Bayou. The word was first used by the English in Louisiana (1763) and thought to originate from the Choctaw (Native American) word "bayuk" which means "small stream". Larousse definition: "En Louisiane et dans la région du bas Mississippi, bras secondaire du fleuve ou lac établi dans un méaudre abandonné." There is Bayou Teche, Bayou Lafourche, Bayou St John and others. But the bayous are disappearing. Despite efforts to stop erosion of the bayous, Louisiana loses about an acre of land every 33 minutes. That means it loses 25 square miles a year.
Many bayous are home to crawfish, shrimp, shellfish, catfish, frogs, herons, turtles and...American alligators.
Stop reading. Let me take you there: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKH9JEdZREc
Frequently asked alligator questions
1. How many alligators are in Louisiana?
Louisiana's wild alligator population is estimated to be nearly 2 million animals. There are also more than 300,000 alligators on alligator farms in Louisiana.
2. When is Louisiana's alligator season? There are two zones with one opening the last Wednesday in August, the other the first Wednesday in September, with a season lasting 30 days. (We can't go alligator hunting this time!)
3. Alligators are harvested for their hides and their meat.
Another recipe!
Alligator Etouffee
Ingredients:
1 lb (454g) Alligator meat - cut in thin strips
1/2 lb Butter (100g)
1/2 cup Green onions - chopped
1/4 cup Parsley - chopped
2 Garlic cloves - minced
4 Celery stalks - chopped
1 can Tomatoes
salt, cayenne and black pepper
1/2 lb Butter (100g)
1/2 cup Green onions - chopped
1/4 cup Parsley - chopped
2 Garlic cloves - minced
4 Celery stalks - chopped
1 can Tomatoes
salt, cayenne and black pepper
Directions:
Sauté onions, garlic and celery in butter until soft. Add tomatoes and simmer for 20 minutes in covered iron pot.
Add alligator meat and allow to cook over low heat until tender (approximately 1 hour). If too thick, add a little hot water.
Serve over rice.
Add alligator meat and allow to cook over low heat until tender (approximately 1 hour). If too thick, add a little hot water.
Serve over rice.
Bon appétit! But I'm not sure if you can find alligator meat at Picard's!
Jane
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stream = ruisseau
despite = malgré
an acre = 4047 m2
25 square miles = 65 km2
to harvest = here, to gather, catch, hunt or kill (as salmon, oysters, deer or alligators) for human use, sport or population control
a hide = the skin of an animal, used especially for large, heavy skins
shellfish = http://www.wordreference.com/enfr/shellfish
to harvest = here, to gather, catch, hunt or kill (as salmon, oysters, deer or alligators) for human use, sport or population control
a hide = the skin of an animal, used especially for large, heavy skins
shellfish = http://www.wordreference.com/enfr/shellfish
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