

Date: Thu, 15 May 1997 08:55:47 -0500 (CDT)

From: "Elizabeth B. Naime" <elspeth at falcon.cc.ukans.edu>

To: Multiple recipients of list <sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu>

Subject: RE: old breeds and period cooking - chickens and eggs

 

> This also means that modern chickens, for example, do not give period

> flavor.  Animals which get a lot of exercise are more flavorful (we might

> even say strong in taste) than what we have now.  So cooking them for a

> couple of days will produce a bland result, with the meat almost cooked to

> nothing.  A elderly, tough old hen or rooster makes a very poor roasting

> bird, but is far better for stew or soup.

 

Hmm, also the diet of period chickens was probably quite different than

that of today's scientifically raised poultry.  Not to denigrate the

modern hen or her diet -- that would be disloyal, since my grandfather

wrote _The Scientific Feeding Of Chickens_ and was one of the researchers

who made "a chicken in every pot" a reality! -- but free-ranging poultry

pick up a lot of worms and caterpillars and STUFF to supplement their

chicken feed.

 

One of the places you can find modern chicken breeds getting more

excercise and a more varied diet is any of those country homes with an

"eggs for sale" sign at the roadside.  As a fan of fresh eggs, I'll attest

that eggs from free-ranging or at least yard-wandering chickens are not

like store bought eggs.  The yolks are much darker, and the taste is

richer -- I believe this is due more to diet than egg age. And ya know, a

hen doesn't lay forever.  In addition to using these sorts of eggs for

period egg recipies, you MIGHT ask a country egg person if they'd ever

consider selling an old chicken.  Still a modern breed, but the excercise

and diet are probably more nearly period.

 

Elspeth <elspeth at falcon.cc.ukans.edu>

 

 

From: "Nancy R. Mollette" <NRMOLL00 at UKCC.UKY.EDU>

To: Lord Stefan

Date:         Wed, 23 Jul 97 12:36:25 EDT

Subject:      marrow and suet

 

Good afternoon!

               Your easiest and least expensive source for marrow would be

to order beef bones from a meat packer...tell them you're making soup, and have

them cut length-wise for easy removal.

 

Suet is harder to find; but in essence, suet is to beef fat as lard is to pork

fat....the easiest and most hygenic way might be to render out your own, in

which case, you could probably order the kidney fat of the cow you got the

bones from.

 

 

Date: Wed, 23 Jul 1997 09:00:54 -0400 (EDT)

From: Uduido at aol.com

Subject: SC - Bone Marrow

 

<< does anyone have any suggestion on getting bone marrow? Or even suet? >>

 

Bone marrow is usually not available by itself. However, any good supermarket

usually has marrow bones for sale from the marrow can be extracted. Also a

quick glance through your yellow pages will probably show several butcher

and/or meat shops. If you call them and ask they will most certainly provide

you with all the marrow bones you could want at about 1/3 the cost of the

market.

 

A hint> have your meat cutter saw the bones into 2 or 3 inch section or split

them for you. This will save a lot of anguish in the extraction process. Like

anything else substitution of other things may created a tasty dish, but you

will definantly not get the same flavor, texture or apperance that using

marrow provides for.

 

Suet is for the most part available anywhere there is meat being sold. Be

sure to specify that you want it for "human" consumption as often times suet

is specifically offered for sale for bird feeders. That type often times has

bits of flesh and blood in it or extraneous matter that would make it

somewhat unsuitable for human consumption without extensive pre-preperation..

 

Lord Ras

 

 

Date: Wed, 23 Jul 1997 16:34:11 -0700 (PDT)

From: rousseau at scn.org (Anne-Marie Rousseau)

Subject: SC - Sources for medieval foodstuffs

 

Hi all from Anne-Marie.

 

Looking for medieval foodstuffs is always a fun challenge. Especially

when you are looking for provisions for a whole barony! We are blessed

here in Madrone (Seattle) with a GREAT farmers market, but here's some

suggestions for the rest of you poor saps :)...

 

- --for produce, try and contact your local farmers market or produce

stand. If they know you are gonna want three cases of mushrooms, they

will have them for you. I have also done this with our local regular

grocery store, when I needed a large number of leeks, out of season. They

special ordered them for me.

 

- --for bread, try and contact your local bakery. Even middle america has

"specialty" bread bakers. We contact "a la francaise" and ask for a pile

of day olds. Still WAY better than anything you can get at the regular

store. And cheap!! :D

--for spices, we go with WorldSPice. Tony is a gem, and will make up

poudre forte to my own specifications, and grind it for me. Hey, he does

it all the time for the curry people, why not me?! Fresh spices from him

cost less than the grocery store ones, and are so fresh you use 1/2 to

1/3 as much, for further cost savings.

 

- --for meat, we go with one of the many family owned butchers here in

town. As has been said before, they will cut it anyway I like, given

enough notice. This is also true for my local grocer, again, with enough

notice, but I like to subsidize the local mom and pop shops.

 

- --for dairy, we contact a local dairy and get stuff at wholesale. Eggs

and butter, as well as cream and milk.

 

- -- we do use Costco, but I personally find the quality much much higher

from the little local guys.

 

- --Rosewater, dried favas, pomegranite syrup, etc come from our local

Middle Eastern grocer. The rosewater is about $3 for 250 mls, WAY cheaper

than the little old stale bottles you get at the liquour store.

 

If you read the above, you probably noticed a theme. Local! That in

itself is a pretty medieval concept...sure they shipped stuff around, but

if it wasn't in season, they likely didn't eat it. A fact lost on many of

our supermarket-shopping, meat in a plastic container, milk in a carton

folks.

 

- --Anne-Marie, who finds that local purveyors are usually so intrigued

with why you're buying so many leeks, they end up giving you a discount!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Anne-Marie Rousseau

rousseau at scn.org

Seattle, Washington

 

 

Date: Tue, 09 Sep 1997 13:36:52 -0400

From: marilyn traber <margali at 99main.com>

Subject: Re: SC - Re: sca-cooks V1 #258

 

Uduido at aol.com wrote:  

>My only regret is that the caul was unavailable. My butcher assures me that he

>can get it if I order early enough in advance.

>

> Lord Ras

 

I cheat, i get the really cheap bacon with very little meat, and if

teased just right you can make a sort of net out of it, that for

crespinettes and small applications works ok

margali

 

 

Date: Tue, 14 Oct 1997 13:58:05 -0700

From: Ron and Laurene Wells <tinyzoo at vr-net.com>

Subject: SC - Re: sca-cooks V1 #360

 

   Someone asked "where do you get quail eggs?" and I never saw a response

to that.  The only way I know to get quails eggs (other than paying a very

high price for them in a specialty shop - IF you can find them!) is to raise

Coturnix Quail (specially adapted to living in captivity) and collect the

eggs yourself.  I had a cockerel and 3 hens once-upon-a-time, and kept them

in a bird cage in the kitchen.  The males can be QUITE loud!  And the shells

on those itty bitty eggs are the thickest and toughest things to get off I

ever saw!  You have to REALLY WANT quail's eggs to go through that much effort.

