Shopsmith Forums

algale wrote:I'd refuse to be there when you "harvested" them.

The only time I've seen them harvested, was in Snowflake, the summer I spent on uncle Jake's ranch.

No, Aunt Mary Louise didn't cook them up. (I'd call her a smart lady, but she IS a Skouson, like me.)

steve

Diced, coated and fried the mountain oysters yesterday. Made a Bleu Cheese dip. Ate ‘em during the Rose Bowl. They were Yummy. Next time I’m near that butcher shop, I’m gonna get some more. Maybe lamb, this time.

Ever see the movie where the lead character, I think it was Chevy Chase, was eating them in a bar. He loved them and was within 1 of a new bar eating record when he asked what they were. Someone told him and his reaction was priceless. I laughed until I hurt.

It is really one of those mind over matter. If you don't know what it is, then it taste good.

During the 1950's we were "harvesting" (razor knife) a few thousand of those a year. The only dietary difference was that the dog got fat...
We did have a family Dr. that asked us to save him some so my mother would save about a quart or two for him from time to time. We never ate them...
I didn't mind cutting pigs or even vaccine injections (big old needles) but I always hated clipping needle teeth on baby pigs and tusk trimming on the old boars. We also ear notched the baby pigs in the purebred stock. It didn't seem to bother them at all but it bothered me.
In later years when Diana and I raised sheep I used elastic bands (like little green "O" rings installed with special big pliers) for castration and tail docking both. Bloodless and far less chance for infection. In the spring when we walked the pastures there would be a tail here, a scrotum over there... all over the pasture.
OK, I'll stop now so some of you guys can quit squirming around in your chair and holding your knees together.

Ed: We loved those Chevy Chase Vacation movies and still watch them...


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Gene Howe wrote:Diced, coated and fried the mountain oysters yesterday. Made a Bleu Cheese dip. Ate ‘em during the Rose Bowl. They were Yummy. Next time I’m near that butcher shop, I’m gonna get some more. Maybe lamb, this time.

How about 'mountain goats' or bighorn sheep?













Most difficult part is catching them!:eek:

That be true!

JPG40504 wrote:How about 'mountain goats' or bighorn sheep?
Most difficult part is catching them!:eek:

My wife and I had a very similar discussion yesterday as well. She was born and raised in Texas the first part of her life and her father is from there, so they did the Black-eyed peas and corn bread too. She HATES Black-eyed peas, I learned, and we have never had them in our house in our 22 year marriage. As far as the new tradition, I was offered them a long time ago one afternoon in Florida by a civilian co-worker ( I was a A1C) who raised beef. For cheap entertainment and a good home cooked meal, I offered to help him inoculate some calves. I’ve never forgotten that meal, at the dinner table, second “oyster” didn’t seem to taste as good as the first one after he told me what it was. Needless to say, I haven’t had one since.

Or you could come to Montana (a short drive on I-90 from Missoula), where they celebrate it every year!

http://testyfesty.com

Everything is already "caught" for you. Just show up, eat (what you can stomach), drink (which helps the eating) and be merry (or meet Mary as it suits you!)

Howdy,

How are you preparing the calf fries? Are you doing anything special?

I love them and still remember the look on a colleagues face when he tasted them and said they were delicious. Then he asked, "now what are these made from again"? The last time I saw him he was headed to the latrine... His loss!

Best,
mike