http://www.metafilter.com/tags/ortolan Posts tagged with 'ortolan' at MetaFilter. Wed, 20 Feb 2008 19:04:22 -0800 Wed, 20 Feb 2008 19:04:22 -0800 en-us http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 http://www.metafilter.com/69251/The%2DSoul%2Dof%2DFrance <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/flirting-with-the-forbidden/">Flirting with the Forbidden,</a> for centuries, Romans and French have enjoyed the pleasures of a unique songbird. Once caught, <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=297191">this tiny bunting is kept in a small cage</a>, where its eyes are poked out. It is then force fed oats, millet, and figs until it's plumped up to four times its size. It is subsequently drowned alive in cognac, roasted at high heat, then served as an <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/the_ortolan_still_tiny_still_delicious_s">exquisite - and illegal - meal</a>. Traditionally the diner enjoys this delicacy - approximately the size of a human thumb - <a href="http://www.ecis.com/~alizard/ortolan_recipe.html">underneath an embroidered napkin</a>. The head is bitten off, the entire body eaten in one crunchy bite. Said to embody the "<a href="http://media.www.iowastatedaily.com/media/storage/paper818/news/2007/09/20/AssociatedPress/France.Begins.Crackdown.On.Ortolan.Bird.Poaching-2980173.shtml">soul of France</a>," it was, reportedly, the <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5223077">last meal of Francois Mitterrand</a>. Writer Michael Paterniti <a href="http://www.thislife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?sched=1218">recreates the experience</a> of dining on<a href="http://www.birdguides.com/html/vidlib/species/Emberiza_hortulana.htm"> l'ortolan</a>, superbly told in an episode of "This American Life." tag:metafilter.com,2008:site.69251 Wed, 20 Feb 2008 19:04:22 -0800 cuisine france MichaelPaterniti ortolan ritual TAL Dr. Zira