This past weekend I had the distinct pleasure of attending the 76th International Rice Festival in Crowley, LA. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with Louisiana culture, the state’s Department of Tourism reports that Louisiana holds over 400 festivals every year – and is “often called the Festival Capital of America.” The New Orleans Times Picayune puts it this way: “If you can eat it, drink it, play it, dance to it or ogle it, there’s a festival for it in south Louisiana. Probably this week.”
With that being said, the Rice Festival provided a delightful expression of diversity in two forms that really matter: People and food! These festivals seem to be the time that everyone pretty much put aside any race-centered or ethnic differences and instead become Louisianans who want to have a good time.
Yep, there was plenty of Swirling going on:
Where else in the world can large crowds of Blacks and Whites (with good sprinklings of Asians and Latinos mixed in) listen to and enjoy music like this:
And not only that, DANCE to it:
AND, in addition to the fried alligator and spicy boudin balls, enjoy a good serving of pig feet or tripe?
This gentleman proudly told me I couldn’t take a photo unless he was in it!
(I purchased some wonderful homemade pralines. My cousin bought a bowl of pig feet – they were seasoned to perfection and delish! Yes, I eat pig feet – don’t judge me).
The truly adventuresome were able to help themselves to good ole helpings of squirrel, rabbit, or shark. Gotta try that shark next time . . . . .
Join in the fray: What’s the most exotic food you’ve ever eaten? Would you be willing to try fried alligator, boudin balls, squirrel, or shark?
Copyright © 2012 Michelle Matthews Calloway, A Swirl Girl™, All rights reserved.
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Larry, thanks so much for your comment! Boudin balls are really good; they’re basically pieces of boudin rolled in a little bit of batter and fried. Squirrel is similar to rabbit, except is’s a bit more oily and bony (did I just type that???). LOL!I think it’s probably better to find out what you just ate AFTER you taste it – that way, you haven’t set up any preconceived notions or biases. (Plus you show how adventuresome you are)! 🙂
I’ve had alligator and shark, but haven’t tried boudin balls or squirrel yet. I’ll try just about anything once. My friend Tony always used to put a plate in front of me to try. When I asked him what it was, he’d say, “I’ll tell you when you’re done eating it.”
Ha! I tell people that it does (just kidding). I don’t know if you’re ever had gar fish; it tastes a lot like that. Very chewy and meaty. I personally like it grilled much better than I do fried.
Really??? Was it grilled or fried??
Nope, Nope, Nope…does it taste like chicken? 🙂
I’ve actually had shark. Hmm kind of oily. Maybe it was the shark.