Why Are Chicken Feet So Expensive?
Nathan Yuen
During my jaunt through Chinatown to purchase soybeans and mangoes
yesterday, I noticed that several meat stalls were selling chicken feet for
$1.54-$1.69/lb. Whole chickens (sans feet) on the other hand were going
for $1.39-$1.59/lb. I would assume that scaley chicken feet complete with
claws are less desirable than a whole chicken, but they were considerably
more expensive? Makes you wonder yeah? And since we're on the topic, has
anyone eaten chicken feet before? How does one prepare it?
--
o o __ __
\ / ' ` Mai hehi ia'u (Don't Tread on Me!)
|/ / __ \
(` \ ' ' \ ' Nathan Yuen, Ewa Beach, Hawaii
\ \| | @_/ |
\ \ \ /--/ ny...@lava.net, ny...@aloha.net
` ___ ___ ___ __ '
Howard M. Sussman
ny...@lava.net (Nathan Yuen) wrote:
This is my first posting to usenet but the subject is so worthwhile.
The price of chicken feet (CF) is high 'cause the feet are in demand
locally for such treats as Dim Sum as in Stewed CF w/black beans and
also in soups, fricassies, and to thicken and fortify broths used as
medicines. Many cultures use the feet. My Jewish mother used them at
least monthly in fricassie, and I make them annually in Chinese
dishes. Prices will always follow demand. In Spain, years ago, I would
get them free along with a freshly killed chicken at the market. I see
them in our Chinatown and always believed they were expensive because
the Chinese community had so many uses for them.
I don't want to start a run on them here so I'll refrain from getting
too detailed in their value as a nutritional, tasty, unique food. They
are very high in fat but cleaned first, toe nail snipped or chopped
off and discarded, then blanched and skinned of the yellowish scales,
they can be stewed in black beans much like spareribs and are a true
epicurian delight.
I've always appreciated the "economy" of the cultures that use
them but only know them as Chinese and Jewish food.
Nobody ever believes this, but in Hong Kong, during intermissions at
the cinema, chicken feet are sold by vendors that have cleaned,
blanched and skinned them, seasoned the CF with such as Five Spice
powder, and then grilled them over charcoal. They are probably
parboiled so that they are fully cooked and tender before being sold
to be eaten as a stand-up, chicken foot on a stick. The best part is
the fleshy part of the pad, but the toes are wonderful too.
Hope this "newbies" answer meets your needs. I swear to the truth of
the above!!!!!
David Lumpkins
In article <4q6s0k$o...@mochi.lava.net>, ny...@lava.net (Nathan Yuen) wrote:
> During my jaunt through Chinatown to purchase soybeans and mangoes
> yesterday, I noticed that several meat stalls were selling chicken feet for
> $1.54-$1.69/lb. Whole chickens (sans feet) on the other hand were going
> for $1.39-$1.59/lb. I would assume that scaley chicken feet complete with
> claws are less desirable than a whole chicken, but they were considerably
> more expensive? Makes you wonder yeah? And since we're on the topic, has
> anyone eaten chicken feet before? How does one prepare it?
You make soup or stock with them? I want to know too!
--
David Lumpkins
dav...@aloha.net
Howard M. Sussman
ny...@lava.net (Nathan Yuen) wrote:
>During my jaunt through Chinatown to purchase soybeans and mangoes
>yesterday, I noticed that several meat stalls were selling chicken feet for
>$1.54-$1.69/lb. Whole chickens (sans feet) on the other hand were going
>for $1.39-$1.59/lb. I would assume that scaley chicken feet complete with
>claws are less desirable than a whole chicken, but they were considerably
>more expensive? Makes you wonder yeah? And since we're on the topic, has
>anyone eaten chicken feet before? How does one prepare it?
fletcher
In article <4q6s0k$o...@mochi.lava.net>,
ny...@lava.net (Nathan Yuen) wrote:
:During my jaunt through Chinatown to purchase soybeans and mangoes
:yesterday, I noticed that several meat stalls were selling chicken feet
for
:$1.54-$1.69/lb. Whole chickens (sans feet) on the other hand were going
:for $1.39-$1.59/lb. I would assume that scaley chicken feet complete with
:claws are less desirable than a whole chicken, but they were considerably
:more expensive? Makes you wonder yeah? And since we're on the topic, has
:anyone eaten chicken feet before? How does one prepare it?