   An alternative I might suggest would be Bantam Chicken eggs, which are

noticeably smaller than Standard chicken eggs, though obviously larger than

quails eggs.  And they are easier to peel/open.  You can even raise

Auracauna Bantams (or standards, whichever) and get pre-colored eggs -

Auracauna chickens are from South America (nope, not period for the SCA I

guess) and they lay green and blue shelled eggs, as opposed to white or

brown shelled eggs of other breeds.

   To be honest, when I owned the quail, I didn't realize what a delicacy

the eggs were, and found them to be more of a bother than an asset.  I just

thought the birds were cute.

- -Laurene

 

 

Date: Tue, 14 Oct 1997 18:05:29 -0500

From: Maddie Teller-Kook <meadhbh at io.com>

Subject: Re: SC - Re: sca-cooks V1 #360

 

I have seen quail eggs for sail in Asian grocery stores. You might try

there if you have one where you live.

 

meadhbh

 

 

Date: Tue, 14 Oct 1997 20:29:51 -0400

From: Philip & Susan Troy <troy at asan.com>

Subject: Re: SC - Re: sca-cooks V1 #360

 

I get quail eggs at many different markets catering to a Chinese

clientele. They are available fresh, and don't cost too much, maybe $3

(Yeah, like the saffron ;  )  ) for perhaps 30 or 36 in a little

styrofoam flat. Remember each one is small, like maybe 1/2 ounce.

Depending on what you want to use them for, they are also available in

cans in the same markets, hardboiled and peeled. Some Chinese cookbooks

list places that do mail order of Chinese ingredients, that should

enable to get you some canned ones, at least.

 

Adamantius

 

 

Date: Tue, 14 Oct 1997 23:04:15 -0400

From: Ceridwen <ceridwen at commnections.com>

Subject: Re: SC - Re: sca-cooks V1 #360

 

Greetings all from Ceridwen;

 

    I hadn't seen any reply about the quail's eggs either. I was about

to suggest the same idea, I have been raising Cotournix Quail now for

about a year, caged in the backyard. You are right about the

roosters..(my son says they say "trick or treat") being loud, but all in

all they are a delight to raise.  The only ones i"ve had in the house

were hatchlings too young to go outside yet, and the occaisional

"nursing care".  Yes, the shells are tough, but like chicken eggs, you

must not cook them too fresh, and running them under cold water while

peeling is a help. I did a dish of roasted quail garnished with their

eggs for Art-Sci this past June and scored very well. It seems I have

the local SCA hooked on the eggs... I cook and peel several dozen before

events and put them out  for munchies with lunch.... so far no feastcrat

has objected (I always ask).

    I have found many recipes for quail in medieval cooking, but none so

far for the eggs.. although I suspect they were raised in captivity even

then. One feast manifest calls for 100 dozen quail, in January. I can't

imagine trying to net that many in one hunting party, or several even. I

have found directions for feeding "small birds" betwen capture and

slaughter, though.

    I suppose I could get quail eggs to someone who wanted them.....in

small quantities, (it's molting season and they don't lay as well now.

Most hatcheries do carry them... check Mother Earth News classifieds...

catalogs are free... and live birds are available... not terribly

pricey. The price goes up dramatically for dressed birds.... now that

I've dressed a few I know why!!!!.

 

Ceridwen

ceridwen at commnections.com

 

 

Date: Tue, 14 Oct 1997 22:49:19 -0800

From: charding at nwlink.com (Cathy Harding)

Subject: Re: SC - Small Feasts

 

>Maeve said:

>>The day of the contest, I cooked leeks in almond milk, a dish of beans and

>>peas( peas cooked in ale and caraway), hard boiled quails eggs, Hens of

>>greece, ruzzge cakes and a clever dish of plums.

>

>Where did you get quails eggs? Are these something that you find in your

>grocery store? I assume you hard boil them like chicken eggs. Do they

>taste different or are they just smaller or colored differently?

 

A friend found them in the food coop in Eugene on the way back from an

event in southern Oregon.  I just boiled them like chicken eggs.  they

taste very good, better than chicken eggs.  They are much smaller and the

shells are mottled. Inside they look much like chicken eggs.

 

>  Stefan li Rous

 

 

Date: Wed, 5 Nov 1997 18:59:55 -0800

From: kat <kat at kagan.com>

Subject: SC - re:  game meat

 

Gunthar asks:

> Can anybody help straighten out the best way I can purchase game that is

> not too expensive?

 

Hon, check with your meat wholesaler.  A lot of wholesalers these days are carrying the more "exotic" meats; and if yours doesn't he might be able to direct you to one who does.

 

Not that it's any help to you in your particular location; but I know there's a meat wholesaler in San Jose where you can get **anything** that's legal to eat in the state.  It can't be the only one in the country...  

 

      - kat

 

 

Date: Thu, 04 Dec 1997 09:33:37 -0400

From: Philip & Susan Troy <troy at asan.com>

Subject: SC - Re: Testicles

 

Par Leijonhufvud wrote:

> Anyone know of a period recipie? I've had these fried, more or less

> straight of the lamb, but with the recent years things have changed

> (i.e. immigration form other parts of the world) such that it might be

> possible to obtain enough of these to serve at a feast...

 

I don't recall having seen medieval recipes that refer specifically to

testicles. There are a few Roman recipes for various elaborate mixed

stews and patinae that call for capon testicles, IIRC. Somewhere along

the line I have seen recipes for pig's or lamb's fry, but as I recall,

it wasn't immediately clear whether the main ingredient was testicles or

unborn, fetal animals.

 

There are some late-and/or-post-period recipes (the ones I have seen are

English, but I suspect similar ones can be found in sources from other

countries, particularly France and Spain), again calling for various

assortments of "dainties", such as cock's combs, capon brains, capon

testicles, sweetbreads, etc., to be used in quelcechoses (a.k.a.

kickshaws) and oleos.

 

FWIW, you may well be able to find testicles in meat packing plants for

those animals corresponding to the type of animal whose

testicles...well, you get the idea, I'm sure. This can only get more

confusing. In other words, I know you can get capon and/or turkey

testicles, usually frozen in bulk, from commercial poultry packing

plants. I have an Asian market in my neighborhood that sells them in

little plastic trays, like ground beef. For all I know, a similar

situation may exist in the case of lamb. For larger animals like steer,

you won't find testicles because they have been removed in a different

way, before slaughter, and are effectively destroyed. But then I doubt

there's much of a culinary market for testicles you have to carve to

serve, anyway.

