Let them eat pigeon
September 1975. Jackson, Mississippi had two problems: how to feed the homeless cost-effectively, and how to get rid of the pigeons whose numbers were getting out of control downtown.
Solution — trap the pigeons and feed them to the homeless. The birds were served broiled in gravy.
Unfortunately, many of the homeless refused to eat them. The director of the rescue mission admitted the birds were "tough" and "the taste was strange," but hoped the flavor would improve if prepared in a pressure cooker.
Solution — trap the pigeons and feed them to the homeless. The birds were served broiled in gravy.
Unfortunately, many of the homeless refused to eat them. The director of the rescue mission admitted the birds were "tough" and "the taste was strange," but hoped the flavor would improve if prepared in a pressure cooker.
The Berkshire Eagle - Sep 13, 1975
Comments
I offered this up as a solution to that Boca in Florida that was over run by Iguana. And the same could be used for all the coon, turkey, geese, deer & moose running around urban areas. They're all edible.
Homeless & starving?? Only steak and eggs will quell your hunger.
Homeless & starving?? Only steak and eggs will quell your hunger.
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 03/31/16 at 10:37 AM
It probably tastes better if you call it squab?
http://www.pigeonsformeat.com/index.php/utility-pigeons/4-whatissquab
http://www.pigeonsformeat.com/index.php/utility-pigeons/4-whatissquab
Posted by BMN on 03/31/16 at 10:39 AM
Can't confirm the taste difference but squab is sure to cost more than pigeon so feeding it to a batch of indigent, near-do-wells living off the backs of hard working citizens is OUT! They can settle for pigeon or starve!
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 03/31/16 at 10:42 AM
Although their intentions seem good, this is yet just another modest proposal to feed the poor.
Posted by KDP on 03/31/16 at 12:45 PM
Most people today have not tasted game meats. I've had squirrel, rabbit, quail, wild turkey, etc. I haven't had some of the more southern things like snake, alligator, crawfish, etc.
Posted by BrokeDad in Midwest US on 03/31/16 at 03:13 PM
Soaking in salt water usually takes the gaminess out of the meat. Also, broiling does not sound like the best way to prepare them. I'd think slow roasting would be the best.
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 03/31/16 at 04:24 PM
If they are homeless and the food is free, I can't see how they could squabble over the name of the dish.
Posted by Virtual on 03/31/16 at 09:34 PM
@Virtual: You need to watch more news.
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 04/01/16 at 12:09 AM
How about if they deep fry all those pigeons, put them on sticks, and sell them at the state and county fairs? Then use the proceeds to buy food their homeless might actually eat.
Posted by Fritz G on 04/01/16 at 08:30 AM
How about putting the 'homeless' to work cleaning up the city and paying them $1@hour + room & board?
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 04/01/16 at 10:01 AM
Have you ever looked at city pigeons? They are filthy and toxic. How did the exterminators kill them? I would imagine they used poison.
I laughed at a medieval Eric Idle in Monty Python peddling rats on a stick, not realizing that this is a dish in modern-day Mexico. But be careful -- there are stories of unscrupulous vendors sell city rats, sickening their unwitting customers. I'd imagine the same would be true of city pigeons.
I laughed at a medieval Eric Idle in Monty Python peddling rats on a stick, not realizing that this is a dish in modern-day Mexico. But be careful -- there are stories of unscrupulous vendors sell city rats, sickening their unwitting customers. I'd imagine the same would be true of city pigeons.
Posted by Harvey on 04/02/16 at 12:21 AM
I expect the US FDA would publish acceptable levels for contaminants in pigeon and rat food products, just like they do for everything else we consume. There is an entire manual dealing with this subject: (http://www.fda.gov/food/guidanceregulation/guidancedocumentsregulatoryinformation/ucm056174.htm). I find it rather amazing that in spite of the amount of disgusting things that make it into the products legally sold, people still consume in enough quantities that the world's obese adults now outnumber the world's underweight adults, according to a major study recently published in The Lancet.
Interesting food for thought on a Saturday morning, at any rate.
Interesting food for thought on a Saturday morning, at any rate.
Posted by Fritz G on 04/02/16 at 08:30 AM
Many times I suspect these things are skewed for social engineering purposes. Tell people how fat the whole world is to encourage everyone to think about weight loss. Kind of like if the Fed even mentions the stock market it drops immediately. The general consensus seems to be better an anorexic with all the accompanying issues than a reasonably healthy over weight person. God help anyone who is even mildly over weight if the eradicate smoking. You'll have to submit to a weigh in to enter McDonald's.
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 04/02/16 at 09:09 AM
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Category: Food | 1970s