:
:
Shuah, I've had chicken feet lots of times in New York Chinatown. Comes on
a cart with the yum chow... I think steamed then sauteed with shoyu, rice
wine and garlic... ono!
Ken Ogawa
Nathan Yuen wrote:
>
> During my jaunt through Chinatown to purchase soybeans and mangoes
> yesterday, I noticed that several meat stalls were selling chicken feet for
> $1.54-$1.69/lb. Whole chickens (sans feet) on the other hand were going
> for $1.39-$1.59/lb. I would assume that scaley chicken feet complete with
> claws are less desirable than a whole chicken, but they were considerably
> more expensive? Makes you wonder yeah? And since we're on the topic, has
> anyone eaten chicken feet before? How does one prepare it?
>
When we were real small kids (like elementary school) my grandmother used
to make
chicken feet. as I recall she used to cook it in teriyaki sauce in apot on
the stove or
put chicken feet in "nishime" (japanese dish with a little meat, and lots
vegetables
ara imo (little potatos some thing like taro) and other stuff slow cooked
in a pot.
Its like eating tough chicken skin or soft cartiledge(sp sorry). It also
doesn't have
much taste to it execpt for the seasoning you add to it. As we grew older my
grandmother stopped making chicken feets, I dunno why. Personally I like
chicken legs
better than chicke feets.
As far as the price for chicken feets, it could be cause the major chicken
producers
don't have it readily available and its more an ethnic thing. So the
supply and demand
is low warrenting the higher price(just to keep it in stock when available).
Speaking of different ethnic foods, has anyone had whale? We used to have
that for New
Years (small kid time) before the whaling ban.
--
Ursula Keuper-Bennett
In article <4q6s0k$o...@mochi.lava.net>,
ny...@lava.net (Nathan Yuen) wrote:
> I would assume that scaley chicken feet complete with
>claws are less desirable than a whole chicken, but they were
considerably
>more expensive? Makes you wonder yeah? And since we're on the topic,
has
>anyone eaten chicken feet before? How does one prepare it?
Nathan, Nathan, Nathan....
The answer to why chicken feet are more expensive than a whole chicken
should be OBVIOUS to you! It is EASIER and LESS EXPENSIVE for a farmer
to raise a whole chicken than just two feet!
While raising feet requires considerably less room and feed, I am sure
you will agree it is tough to get them to eat and reproduce. It is the
same reason red Bell Peppers are more expensive than the normal green
ones.
As for how does on prepare chicken feet? You don't really have to.
They seem to accept their fate quite readily and without complaint.
Hope this helps Nathan.
^ Ursula Keuper-Bennett
0 0 Mississauga, Ontario
/V^\ I I /^V\ Email: how...@io.org
/V Turtle Trax V\ Visit the Turtle Trax Toon at:
/V Forever Green V\ http://www.io.org/~bunrab/toon.htm
Nathan P Yuen
Howard M. Sussman (how...@lava.net) wrote:
: This is my first posting to usenet but the subject is so worthwhile.
A lurker delurks... truly momentous ocasion in the life of a new
contributor. Welcome to SCH Howard! And yes.. this indeed in a MOST
worthwhile post. :)
: The price of chicken feet (CF) is high 'cause the feet are in demand
: locally for such treats as Dim Sum as in Stewed CF w/black beans and
: also in soups, fricassies, and to thicken and fortify broths used as
: medicines. Many cultures use the feet.
Now that you mention it, I do recall seeing it on the menu at Hee Hing in
Kapahulu along with duck web dim sum.
: I don't want to start a run on them here so I'll refrain from getting
: too detailed in their value as a nutritional, tasty, unique food. They
: are very high in fat but cleaned first, toe nail snipped or chopped
: off and discarded, then blanched and skinned of the yellowish scales,
: they can be stewed in black beans much like spareribs and are a true
: epicurian delight.
A true epicurean delight? Hmmm... gotta try 'em then. And I guess we
oughtta talk more quietly <talks in hushed whisper> so as not to cause a
run on the chicken foot market. :)
: I've always appreciated the "economy" of the cultures that use
: them but only know them as Chinese and Jewish food.
Yes... our cultures are known for their extreme "economy". :)
: The best part is the fleshy part of the pad, but the toes are
: wonderful too. Hope this "newbies" answer meets your needs. I
: swear to the truth of the above!!!!!