 

Adamantius

 

 

Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 10:00:31 -0500

From: Christi Redeker <Christi.Redeker at digital.com>

Subject: SC - Specialty meats

 

I didn't find an answer to the "What exactly is a game hen" question, but remember goat?  I found a place to buy them and any other speciatly meats... Including musk ox.  They mention game hens, but I haven't found the exact reference as of yet.

 

http://www.hillsfoods.com/recipes.html

 

You guys will love this site!!!

 

Murkial

 

 

Date: Wed, 13 May 1998 22:47:40 -0500From: morganna <themorrigan at softhome.net>Subject: Re: SC - PeacockMichael Clifford wrote:> A couple of years ago on the Rialto there was a discussion on how to> cook peacock,I was wondering if anyone knew of a company who supplied> the bird.>> Guy TalbotWe get them locally from a farm,  they breed them for "pets" people outhere like to keep them on their farms for some reason (they must like blood

curdling screams all night long - peacocks can be really noisy).Try a local exotic game farm. We have tons of them in the Dakotas that breedpheasants, geese, emu's, ostrich etc.Morganna

 

 

Date: Sat, 05 Sep 1998 21:29:49 -0600

From: Ree Moorhead Pruehs <rpruehs at ismi.net>

Subject: SC - Chinese grocery on Web

 

Adamantius wrote:

>There _are_ still Chinese groceries that do mail order, aren't there? I know

>many Chinese cookbooks used to have lists of these, with their addresses, in

>the back. Bet there is some place on the Web where you can buy the stuff, too.

 

I've found one web Chinese grocery (so far) at

<http://www.welcome-to-china.com/mkt/mail/ogs/chin/chin.htm>; .... I don't

know how comparable their prices are to having a "local." They also don't

seem to carry anything in the way of flour. Lots of -other- interesting

stuff out there, tho.

 

Rhiannon Ottersdale

 

 

Date: Fri, 30 Oct 1998 11:42:21 -0600

From: Shari Burnham <pndarvis at execpc.com>

Subject: SC - Global Marketplace for hard to find ingrediants

 

Hello List!  I was recently told by a co worker who is a gourmet

(gourmand?) about a web site for finding exotic and hard to find food

items that you can order from.  it is at www.globalfoodmarket.com  It

even has a place where you can email the reps and they will try to find

a specific item for you.

 

lady elisabeth

 

 

Date: Sat, 20 Mar 1999 17:35:04 EST

From: LrdRas at aol.com

Subject: Re: SC - Ideal vs. practical

 

estria at hotmail.com writes:

<< Yes, also cost in time and effort, but also cost in money.  The example

that started this discussion was a prime example.

 

Estria >>

 

Cost wise an authentic feast is very similar to any other feast. Oftentimes it

is my experience that it costs considerable less. For instance, I had thought

couscous was extremely high priced for the pretty boxed stuff at my

supermarket until I found it at my local health food store in bulk for 1/10th

the cost. Rice can be gotten in 20 lb. bags for half the price of smaller

bags.

 

Out of the blue I decided to approach the meat manager at Wegman's and ask

about the possibility of getting goat meat for my period Middle Eastern feast.

He promptly ordered 2 goats, cut in sections, clenaed and ready for cooking.

Price? one dollar and thirty five cents per pound! :-0. At a past feast I

roasted whole emu's (not European period) at a cost of 100 dollars a bird on

hoof. Normal price was 6 dollars plus a pound. My cost approximately 1 dollar

a pound. So the secret is looking around and being creative. :-)

 

al-Sayyid Ras

 

 

Date: Fri, 26 Mar 1999 07:55:01 -0500

From: "Robin Carroll-Mann" <harper at idt.net>

Subject: Re: SC - pomegranate molasses

 

And it came to pass on 26 Mar 99,, that Stefan li Rous wrote:

> I remember talking about where to get pomegranate juice before

> unfortunately I can't find mention of this in the files in my Florilegium

> I thought I would have put it in. I believe Middle Eastern stores were the

> main place to look for it.

 

I found some at a Russian grocery near me.  Plain, bottled

pomegranate juice.  The Middle Eastern stores in my area are

mostly Indian/Pakistani, and seem only to carry the syrup.

 

Lady Brighid ni Chiarain

Settmour Swamp, East (NJ)

 

 

Date: Wed, 28 Jul 1999 18:22:08 -0400

From: margali <margalicuskynolles at 99main.com>

Subject: Re: SC - SCA cordials ......Rum?

 

you can buy horse meat in the us, I get mine at the Am-Fran

Meatpackers in Plainfield Ct.

margali

 

 

Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 09:00:57 PDT

From: "Kristine Agnew" <kmagnew at hotmail.com>

Subject: SC - Where I found my Wild Boar

 

Greetings from Boudicca!

 

   I would be thrilled to share my source of wild boar with the list,

however, I fear that the geographical distance for most would make this a

very expensive luxury indeed.

 

Candy Mountain Farm - Wild Boar

Ron and Annie Moore

RR#6, Thunder Bay, Ontario (across the border from Duluth MN.)

Canada,P7C 5N5

(807)473-8338

 

a few more tidbits...

 

the boars are allowed to free-range all year round, they are not given any

medicated feeds, chemicals or growth hormones and all meat is inspected

prior to sale.

 

Boudicca :0)

 

 

Date: Thu, 28 Oct 1999 10:53:48 -0400

From: Philip & Susan Troy <troy at asan.com>

Subject: Re: SC - Recipes 5 & 6

 

BanAvtai at aol.com wrote:

> And how does one go about asking for a half a cup of

> blood at the supermarket?  LOL This sounds like a Kodak moment.......

>

> Iu'liana

 

You either slaughter your own animals, and save the blood, or you can

either order it frozen from a good butcher or get it in pint or quart

tubs (a little blood goes a pretty long way in dishes like this) from a

good Asian market (your choice of beef, pork, or duck!).

 

Adamantius

 

 

Date: Thu, 28 Oct 1999 11:28:53 EDT

From: LrdRas at aol.com

Subject: Re: SC - Recipes 5 & 6

 

BanAvtai at aol.com writes:

<<And how does one go about asking for a half a cup of

blood at the supermarket?  LOL This sounds like a Kodak moment.......>>

 

I just asked when I ordered my goats. The meat manager at Wegman's didn't

blink an eye. Blood is used today in making blood puddings and blood sausages

so I didn't think it odd to ask for it. I asked for 2 quarts of it though not

a half cup. :-)

 

<< Iu'liana >>

 

Ras

 

 

Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 21:57:26 EST

From: Devra at aol.com

Subject: SC - OT- interesting catalog

 

Just thought I'd mention an intersting new food catalog I received, from GOLD

MINE Organic Food Co (800-475-3663)--7805 Arjons Dr San Diego CA 92126-4368.

www.goldminenaturalfood.com

 

    Among the other interesting items I noticed were:

 

    chestnut flour

    Job's Tears (hato mugi)

    teff ("the smallest grain in the world"

    two kinds of red rice and two kinds of black rice

    spelt

    three kinds of naked barley

    hempseed

    Fleur de sel, Celtic coarse light grey sea salt, French Atlantic sea salt

    dulse

    organic rice bran

 

and a number of other exotic, bizaare (a stone hand-turned grain mill? a

solar oven?) items.  (a ceramic spickling crock?)

