Got Pheasant?

I remember growing up, every Saturday after dance practice, my dad would take me to a farmer's market in San Francisco where we would stock up on local produce. We would walk around the market discovering different vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, etc. And if we got there early enough we would always come home with at least a dozen fresh duck eggs! Every time we went I saw something new and, even though I was little, my imagination went crazy with different ideas of how to prepare what I saw. The funnest part of it all was coming back home and improvising some dish with my dad with the wonders we had found. My curiosity surrounding the farmer's market was also given force by the street markets in Mexico, or tianguis. Since I was a baby I've traveled to Mexico and some of my fondest memories are associated with my family and time there. Part of it was also the weekly market that was set up right in front of my aunt's house; just open her front gate and you were thrust into a world of exotic fruit, vegetables, sauces, cheeses, tortillas, food and juice stands...the list is endless. And, although it was a bit of a pain to hear the metal stalls being built early Saturday morning, such a colourful experience is irreplaceable. 

Once I moved to Edinburgh, I obviously left those markets at home with my family and childhood. My shopping experience consisted of going to the Tesco or Sainsbury's around the corner or maybe going to the "big Tesco" down the street because they had more stuff. Now, don't get me wrong, back in San Francisco we would go to the supermarket, particularly Costco, all the time. But that weekend, open-air shopping experience was something I definitely missed. But then, one glorious day, I discovered that farmer's markets weren't just limited to San Francisco and Mexico City! And I thought, how silly of me to think that...I mean there are farmer's all around the world and they have to sell their produce somewhere! So, it turns out there are three farmer's markets (that I know of) in Edinburgh: two on Saturday, one in the Grassmarket and the other on Castle Terrace, and one on Sunday in Stockbridge. I've been to all three and they're all awesome! However, Stockbridge is a bit further from my flat so I don't go as often. The ones in Grassmarket and Castle Terrace are only a short walk from my flat. The reason I love markets like these is that you can find the most random things and for super reasonable prices. For example, once I brought home 30 eggs for 3£ when at the supermarket 10 eggs are a little over 2£. On another occasion, I bought about 4 kilos of onions for 3£ as well! But, the most incredible thing I've come across was at the Castle Terrace market. I was walking with my former flatmate and I saw a stand that was selling pheasant and rabbit. And by that I mean the full bird and animal with feathers, fur, and all; not to mention that they cost 3£ and 5£, respectively. My mouth literally dropped! I went up to the stand and they also had squirrel, venison, etc (although these were already skinned, gutted, and butchered). I'd never eaten pheasant before, much less feathered one, but that bird had my name written all over it. I went home, did my research on how to feather and clean, and the following week I was walking home with a full pheasant in my hand.

I read online that the best way to feather the bird was by dipping it in boiling water. However, in Tita's recipe for pheasant with rose sauce in Like Water for Chocolate, she insists on feathering the bird while dry. So of course I tried both! Tita is right in her insistence! When I feathered the pheasant while wet, my flat got quite smelly and it was harder to distinguish the individual feathers. Tita's suggestion is much cleaner, less smelly, and much more efficient! I won't go into detail on the gutting, but I will say that there are quite a few helpful videos on YouTube. 

All I'm saying is that you never know what you might come across at a farmer's market and if you find something odd yet interesting, don't feel intimidated! Do some research and take advantage of the bargain!