The foot pad? Cool! Such an interesting post. Thank you for sharing
your knowledge of chicken feet with us. And be sure to post again!
Mama Lani
In article <4q6s0k$o...@mochi.lava.net>, Nathan Yuen <ny...@lava.net> wrote:
>During my jaunt through Chinatown to purchase soybeans and mangoes
>yesterday, I noticed that several meat stalls were selling chicken feet for
>$1.54-$1.69/lb. Whole chickens (sans feet) on the other hand were going
>for $1.39-$1.59/lb. I would assume that scaley chicken feet complete with
>claws are less desirable than a whole chicken, but they were considerably
>more expensive? Makes you wonder yeah?
Well, what with us being such a litigious society nowadays, the chickens
like get large settlements when it comes to giving up their feet.
--
* The American Talk Show: The only politically correct modern-day circus *
* side show. --Lani Teshima-Miller <la...@lava.net>, 1996 UA M+ Premier *
* Maintainer: rec.arts.bodyart Tattoo FAQ, Purple Pages Directory, Welcome*
* & Netiquette FAQ; rec.travel.air Travelite FAQ. And I don't do Windows! *
Nathan P Yuen
Ursula Keuper-Bennett (how...@io.org) wrote:
: The answer to why chicken feet are more expensive than a whole chicken
: should be OBVIOUS to you! It is EASIER and LESS EXPENSIVE for a farmer
: to raise a whole chicken than just two feet! [snip]
: Hope this helps Nathan.
Why thank you Ursula <roll of the eyes>, for that most enlightening
post. What would we do without the wisdom you share with us. <g> Hey!
It's almost time isn't it? Less than 2 weeks left, eh?
Nathan P Yuen
Ken Ogawa (k...@maui.net) wrote:
: Speaking of different ethnic foods, has anyone had whale? We used to
: have that for New Years (small kid time) before the whaling ban.
As a matter of fact I've tried whale before. Although I thought it was
ultra cool, I didn't like the way it tasted at all. As a youngster a
friend of mine invited me to a new years gathering where his parents
served whale blubber sashimi. It was sliced very thinly. Had lots of
bubble-like air spaces and cavities. Sorta looked like those white
chinese rice cake thingies they sell at dim sum places. Haven't seen that
in many, many years.
Neal Oribio
In article <4q97ja$f...@mochi.lava.net>,
Ken Ogawa <k...@maui.net> wrote:
: Speaking of different ethnic foods, has anyone had whale? We used to have
: that for New Years (small kid time) before the whaling ban.
Fada no can fit'em insai da trunk of da car...
--> Neal (pu...@lava.net)
Pidgin Storyteller
gi...@lava.net
>Nathan Yuen wrote:
>>
>> During my jaunt through Chinatown to purchase soybeans and mangoes
>> yesterday, I noticed that several meat stalls were selling chicken feet for
>> $1.54-$1.69/lb. Whole chickens (sans feet) on the other hand were going
>> for $1.39-$1.59/lb. I would assume that scaley chicken feet complete with
>> claws are less desirable than a whole chicken, but they were considerably
>> more expensive? Makes you wonder yeah? And since we're on the topic, has
>> anyone eaten chicken feet before? How does one prepare it?
Chicken feets are more spensive cuz once you take da feets, da chicken no
moa can walk... Den you gotta go do ever'tin' for dem... You know how hard
for scratch da kine ground for one wurm??? Ho da work!!! So, for stay in
da kine chicken business, you gotta chahge moa fo da feets....
//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\
gi...@lava.net
Warped, and so is my computer...
\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//
Nathan P Yuen
Ken Ogawa (k...@maui.net) wrote:
: Speaking of different ethnic foods, has anyone had whale? We used to
: have that for New Years (small kid time) before the whaling ban.
Yes... I've tried it once as a youngster at my friend's home at new years.
His parents used to serve whale blubber as sashimi. 'Twas ghastly so I
only tried it once. I recall it looking like that white chinese rice cake
they sell at the dim sum places. All kinds of wholes and wrinkles in the
blubber. It was serve in very thin slices.
Neal Oribio
In article <4q99bm$h...@mochi.lava.net>,
la...@lava.net (Mama Lani) wrote:
: Well, what with us being such a litigious society nowadays, the chickens
: like get large settlements when it comes to giving up their feet.
Yup... without them feets... chickens wouldn't be able to take a
stand.