 

Seems worth checking into---  :-}

 

Devra the Baker

Poison Pen Press  --fine historical cookbooks

www.poisonpnepress.com

 

 

Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2000 13:06:31 -0000

From: Christina Nevin <cnevin at caci.co.uk>

Subject: SC - Game supplier

 

To everyone in the UK/Isles, I've found a great bulk supplier of game,

venison and specialty meats:

http://www.hullgame.co.uk

 

I emailed them and they replied that they do indeed sell to the general

public. Hmm, I can see my smaller feasts bursting out of the

beef/pig/sheep/chicken range already...mmm roast wood pigeon at Lammas...

 

Lucretzia

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Lady Lucrezia-Isabella di Freccia   |  mka Tina Nevin

Thamesreach Shire, The Isles, Drachenwald | London, UK

 

 

Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2000 14:59:27 EST

From: LrdRas at aol.com

Subject: Re: SC - To Rant (Fine tuning my thoughts)

 

ringofkings at mindspring.com writes:

<< white carrots to name a few) >>

 

White carrots are not extinct. You can buy the seed through any good seed

supplier. I have 10 packets laying in front of me now. The seed packet says

that they were first grown and used in 10th century Persia. They are open

pollinated so I will be leaving a few to over winter for seed production next

year (carrots are biennial). Open pollinated purple, red and yellow carrots

are also available.

 

There are also period varieties of apples still in existent in the same form

as they were in the middle ages such as Lady apples. Apples varieties are

propagated by grafting not by seed so the existing Lady apples are not

different from the original Lady apple.

 

Not all gardeners are on the 'hybrid' bandwagon. Many of us take great care

to plant open pollinated types and save seed from year to year. This doesn't

mean that serious gardeners shun hybrids but rather a concerted effort to

keep heirloom and historical varieties alive and well is in place. For

example, there may be many varieties of dill but some of us still grow and

use with regularity the standard type that has existed for millennium. The

same holds true for a multitude of other plants and animals. We have chicken,

cattle, sheep and plant breeds that were in existence throughout the SCA time

period. Unchanged. There are organizations whose members go to great lengths

to preserve and grow the old varieties. One of the new additions to my

perennial beds this year will be sea kale which I finally managed to track

down at Thomas Jefferson's home in Montecello. In 3 years I will have enough

of a stand to serve it at feast. The position that we no longer have foods

that are exactly the same as those used in the middle ages is an erroneous

concept. It simply is not true.

 

Be that as it may, I don't think that those of us on the list that advocate

being as close to period as possible are out of line. There are standards for

the practice of any art in the SCA and cookery should be no exception.

Encouraging beginners to try to be as authentic as possible should be top

priority in any art form.

 

There are cooks who present a feast that is clearly not period and they

deceptively present it as period. There is no problem with beginning cooks

preparing 'medievalish' dishes or even with advanced practitioners presenting

fun and/or periodlike dishes or even using non-period ingredients IF they

clearly state this is what they are doing in their menus. The real problem is

Kitchen Stewards who dishonor the art by deceptively presenting a dish as

'period' when it is not.

 

So far as ingredients being unavailable locally, many can be grown, most can

be ordered from somewhere or the other and with a little preplanning they are

not costly. For instance, Phlip was able to track down rabbits on the hoof

for a buck and a quarter apiece for a feast. That was much less expensive

than chicken. I get goat from Wegman's for a dollar and ninety-nine cents a

pound. Blood is free. Oftentimes they throw in livers and other ingredients

for a 'donation' mention in the menu or ingredients list flier. Pig heads

were problematical, I admit but after I suggested that they sell the jowls

and ears to me and leave the bones, skin and other things attached to them

there was no problem.

 

Game, although not the same species in most instances, is readily gotten in

my area at least. One of the most often heard phrases is 'Would you like some

venison? We are getting tired of eating it.' It certainly is not considered

exotic fare. While it may not be the exact species, it is close and it is

better than using commercial beef when it is available. The cost is free

except for a hunting license. The last venison I used was gotten after I

watched an 18 wheeler turn it's head into a bag of jelly. The police were

dutifully called and they helped tie it to the car.

 

Other folks mileage may vary but doing the best you can with what is

available, preplanning, bulk purchasing, growing your own or having someone

else grow it, letting the vendors/merchants know what you want in advance,

and carefully planning the menu around what is available/seasonal and only

using recipes which contain ingredients that are available will almost always

result in a feast that  is as close to period as possible for any given area.

 

Ras

 

 

Subject: RE: ANST - snake meat

Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2000 12:14:28 MST

From: CRICKETRED at aol.com

To: ansteorra at ansteorra.org

 

Here's a source for snake meat out of Indiana...Still workin on the

dillo.....

 

http://www.superiorseafood.com/Exotic.html

 

ps.. I can't recommend or endorse or anything... just found it in a

websearch.. hope it helps! ~Letha

 

 

Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2000 12:34:38 -0600

From: "Mark.S Harris" <rsve60 at email.sps.mot.com>

Subject: SC - rattlesnake meat

 

Gunthar,

 

I did an Internet search and did find one place that sells rattlesnake meat.

Seattle Finest Exotic Meats

http://www.exoticmeats.com

1-800-680-4375

 

$17.95 per pound. Avg. package: 3 pounds.

 

They say all their meat is farm-raised.

 

They do not list Armadillo. However, they do list alligator, antelope,

bear, boar, buffalo, caribou, cobra, duck, elk, emu, frog, goose,

kangaroo, lamb, llama, ostrich, pheasant, quail, rabbit, rattlesnake,

squab, turkey, turtle, venison, wild boar and wild turkey.

 

Ras, it sounds like you got a good deal on your emu. This place's

price is $14.50 per pound for emu fillets.

 

Bear stew meat is: $15.95 per pound and bear B.R.T. (Boned, Rolled, Tied)

roast is $14.95 per pound.

 

Stefan li Rous

stefan at texas.net

 

 

Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2000 16:20:20 -0800

From: Ron and Laurene Wells <tinyzoo at aracnet.com>

Subject: SC - Grow your own quail eggs?

 

From: Dana Huffman <letrada at yahoo.com>:

 

Did the deli mention what the minimum quantity is?  If

it's not too large, maybe you could still get them and

just have some extras with which to try something else

- - -- that pickled egg recipe that's been posted recently

wanders through my mind.  Or would it work with

smaller eggs?  Just an idea...

 

Dana/Ximena

 

- - --- Glenda Robinson <glendar at compassnet.com.au> wrote:

> D##n!!!!!!!!

