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x Sep 30th, 2002 10:25 AM

Pigs feet
 
Looking at some restaurant's specialties it seems that pig's feet and knuckles (?) are considered food, even good food, in Paris. Has anyone ever tried them? Liked them?

Pups Sep 30th, 2002 11:07 AM

Pup likes them but then again, you can never trust his taste!<BR>He likes pigs ears too!

ira Sep 30th, 2002 11:10 AM

They are also eaten in Germany and Italy.<BR>chacun a son gout.

x Sep 30th, 2002 11:10 AM

I am not joking! There is even a restaurant, "au pied de cochon", whose specialty is pig's hooves in bearnaise sauce. I would like to be culturally open-minded, but I'm a coward and I want to know if anyone else has dared try these first and their reaction to the dish!

emeril Sep 30th, 2002 11:14 AM

you've never had pickled pigs feet? It's a southern delicacy. Nothing like knawing on a pig knuckle on a summer afternoon sittig on the levy.

Pig Sep 30th, 2002 11:14 AM

x,<BR>Where other than McDonald's and Burger King have you eaten??

pups Sep 30th, 2002 11:21 AM

Actually, x, I was not kidding. Pup does love Pigs Ears.<BR>They serve pigs feet and parts all over the world, look on any menu in NYC!<BR>I personally would avoid a pigs foot, ick ick, but they are loved by some!

Billie Sep 30th, 2002 11:24 AM

Gimme a pigfoot and a bottle of beer.

anne Sep 30th, 2002 11:26 AM

Cmon guys x is looking for a real answer. Sorry, I have not tried them. Would rather have other delicacies there. <BR>hey just try them!! think of the stories you culd tell. If it is a nice restuarnat give it a try. I would not buy them off a street vendor.

btilke Sep 30th, 2002 11:27 AM

Not a big deal. You can get them at many PA Dutch markets, including the Lancaster, Lebanon, and Allentown farmers markets. My father used to make a dish called "souse", which is/was essentially jellied pickled pig´s feet. I´d come home from school to see a row of pig´s feet on the kitchen table. I would never eat the stuff, but it´s a fairly common PA Dutch dish.<BR>BTilke (Brussels)

Dick Yeager Sep 30th, 2002 11:29 AM

This spring in Germany, I tried Fried Pork Knuckles.........absolutely great!!!!!! Once I had them, I kept ordering them when they were on the menu. Super!! Much like Osso bucco or Lamb Shanks, only crispier.<BR><BR>I believe that when you are in another country, you "go with the flow". I also like Wild Boar. In France, I ordered Jugged Wild Boar. It was one of the best meals I have ever had. <BR><BR>After we returned home, I found a recipe for Jugged Hare on the Luxembourg website. I read the recipe and preparation. Had I known how it was prepared, I would not have ordered it. <BR><BR>Stupidity is wonderful! Enjoy!<BR><BR>Dick

JOdy Sep 30th, 2002 11:51 AM

Pig's feet are a common bar snack in PA too. My mother loved them but they look too footy for me!<BR><BR>However pig's knuckle is smiliar to ham hocks, just not smoked and they are wonderful! Now I'm sure you've eaten ham hocks with no problem, in soups or boiled with vegetables. The knuckle I had was roasted and wonderful!

Doug Sep 30th, 2002 11:55 AM

I was in Quebec City last year and had fried moose lips. They were delicious.

Red Sep 30th, 2002 11:55 AM

I ordered jambon at Bofinger in Paris thinking I was getting a piece of ham but it turned out to be a giant ham hock, which I believe is close to the foot somewhere. It was magnificant. The meat just fell off the bone and the gravy or sauce was so silky. I've used them in soups before and they are very good.

Wendy Sep 30th, 2002 11:56 AM

Didn't order them but while at dinner at Au pied du cochon we saw MANY people with them. As you said x- the restaurant is famous for them in Paris.

Pig Sep 30th, 2002 11:58 AM

X,<BR>Maybe I was a little harsh.<BR>I have eaten pigs feet for over thirty years.<BR>One of the best ways to prepare them is in combination with corned beef.<BR>Put them in a roster with a corned beef roast-Heaven, really makes for great pigs feet.

Burta Sep 30th, 2002 12:14 PM

EAT THEM? Not only do we Chinese eat them, we relish them! We eat every part of the animal and delight in it -- the stranger the better!<BR><BR>Actually, in poorer, agricultural communities, it's just practical to eat as much of the animal as possible. I believe that all over the world our great cuisines have grown out of this practice.

x Sep 30th, 2002 12:45 PM

Great! I consider myself quite open-minded about food, I just wanted some idea of what to expect before diving right in! After reading these replies, I do think I'll give them a try! Besides, what doesn't taste good in bearnaise sauce?

Melissa Sep 30th, 2002 04:26 PM

I not only eat them abroad, but at home as well. I went to Au Pied de Cochon with my brother and I had the pig foot in bernaise sauce. It was delicious! however, it was a pretty big serving, so the richness of the whole thing (fried, mind you) made it hard to finish. My brother ate the pig foot that was stuffed with duck liver. That was REALLY delicious and I wish I ordered that one instead! But I'm sure that was equally rich. We walked a lot before & after dinner so it wouldn't totally grief our arteries.<BR><BR>Like Burta always tells me, "the Chinese eat what must be improved." I'm a runner so I guess that helps me???

Patrick Sep 30th, 2002 04:45 PM

I've had pig's knuckle several times and loved it. Have tried pig's feet and thought they were OK, but certainly would depend upon how they were prepared.<BR>I believe people put too much emphasis on the names of food. How many people would order pig's butt and fried unborn chicken fetus off a menu??? Yet, ham and eggs are sure popular. It's all in the name.


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