Snails, Oysters and pieces...

"Two-thirds of what we call New Orleans culture is really myth-making...People feed myths of the city back to the city. These myths are now in pieces." a quote from Andrei Codrescu

I would like to contribute my share of myths and pieces to the pot of New Orleans culture. I read somewhere or was told by someone the history of Oyster Rockefellows started with snails....or I should say the lack of them. In the beginning there was escargot...with the lack of these tasty little morsels...the eye was turned to the oyster. Most would say now...a great replacement! With a little creativity oysters began a beautiful love affair. New Orleans is so known for the rich flavor of the oyster but none as famous Oysters Rockefellow...named because the dish is as rich in flavor as the Rockefellow's bank account.

"He was a bold man that first ate an oyster." Jonathan Swift (Irish author)
That quote can apply to snail too!

I told you pieces, and pieces you will get. I am quoting "Gourmet Sleuth. com" to give you a little history in snails..."Discarded roasted snail shells found in archaeological digs indicated that prehistoric humans enjoyed "escargot". Pliny described Fulvius Hirpinas' snail garden as having varied species of snails and feeding them on wine and cornmeal. Ancient Romans, and later, other Europeans ate snails during festivals, Lent, Mardi Gras and Carnival. There are edible land snails ranging in size from 1/4 inch to giant African snails growing 12 inches. The traditional escargot is the common garden variety snail. Escargot (French for snail) are available fresh, chilled, canned and frozen." If I have wet your appetite for snails, Gourmet Sleuth has an on-line shop and you may purchase...SNAILS in a can!

Still more pieces...(Pliny) is referred to "Pliny the Elder"....author, naturalist, and natural philosopher (23 AD - 79 AD)

Pliny quote..."From the end springs new beginnings."

One more piece...Do you think Paris is shaped like a snail? The 20 arrondissements sure favor pieces put together in the shape of snail!