>

> After all that, the gourmet deli just rang me and said that the quail-egg

> supplier won't send them the eggs, because the quantity is too small!

...

 

It would take about 4 months to start getting eggs, but have you considered

trying to grow your own quail eggs?  The season for ordering baby quail is

upon us, and there are a couple of hatcheries that send me catalogs, one of

them has an online web site: www.mcmurrayhatchery.com  

 

There is also another web site that has a whole list of various hatcheries

around the US (and maybe Canada?) that you could try to order for a lower

price.

 

http://www.cyborganic.com/People/feathersite/Poultry/BRKPoultryPage.html

 

The Feather Site also has tons and TONS of information about raising

poultry, and pictures of all the breeds that ... exist I think!!!  It is

very informative!

Coturnix quail (the ones that would produce the most eggs for you I think)

are very well adapted to living in captivity.  The Japanese raise them in

cages indoors, and do quite well with them,  The males make very loud

Cuckoo kind of a sound that... when in closed quarters gets to be rather

annoying.  They do breed readily, but they do not raise their own eggs very

well.  To hatch babies (for another generation of egg layers) you would

need to get an incubator... if you enjoyed the experience well enough that

you thought you needed more and wanted to try producing your own.

Generally quail are kept in trios, two females to a male. I'm sure there

is some variation to this.  Anyway, I have thought about raising quail for

the delicate eggs several times (the shells are a DICKENS to crack

though!!) but so far have not taken the plunge.  Just thought I would

propose this idea to those of you who cater feasts and such on a regular

basis and would find the investment of your own quail worthwhile!  I have

heard they are pretty good to eat too?  So you would have a use for the

cockerels that you didnt keep for breeders.

 

- -Laurene

 

 

Date: Wed, 1 Mar 2000 22:12:58 EST

From: LrdRas at aol.com

Subject: SC - Conch

 

stefan at texas.net writes:

<< And where do you get conch? >>

 

I am unaware of any period recipes using conch but would love to see them if

they are. Scungilli is one of my favorite Italian foods. Conch (i.e.,

Scungilli) is available canned in some supermarkets or can often be found

fresh or canned in groceries that cater to Italians.

 

Ras

 

 

Date: Sun, 05 Mar 2000 15:25:37 -0800

From: william wheeler <wuffa at inetarena.com>

Subject: SC - RE: Abalone

 

Ras , not to say that I am right and you are not BUT you can get fresh

abalone shipped to you anywhere from :

 

1-888-ABALONE (US Abalone at abmail at usabalone.com )

and for live Abalone The Abalone Farm P.O. box 136 Cayucos Ca 93430

(877.367.2271)for Live Abalone shiped anywhere.

 

and then the inports for live, fresh frozen, canned and vacuum

packed. http://www.doverabalone.com/

 

and We supply Live Abalone, Dried Abalone, Canned Abalone, Frozen

Abalone; from Australia

       to any airport in the World. at

http://www.ozemail.com.au/~interon/

 

 

Date: Sun, 23 Apr 2000 08:51:37 -0400

From: margali <margali at 99main.com>

Subject: Re: SC - A new project....

 

>>>

Now, if you could get hold of some dulse strips, that's your ideal finger

food. Definitely vegan, eminently documentable as a snack (Egill

Skallagrímsson was nibbling on them in the 10th century, or so the sagas

say) and quite tasty (at least if you are an Icelander and have been

chewing them since childhood).

 

Nanna

<<<

 

I know a source of dulse and other sea vegetables-

Gold Mine Natural Food Co

1-800-475-food

[3663]

 

Dulse - 2 oz - $4.79, 1 lb - $26.95

applewood smoked dulse - 2 oz $4.99

 

margali

 

 

Date: Fri, 12 May 2000 07:06:40 -0400

From: Philip & Susan Troy <troy at asan.com>

Subject: Re: SC - blood

 

lilinah at earthlink.net wrote:

> Now that i have been assured that blood was indeed used in cooking

> "in period" (not that i doubted it, but i was looking for info - and

> thanks for all the recipes and descriptions), i now inquire as to

> where one might find it... Any ideas, other than haunting slaughter

> houses?

>

> Anahita

 

Well, the thing to do is to get somebody else to haunt the

slaughterhouse _for_ you. You can often order blood in pint or quart

containers, either fresh or frozen, from your local butcher (but maybe

not the guy in the supermarket). Really large Asian markets will

sometimes carry it, again, fresh or frozen, usually pork or duck blood,

but occasionally beef.

 

I've also seen cooked blood, in reddish-brown cakes like tofu, in Asian

markets as recently as last night.

 

Adamantius

 

 

Date: Fri, 25 Aug 2000 20:31:36 -0400

From: "Diana" <tantra at optonline.net>

Subject: SC - interesting URL - food shopping!

 

I've found a lovely site that has chestnut flour.

Any ideas what to do with it?

 

www.ethnicgrocer.com

 

Diana d'Avignon

 

 

Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2000 23:56:52 EST

From: LadyPDC at aol.com

Subject: Re: SC - Venison Suppliers?

 

ldyelisbth at yahoo.com writes:

>      Does anyone have any good links for Venison suppliers?

>

> Elisabeth

 

<A HREF="http://www.gamesalesintl.com/index.html";>Games Sales International, Inc., Purveyors Of Exotic Meats And Specialty Foods</A>

 

Constance

 

 

Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 20:34:45 -0800

From: "E. Rain" <raghead at liripipe.com>

Subject: SC - RE: venison suppliers

 

here's a message a friend sent me about some friends of hers who are selling

bambi.  I don't know about thier shipping options or anything else since i

haven't followed up on this yet myself, but farm raised bambi is not to be

sneezed at....

 

Eden

 

> Greetings Eden,

> Last year I told you of some Mundane friends of mine who were beginning

> a business raising Fallow Deer for sale as venison. At that time you had

> many questions I did not know.

> I saw Wilmina & Ivan again at the same art fair and they informed me

> their herd is large enough to begin slaughtering & selling. PLUS they

> now have an email address so you can contact them directly & ask the

> questions I couldn't answer.

> I don't gain by their business at all, just think their venison would

> add a nice touch to feasts.

> They are:

> Black Pine Deer Farm

> Ivan & Wilmina Phelps

> (208)325-8886

> ivanp at ctcweb.net

>

> Go ahead & share this information. The Phelps have heard a little

> something about the SCA from me.

