Swamp People

[Cajunrider]

If any of you are interested how the Cajun people live and work, tune in on Sunday nights to the History Channel at 9 pm Central time. It is an honest depiction of what we do down here in the marshes and swamps of South Louisiana. Some may find it interesting and others amusing. No exagerations. Many of us have industrialized and professional occupations while many just live off of the land and water. I hope you get a chance to check this out. The program is named "Swamp People".

[cajun2wheels]

Watching that show make me hungry for a big platter of fried alligator.

[Cajunrider]

I'm cooking an alligator sauce picaunte' tomorrow night here at work. Eat your heart out Steve!

[zoom45]

Great show!
Zoom45

[AlabamaNomadRider]

I will have to check it out. I lived at Fort Polk for a year and a half. I really loved it in Louisiana, I just hated Fort Polk.

[cactusjack]

I watched one episode, pretty interesting.

[Cajunrider]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

I watched one episode, pretty interesting.

The alligator fisherman, Troy Landry, from Pierre Part, LA is brother to one of my co-workers, Guy Landry. They are showing one episode after another tonight, each lasting an hour. The area is flooded with Landrys. If you kick a brier bush in Pierre Part, a Landry will run out instead of a rabbit.

[Loafer]

Seen the show, its somewhat interesting. If you see a guy shoot something once, thats probably enough. Guys up here do the same thing, 'cept its usually the neighbor they shoot for looking at there dog the wrong way.

[glwilson]

Alligators... forget that...

...where's the can of "OFF"???!!!!

Man... the mosquitoes must be huge down there!!!!

[waterman]

Definately an interesting show. Love it when they are hoisting a 700 lb alligator into the boat.

[cajun2wheels]

None of my family up north could believe how big the swamp skeeters are so I caught one. I ran for my camera so I could take a picture as proof.Before I could get back with the camera the darn skeeter chewed through the chain a got away.Next time I will use a bigger chain.

[Dave]

What does gator taste like?

I took basic training at Ft. Polk in the middle of summer. That was an experience! And the dragonfly's. Those aren't flys, they're birds.

The DI's taught us a saying, "Red on yellow, kill a fellow. Red on black, ok Jack." They told us if we got bit just to bend over and kiss our ass goodbye.

[sas]

Depends on who's cooking! Some of it tastes like three day old fish smells, some of it, like they cook at Mulate's in Beaux Bridge, LA, is manna from heaven. Some people liken it to chicken but I never got that.

Red on Yellow refers to the coral snake and the arrangement of the colored rings on their body. They can be deadly, but they are rather small as snakes go and have a small mouth. They really have to bite you on the web between the fingers or toes.

[Cajunrider]

The trick to cooking alligator is to be sure all of the fat is gone when cleaning the meat. I take it a step further by boiling the meat in seasoned water for 15 - 20 minutes before battering it for frying or making the gravy. Boiling it melts that hidden fat and it floats up to the top of the boiling water. It does taste like a cross between chicken and fish. It's delicious meat if it is prepared right.

[dj]

Mitch i like the shows that i have seen.You are most correct about how the Cajuns live and work.I live in East Texas but grew up in south Texas making weekly runs to Breaux Bridge to visit kin.I remember the mudbug festival when it attracted maybe 5000 people max.Now i am admittedly a cajun food lover and gator is absolutely one of my favorites.You are right about getting all the fat off and i agree with the boiling,my Aunties always did it that way and i always had my fill. D.J.