A NOVEL BANQUET IN GERMANY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 638, 17 May 1882, Page 2

A NOVEL BANQUET IN GERMANY.

A banquet of a novel kind was recently given in Germany. A writer in the Kleine Zeitimg, with fifteen of his friends, most of whom were members of the Westphalian Zoological Society, recently enjoyed a most extraordinary dinner. Amongst other unusual dishes, they had cutlets of lion, or rather lioness, a ragout of badger, a bustard, and a crane stuffed with chestnuts and plums. But it was the unanimous opinion of the diners that the crocodile far transcended all other novelties. The scent of the meat is said to be appetising. There is something like enthusiasm amongst gourmets as to the delight of crocodiles’ flesh. - A writer in the Nachricten, ot Basle, confirms the statement as to the exceedingly delicious taste of the crocodile. About thirty years ago his father was curator of the zoological collection in that city, and was charged with the preparation of the stuffed crocodile which is now exhibited at the Museum. After the head of the animal had been cut off he was particularly struck with the rosy look of the flesh, and declared his conviction that it could not be unwholesome. A small portion was cooked, and the curator and his son partook of it with so much relish that they declared it would be a criminal waste to throw away the remainder. After using certain parts of the animal as fresh meat, the rest was salted and smoked. The writer recollects the taste of it tc this day, and describes it as the connecting link between meat and fish. He adds that he also partook of a ragout of monkey, which he highly recommends to the adventurous epicure who is not daunted by the suspicion that eating an ape may be semi-cannibalism. The age of the reptile is considered an advantage. The crocodile enjoyed by the Westphalian zoologists is said to have been nearly 150 years old, which is ancient even for crocodiles.