>

> Morgaina

 

 

Date: Thu, 14 Dec 2000 17:08:01 -0800

From: Ron and Laurene Wells <tinyzoo at home.com>

Subject: SC - Black Pine Deer Farm

 

Hey, WOW!  I've been to this Deer Farm, and have video of the deer on

tape!  The man was kind enough to give our (rather large) family a tour of

his farm when we were there last summer.  VERY impressive! If we can ever

get our ATI All-in-wonder video card working, maybe I can find that tape

and get a picture of the deer for you?  Email me privately if you are

interested.  They are mostly spotted deer.  The meat wasn't cheap if I

remember, but reasonable for what you are getting!!  These deer are NOT

abused by any means, trust me!  They have ample romping acerage, trees to

hide and sleep under, and a rancher who really seems to love them.  He was

a VERY nice man, and I would love to know people are supporting his

business!  He's invested a LOT of time and money into his venture,

including 12 foot fences all around the entire property. He's done a

really good job.  OH!  And these are NOT American deer, they are European

Fallow Deer, as the post mentions.  So you really would be getting

something close to what Robin Hood might have eaten at your Medieval feast!

 

Merry Christmas!!

- -Laurene

 

 

Date: Tue, 26 Dec 2000 09:25:24 -0600

From: Diana L Skaggs <upsxdls_osu at ionet.net>

Subject: SC - Buying lamb

 

>To keep this on topic, I will mention that it is VERY hard, to my disgust,

>to find lamb in Ansteorra.  I spent many years in Chicago, which has a high

>Greek population and I could get lamb any time of the year, in almost any

>quantity (sometimes you had to order ahead for a leg, but there were always

>steaks and ground lamb available).  Here I just see very expensive cyropaks.

>I do like beef, but occasionally want something lamb. Any suggestions,

>other than stocking the freezer when I see a deal?

>                                        ---= Morgan

 

I stumbled on to the OSU meat lab a few years ago. Students training to

become butchers and meat inspectors have cattle, pigs and lambs to

slaughter, inspect and butcher.  They sell meat as a sideline, usually at

better prices than the local stores.  Since they have instructors watching

everything they do, I didn't worry about bad cuts. Everything is sold

prewrapped and frozen, so you can't inspect by sight. But, in buying over

several years, I never purchased any bad meat.  

 

Leanna

 

 

Date: Wed, 27 Dec 2000 09:40:22 -0600

From: "Decker, Terry D." <TerryD at Health.State.OK.US>

Subject: RE: SC - Buying lamb

 

Stillwater, Oklahoma, but your local Ag university or college might be a

good place to check.

 

Bear

 

> Now where in the phone book would one find an OSU meat lab???

>

> Olwen

 

 

Date: Fri, 19 Jan 2001 18:32:52 -0500 (EST)

From: Jenne Heise <jenne at mail.browser.net>

Subject: SC - Local Harvest search engine

 

thought this site reviewed on the Librarians Index to the Internet might

be of interest to cooks & feast planners:

 

"    Local Harvest - http://www.localharvest.org/

        This is the retail face of sustainable agriculture! Search

        by zip code for locally grown foods from small farms.

        Database includes farmers' markets, U-Pick farms, farm

        stands, meat/dairy/egg producers, and CSAs (community

        supported agriculture) offering regular delivery of

        seasonal produce to local depots. Also searchable by

        state, crop type, name, or key words from the description.

        Listings include locations, contact information, and lists

        of available products by season. - pf "

- --

Jadwiga Zajaczkowa, mka Jennifer Heise          jenne at tulgey.browser.net

 

 

Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2001 21:32:00 -0000

From: "Olwen the Odd" <olwentheodd at hotmail.com>

Subject: SC - Restaurant Depot locations

 

Hi all.  When I was at Restaruant Depot buy yet more brie and stuff I picked

up their sale flyer.  (Speaking of cheap cheese, this week they have blocks

of mozzarella for $1.25 lb.)  Anyway, they have a website that lists all

their locations.  If your interested go to http://www.restaurantdepot.com

 

Olwen

 

 

Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2001 14:10:55 -0700

From: James Prescott <prescotj at telusplanet.net>

Subject: Re: SC - FWD - carrot supplier

 

>Where in the world can I find red, white, or purple

>carrots?.  I have found a seed supply house for red and white carrots

>but I am looking for a market where I can buy them already grown.  I

>thank you in advance for your kind help.

>

>Steve Vaught

 

Around Christmas our ordinary local supermarket in Calgary Canada had

purple carrots on offer (I immediately bought some, of course).

 

This suggests that some ordinary grocery wholesalers in North America

offer them.  You might try asking your local supermarket for the names

of their suppliers, and then contact those suppliers.

 

If you have access to a specialty grocery they might be willing to

bring in a box just for you.

- --

Thorvald Grimsson / James Prescott <prescotj at telusplanet.net> (PGP user)

 

 

Date: Thu, 08 Mar 2001 11:14:48 -0500

From: Tom Bilodeau <tirloch at cox.rr.com>

Subject: Re: SC - Game and exotic meat source!

 

Here is another source of wonderful exotic meats:

http://www.exoticmeats.com/

 

Phone number is 800-680-4375.

 

They are located in Seattle.

 

I have purchased wild boar (YUMMY) and venison from them for high table serving

and for special hoursehold dinners.  They ship the food to you packed in dry ice

and the service is prompt and reliable.

 

~Tirloch

 

 

Date: Tue, 27 Mar 2001 15:37:13 -500

From: "Tara Sersen"<tsersen at nni.com>

Subject: Re: SC - pomegarnate juice

 

>Well, it depends where you look, I think. Look for ethnic grocery stores

>as tiny little 'convenience' stores in the bad parts of the nearest city.

 

A lot of ethnic restaurants also sell ingredients.  I can get some stuff at

the Lebanese restaurant two blocks from where I work, including pomegranate

juice, bulk bulgar, halava (sp?), and great, fresh pita. All while waiting

for an awesome falafel sandwich :)

 

- -Magdalena

 

 

Date: Thu, 04 Oct 2001 18:35:55 +1000

From: Angelfire <angelfire2 at dingoblue.net.au>

To: sca-cooks at ansteorra.org

Subject: Re: [Sca-cooks] Massively expensive feast WAS: Smithsonian Stuff

 

Olwen the Odd wrote:

> So...where did you get the camel again???  Never had camel.  I didn't know

> people ate them.  Then again, it never occurred to me to think about it.

 

> For information purposes in Australia most game meat butcher (those that carry

> the more exotic meat ) carry camel at least in Steak form, I know of several

> in Sydney that do,

 

Angelfire

 

 

Date: Mon, 4 Mar 2002 13:47:02 -0800 (PST)

From: Kim Schab <madchefla at yahoo.com>

Subject: Re: [Sca-cooks] Blood Oranges was Supper Tonight

To: sca-cooks at ansteorra.org

 

I don't know if anyone is interested but there is a

company called Harvest Sensations which is available

on line and carries a number of unusual specialty

fruits and vegetables, the blood oranges made me think

about it...and they'll fast ship to you.  They also

have a large line of organic lettuces etc.  It's nice

to know when you live in the middle of the desert, I

can still get California produce.

