I ate bear | The press

This column was published on Tuesday, December 9, 1986, on the A5 page. Nevertheless, We republish it without altering the words that the author used at the time.

Posted at 6:15 a.m.

Lalalèreu, Sunday, I ate bear! In addition, And raccoon!

There was also on the menu of the deer, but this is very ordinary game. In addition, While bear, my dear! Additionally, In addition, And the raccoon, old man! Nevertheless, Attention ! However, This is the kind of cattle that makes a big impression on the Hunter of Outremont rabbits.

And wait for my next i ate bear | press trip to Paris! Therefore, That I find myself in the living room of one of these Quebecers installed there. Similarly, and who often have some colleagues at their table Monde Or some Japanese filmmaker. In addition, The last time was a border doctor back from Afghanistan. For example, What had he ate him? In addition, Was it from the fricassee of bat bladder, or languages of dromedaries in ginseng? However, In any case, it was very very rare and very very good …

– And you in Canada, do you eat whataa?

At that time, you seem so suburbated to answer things like: pork chops and butter noodles. In addition, Next time, I’m going to triumph:

– In Canada, we eat bear, Lalalèreu! Nevertheless, And raccoon …

By the way, i ate bear | press it is not even in Canada, that I ate it. Meanwhile, It is in the States. However, Very close to my home, in Montgomery Center. In addition, Every year. In addition, the first Sunday in December, Montgomery firefighters serve a hunting meal in the great village hall of the Anglican church. Therefore, Announced long in advance in local newspapers on both sides of the border. Similarly, and even announced in Montreal, on Cjad, this hunting meal is ultimately run by Quebecers than by local Americans.

Long before noon, the church court fills with cars, and even some buses. Furthermore, The room is soon too full. However, in the entrance, the lines of the guests are lined up, made impatient by the scent of grilled venison, which assail them by large puffs, each time the door opens.

When you entered it. i ate bear | press Nevertheless, you have to play a little elbow to find room for long tables where 300 guests, at least, ripaille in front of overflowing plates.

We are going to be served in front of large boards, identified by bilingual signs. However, Here the bear. Meanwhile, There the raccoon. Then the deer. There was also rabbit. smoked trout, and the vulgar turkey that looked well paid well and domestic in this exotic display.

People, even the old ones who pass to eat little, would refrain two or three times. Amazing appetite, to which the Montgomery firefighters have sacrificed, this year, a dozen deer, five bear and 35 rats washer.

– Do you like it Madame Bear?

– Oh yes, it’s good!

– And raccoon?

– It’s even better.

She was a lady from Saint-Hyacinthe, who came by bus with her golden age club. She was on her second plate. and I had the flash:

– El de l’Agneau, you like that from the lamb, madam?

– And in ICI?

– At all. I ask you, just the same …

– No sir! The lamb no, we are not strong on this. It is especially Europeans …

Curious. Lamb no. But the bear, yes! … Pork kidneys, Wouache! It’s good for Italians. Veal brain? Beurk …

On the other hand, a small raccoon buttock, yum, yum, what a feast!

I did not i ate bear | press regret my exit. I liked the atmosphere of this large village hall, full of heat and all kinds of people. Montrealer with the neglected studied, who came here as they go to a brunch at the Ritz. Infined peasants, high hunters and slightly lit in fur helmet …

The food too, in the end, I liked. Smoke trout was a little wonder. From a spontaneous refinement, I mean a natural success, without gastronomic premeditation. (Besides. the people of the north of Vermont do not suspect, I believe, of the rare delicacy of their smokes, whether they do the hobby of corn, whether for their fish, their meats and especially their cheddars. But let us quickly close the parenthesis on this gastronomy which does not yet know that it is. which makes its low prices and its great charm).

Smoke trout, i ate bear | press good. Very very good. But the bear? Bof the bear … and the raccoon? And even the deer? Rerebof the Raton Later. the Deer…

Anyway, after a few forks, when everything is mixed on the plate, there is no longer any way to know what is what. Very clever which could distinguish the deer from the bear. the raccoon, although the latter is a little more fatty.

Between you and me, there is indeed bullshit in the interest that we have in game. There is especially the justification of the hunter: we do not kill because we are killers. we kill because it is so good. You talk, make me laugh with your big rifle!

Okay, deer? This is not the first time I ate it on Sunday, and I can’t find it bad. It’s i ate bear | press exactly like a horse … What makes me laugh is that most people who were delirious on the deer find that horse is disgusting …

Okay, partridges? This is the one that I understand the least. I am picking up this volatile with the collar with great ease, makes me try it in all the sauces. At first, I said to myself Cout’Donc, it’s because I don’t know how to prepare it. But no. I have eaten elsewhere, in so-called gastronomes. It’s always very dry! And when that is not it is that we have gone the bacon partridge to give it a little fat. and finally she just tastes the bacon …

I pulled many bibes in my life. Besides. as Italian, the first question I ask about an animal that I do not know, is always: “Do you i ate bear | press eat?” »… All my youth I ate soup made with the birds that my father caught in the garden. When I went to China I wanted to eat dog; I also eaten shark, turtle, snake, grasshoppers, cat once; Since Sunday bear and raccoon. Finally, like all the little guys, I ate three or four earthworms to impress the little girls around the corner … It could even be that I have already eaten humans. I am not sure, but I was very very sick this time, and I got into the idea that there is only man (or woman) for having made me feel widening at this point …

In short, believe the most eclectic carnivores: nothing beats a roast pork!

Yes! THE popular pigwhich already gives us ham, sausage, rillettes, sausage, bacon, andouillette. He also gives us his buttock i ate bear | press … sting with garlic. Salt, pepper. Put in the oven for an hour or two, depending on the size.

And let’s give up peace to be bears and rats.