In article >,
"Bob (this one)" > wrote:

> Katra wrote:
>
> > In article <oJA8d.205692$3l3.96936@attbi_s03>,
> > "Gualtier Malde (Chuck)" > wrote:
> >
> >
> >>I have to cook a swan. This isn't a joke, and I need help. This is the
> >>bird, long neck, swims, etc. It was shot in Alaska and I have to have
> >>it on the table this Friday night as my part of a "Beast Feast".
> >>
> >>For the love of Escoffier, HELP ME!
> >>
> >>Chuck
> >
> > Look up some goose recipes. i know someone that used to raise swans and
> > they would process the extra males to protect the flock. Too many males
> > in the flock would damage the females and slow egg/signet production.
> >
> > I've never eaten one, but being a water bird, they should be similar to
> > goose. :-)
>
> Actually, not. Full-grown swans are tough, not as fat, and not very
> tasty. I'd brine it and lard it. Fill under the skin with some kind of
> fat, maybe a seasoned butter and drape sheets of some kind of fat over
> it, if roasting.
>
> If I had my absolute choice (assuming I *had* to eat it), I'd do a
> covered-pan roast, almost a braise. That way you can add flavors that
> will end up in the liquid that can serve as the base for a masking gravy.
>
> > K. (who sees nothing wrong with eating excess swans.....)
>
> Except they're not very good eating once past about 3 months old.
>
> Maybe take a page from the hypersilly stuff from the medieval banquet
> table. Stuff it with a turkey. And a duck. And a chicken. And a guinea
> fowl. And a cornish hen. And Aunt Minnie's canary.
>
> Pastorio
>

Ducks and geese are also not very good eating when they get to be over 3
months. ;-) Neither are chickens...

I have killed 2 year old roosters that were only suitable for soup
stock, and shredded meat chicken salad.

I've also let ducks and guineas "grow" a little too long and paid for it
with fowl flavored rubber! Long braising does help, but it's just not
the same, and waterfowl are difficult to braise due to the amount of fat
released from the skin. Since my birds are yard raised and get a little
more excercise than commercial birds, they are not quite as fat but it's
still a problem.

There are some baby guineas at the feed store right now, and since I am
running some Cochin Bantam chicks in the brooder, I'm tempted to toss in
a few guineas just for slaughter as they are delicious. They are SO
damned noisy, I can't stand to have them in my poultry yard, so they
will be processed on time, guaranteed!

K. (BTDT)
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