 

Alessandra

 

 

From: Bronwynmgn at aol.com

Date: Tue, 23 Jul 2002 10:07:37 EDT

Subject: Re: [Sca-cooks] Feast quantities

To: sca-cooks at ansteorra.org

 

rcmann4 at earthlink.net writes:

> .  I admit to looking wistfully at quail ($5 each),

 

I've got a local source for quail which, if you buy by the 25-bird pack,

works out to $2.62/bird.  If I remember properly, single birds are $3 each.

It's over here in Northern Lancaster County, PA, probably about a 2 hour

drive from you.  The things are frozen solid; it took over 24 hours for them

to thaw, and I ended up soaking them to get them all the way thawed in time

to cook.  Bring a cooler with you, and they would not be noticeably warmer

when you got home :-)

 

Brangwayna

PS they also sell 3 kinds of duck and various other sorts of really

interesting poultry, and rabbit.

 

www.eberlypoultry.com

 

 

From: BaronessaIlaria at aol.com

Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 15:02:48 EDT

To: sca-cooks at ansteorra.org

Subject: [Sca-cooks] Fava beans and other things

 

While cruising for various feast ingredients, I came across The Global

Marketplace (url: http://www.globalfoodmarket.com/ ) and they sell 1 pound

bags of split "baby" fava beans at $2 for 16 ounces and two other types as

well. Among other things, they have the rosewater I was looking for in a 10

ounce bottle for 2.50 (and orange flower water at the same price),

pomegranate molasses in a 12 ounce bottle for 3.75, and other things like

wheat berries, mastic, rose buds, barberries, spanish saffron at 38.00 per

ounce, and galingal powder or dried.

 

The real problems with using them are: no search function on the website so

you either have to prowl the various sections (dangerous if you like to buy

neat things!) or know where the item you want is likely to come from.

Countries/areas represented are: Eastern Mediterranean, France, India, Spain,

South American and the Caribbean, the Orient, Italy, America, Africa and

"Legumes of the World". Additionally, they have a minimum purchase of $25.00,

but with the variety of spiffy things on the site, that's not so hard to

reach.

 

Definitely fun to browse if nothing else: http://www.globalfoodmarket.com/

 

Ilaria

 

 

From: jenne at fiedlerfamily.net

Date: Mon, 14 Oct 2002 14:39:24 -0400 (EDT)

To: <sca-cooks at ansteorra.org>

Subject: [Sca-cooks] listing of local farm markets

 

I don't know if everyone is aware of this site:

http://www.localharvest.org/

 

It's a directory of Farmer's Markets, Co-op Farms, etc. by area.

 

-- Jadwiga Zajaczkowa

 

 

From: "Stephanie Ross" <hlaislinn at earthlink.net>

To: "SCA Cooks List" <sca-cooks at ansteorra.org>,

   <Trimariscookslist at yahoogroups.com>

Date: Wed, 23 Oct 2002 10:12:02 -0400

Subject: [Sca-cooks] wild game meats

 

I had saved this ad in my circular file of period recipes. I thought someone might have use for it.

 

Game Sales International

 

Game birds and meats: duck, quail, pheasant, squab, poussin, ostrich, venison, elk, buffalo, veal, rabbit, wild boar, rattlesnake, alligator, kangaroo, lamb

 

Specialty Products: foie gras, pate, mousse, exotic mushrooms, truffles, seasonings, flavored oils, berries, gourmet rice

 

1-800-729-2090

www.gamesalesintl.com

 

Aislinn

 

 

Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2003 10:27:26 -0700

From: Patrick McKinnion <patgund at earthlink.net>

Subject: [Sca-cooks] Yak - The Other Red Meat

To: "sca-cooks at ansteorra.org" <sca-cooks at ansteorra.org>

 

     If anyone has ever wanted to try Yak, this is the place.   They have Yak

steaks, Yak Medallions, Yak Bratwurst, Shreded Yak, Yak Jerky, and Yak

Burgers.

http://www.mcrobertsgourmetfoods.com/

 

     May have to see about getting some.

 

     - Padraig o Connell

 

 

Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2004 13:04:51 -0500 (DT)

From: "Pixel, Goddess and Queen" <pixel at hundred-acre-wood.com>

Subject: [Sca-cooks] froggie cuisine

To: Cooks within the SCA <sca-cooks at ansteorra.org>

 

In my quest for fermented black beans with which to make X in black bean

sauce, I discovered that one of my local oriental markets* has frogs in

their freezer--whole frogs. Labelled "FROG". Does one cook a whole frog in

any Asian cuisine, or does one remove the meaty bits, or what? I've seen

frog's *legs* at the expensive groceries, but this is definitely an entire

froggy, on a foam tray wrapped in plastic.

 

*and they are all three of them titled "[name] Oriental Market"

 

Margaret, wo still has tendonitis and is going out of her mind with

boredom...

 

 

Date: Tue, 19 Oct 2004 17:07:13 -0400

From: "marilyn traber 011221" <phlip at 99main.com>

Subject: Re: [Sca-cooks] substitutes for asses' milk

To: jenne at fiedlerfamily.net, Cooks within the SCA

      <sca-cooks at ansteorra.org>

 

> someone I was talking to recently was wondering what the closest

> approximation in modernly available milks would be for ass's milk?

> -- Jadwiga Zajaczkowa,

 

Horse milk. It is available, it's just very hard to find, but if you

Surf the 'Net, you should find sources.

 

Saint Phlip,

CoD

 

 

Date: Thu, 28 Apr 2005 14:23:36 -0400

From: Jadwiga Zajaczkowa / Jenne Heise <jenne at fiedlerfamily.net>

Subject: [Sca-cooks] Farmers Market finders

To: Cooks within the SCA <sca-cooks at ansteorra.org>,   East Kingdom Cooks

      Guild <EKCooksGuild at yahoogroups.com>

 

It's that time again, and Librarian's Index to the Internet posted this:

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

  2. AMS Farmers Markets

----------------------------------------------------------------------

    Use this site to find a farmer's market in your state and learn

    more about farmer's markets. Includes fact sheets, regulations,

    statistics, and more. From the Agricultral Marketing Service of

    the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

 

   http://www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets/

--

-- Jadwiga Zajaczkowa, Knowledge Pika jenne at fiedlerfamily.net

 

 

Date: Thu, 28 Apr 2005 14:42:31 -0400

From: Jadwiga Zajaczkowa / Jenne Heise <jenne at fiedlerfamily.net>

Subject: [Sca-cooks] and another

To: Cooks within the SCA <sca-cooks at ansteorra.org>,   East Kingdom Cooks

      Guild <EKCooksGuild at yahoogroups.com>

 

again from LIIWEEK:

 

19. Local Harvest

----------------------------------------------------------------------

    Search or browse to find "all the farmers' markets, family farms,

    locally-grown produce, grass-fed meats, and other sources of

    sustainably grown food in your area." Iincludes farmers' markets,

    U-Pick farms, farm stands, meat/dairy/egg producers, and more.

    Listings include locations, contact information, and lists of

    available products by season.

 

   http://www.localharvest.org/

--

-- Jadwiga Zajaczkowa, Knowledge Pika jenne at fiedlerfamily.net

 

 

Date: Mon, 9 May 2005 15:48:43 -0400

From: "Glenn A. Crawford" <tavernkeeper at phoenixroost.com>

Subject: RE: [Sca-cooks] Red Tower Cooking contest

To: "'Cooks within the SCA'" <sca-cooks at ansteorra.org>

 

>> There are also slightly more exotic, hard-to-find veggies that were common

>> in earlier times, like cardoons or ramps (a type of wild onion or

>> leek).

 

>> Vittoria

 

One of my purveyors http://www.sidwainer.com/ ran a special all last month

on Ramps. They can get a lot of different hard-to-find veggies, but they are an

East Coast Company.

 

Terrain

 

 

Date: Sun, 11 Sep 2005 12:34:22 -0400

From: ranvaig at columbus.rr.com

Subject: [Sca-cooks] source for unusual produce

To: Cooks within the SCA <sca-cooks at ansteorra.org>

 

I found a site that ships many kinds of mushrooms, seville oranges,

and many other exotic produce. I couldn't find a price list, I don't

image they are cheap, but it might be useful.

 

They had good information on what is in season.

http://www.theproducehunter.com/

 

 

Date: Sun, 11 Sep 2005 18:47:45 +0000

From: "Holly Stockley" <hollyvandenberg at hotmail.com>

Subject: RE: [Sca-cooks] source for unusual produce

To: sca-cooks at ansteorra.org

 

Not quite.  The Produce Hunter is a strange little character who wanders the

globe in serach of new produce, then introduces it to retailers. He writes

for Gourmet, the Times, and other publications.  He brought the donut peach

and other rare fruits to prominence.  Looks like he is now hooked up with a

distributor.  While they probably won't sell to you directly, you MIGHT be

able to get a list of retailers.

 

On the flip side, a LOT of rare fruits are pretty readily available

seasonally to grocery stores.  You might have a polite word with your  

local produce manager and see what he/she might be willing to do.

 

Femke

 

 

> I found a site that ships many kinds of mushrooms, seville oranges, and

> many other exotic produce. I couldn't find a price list, I don't  

> imagine they are cheap, but it might be useful.

>

> They had good information on what is in season.

>

> http://www.theproducehunter.com/

 

 

Date: Wed, 23 May 2007 18:11:43 -0700

From: Susan Fox <selene at earthlink.net>

Subject: Re: [Sca-cooks] 2 Questions: 1 On Fat and 1 Not

To: Cooks within the SCA <sca-cooks at lists.ansteorra.org>

 

On 5/23/07 2:14 PM, "silverr0se at aol.com" <silverr0se at aol.com> wrote:

> Question 1 - does anyone know of a supplier for pork belly? Between Andreas

> Viestad on New Scandinavian Cooking and Ming there are a couple of  

> recipes I'm dying to try.

 

99 Ranch Market or any other Asian butcher.  I saw it there just today.

Frequently you will see it sliced like bacon, only not smoky.

 

Selene

 

 

Date: Thu, 31 May 2007 21:20:59 -0700 (PDT)

From: Carole Smith <renaissancespirit2 at yahoo.com>

Subject: Re: [Sca-cooks] 2 Questions: 1 On Fat and 1 Not

To: Cooks within the SCA <sca-cooks at lists.ansteorra.org>

 

Try them.  They are my source for (frozen) ducks and geese out of  

season, and at good prices!

   Cordelia Toser

 

silverr0se at aol.com wrote:

<<< Thanks, Selene!

 

I've never been brave enough to look in the meat section at 99 Ranch.

 

Renata >>>

 

On 5/23/07 2:14 PM, "silverr0se at aol.com" wrote:

<<< Question 1 - does anyone know of a supplier for pork belly? Between Andreas

Viestad on New Scandinavian Cooking and Ming there are a couple of  

recipes I'm dying to try. >>>

 

99 Ranch Market or any other Asian butcher. I saw it there just today.

Frequently you will see it sliced like bacon, only not smoky.

 

Selene

 

 

Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2007 14:55:20 -0400

From: "Saint Phlip" <phlip at 99main.com>

Subject: Re: [Sca-cooks] Game sources (bunny, venison) question

To: "Cooks within the SCA" <sca-cooks at lists.ansteorra.org>

 

On 10/12/07, Michael Gunter <countgunthar at hotmail.com> wrote:

> I'm doing our Central Regional 12th Night feast and playing with  

> some ideas. Most of the feast will be pretty inexpensive so I may  

> try to spring for a couple of interesting luxury items. One of the  

> things I'm looking at is from Curye on Inglysch, "Hares in  

> Papdeyle" which is a rabbit ragout between sheets of pastry.

>

> This shouldn't take too much rabbit meat for 200 diners, I'm  

> looking at 15 or so carcasses but that will cost me around $200  

> from the sources I've found. Anyone have suggestions of  

> distributors? I'm also looking for inexpensive opportunities for  

> wild game, venison or boar.

 

Well, when I did the rabbit with Ras, we got it from a local farmer.

All I had to do was go in, tell him I wanted however many rabbits to

butcher on the date I wanted them, and he bred them and had them

waiting. We butchered ourselves, of course, but most people who raise

rabbits will sell them to you either live or dressed. I'd suggest

going down to the local feed store and asking the people there who

raises meat rabbits. Feed store people know that sort of thing, and

you won't risk upsetting someone who keeps them as pets.

 

There are also people who raise specific beeds of rabbit, on specific

feeds, for fur, and if you find one of those folks, you'd likely get

the carcasses at an even better price. But, start at your local feed

store. They know who's doing what with livestock. I'd make that

suggestion no matter what meat animal you're looking for, including

game animals. Lotta talking gets done in the feed stores ;-) Just make

sure it's the kind that sells to farmers, not the kind that sells to

suburbanites.

 

> Right now nothing is in concrete, I'm just playing with ideas. I  

> may combine rabbit and chicken to stretch the meat budget further.

>

> Gunthar

--

Saint Phlip

 

 

Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2007 14:58:02 -0400

From: "Kerri Martinsen" <kerrimart at mindspring.com>

Subject: Re: [Sca-cooks] Game sources (bunny, venison) question

To: "Cooks within the SCA" <sca-cooks at lists.ansteorra.org>

 

Around where I'm at the best 2 places to get bunny are the Base Commessary

($3/lb bone in whole) and the Big Asian Market (Han-Aran) (sp).   Slightly

cheaper than the commessary I think.  Rabbits run around 1.5-2 lbs per bunny.

 

But that is in Baltimore, MD

 

Vitha

 

<the end>



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