--> Neal ^~^
(O O) Click _here_ for
{ ^ } Woof! Woof!
m~m
Kim Vik
ny...@lava.net (Nathan Yuen) wrote:
:
:During my jaunt through Chinatown to purchase soybeans and mangoes
:yesterday, I noticed that several meat stalls were selling chicken feet
for
:$1.54-$1.69/lb. Whole chickens (sans feet) on the other hand were going
:for $1.39-$1.59/lb. I would assume that scaley chicken feet complete
with
:claws are less desirable than a whole chicken, but they were
considerably
:more expensive? Makes you wonder yeah? And since we're on the topic,
has
:anyone eaten chicken feet before? How does one prepare it?
I've watched my mother prepare it several times. First you chop the
claws off, then you wash them real good. She used to prepare them
Korean-style...kind of stewed together with shoyu, sesame oil, garlic,
green onion, and lot of hot red pepper! When done, she'd eat them with
rice. It smelled wonderful, but I was always to "chicken" to try 'em!
Kim.
Mama Lani
In article <4q97ja$f...@mochi.lava.net>, Ken Ogawa <k...@maui.net> wrote:
>Speaking of different ethnic foods, has anyone had whale? We used to have
>that for New Years (small kid time) before the whaling ban.
Oh, I have one story fo' tell you.
A friend of mine is second cuzins to Chris Newbert, the famed Big Island
underwater photographer who published the multi-award-winning _Within a
Rainbowed Sea_ (you know--he get pitchas of ONE SINGLE GILL on top one
tiny fish, or one shrimp eyeball, li'dat).
Well, a number of years ago when he was in Japan promoting his book, he
was at this dinner and some people wanted him to eat a mystery meat.
Yup--you guessed it. Was whale. What they wanted was for him to try it,
say he liked it, then surprise him by telling him what it was (then kind
of force him into a bad position--nasty, yah?). Fortunately, he refused
to eat it because he sensed there was something afoot (especially since
they were so strangely insistent he try it). The media was there and
everything so it's a good thing he didn't try it.
Mama Lani
> la...@lava.net (Mama Lani) wrote:
>: Well, what with us being such a litigious society nowadays, the chickens
>: like get large settlements when it comes to giving up their feet.
>
In article <4qd0sk$s...@mochi.lava.net>, Neal Oribio <pu...@lava.net> wrote:
>Yup... without them feets... chickens wouldn't be able to take a stand.
Oh, with the large settlements, they get to retire in relative comfort at
the "Boneless Chicken Ranch." [Anyone remember the Far Side cartoon?]
Panderer
In article <4qa2r6$g...@mochi.lava.net>, ny...@lava.net (Nathan P Yuen) wrote:
> Ken Ogawa (k...@maui.net) wrote:
> : Speaking of different ethnic foods, has anyone had whale? We used to
> : have that for New Years (small kid time) before the whaling ban.
> As a matter of fact I've tried whale before. Although I thought it was
> ultra cool, I didn't like the way it tasted at all. As a youngster a
> friend of mine invited me to a new years gathering where his parents
> served whale blubber sashimi. It was sliced very thinly. Had lots of
> bubble-like air spaces and cavities. Sorta looked like those white
> chinese rice cake thingies they sell at dim sum places. Haven't seen that
> in many, many years.
When I lived in Iceland, in the early '70's the Icelanders still regularly
harvested a small species of pilot whale which were and (so far as I know)
still are quite plentiful. The meat of these whales has long been a staple
of the Icelandic diet. It's a fine red meat with a very low fat content,
and I can tell you from experience, delicious. It became a favorite of
mine during my stay there. In fact, the first real sentence I learned in
the Icelandic language was "eg aetla fa eitt kilo qual kuort" (not certain
about the spelling... it's been a while). Those were the magic words to
speak to the man in the butcher shop to buy one kilogram of whale meat.
Ahh the memories... Icelandic whale meat and turnips for the body and
fine red Lebanese hashish for the soul. Those were the days.
Aloha,
jesse
Panderer
fletcher
In article <4qd0sk$s...@mochi.lava.net>,
pu...@lava.net (Neal Oribio) wrote:
:In article <4q99bm$h...@mochi.lava.net>,
: la...@lava.net (Mama Lani) wrote:
:
:: Well, what with us being such a litigious society nowadays, the chickens
:: like get large settlements when it comes to giving up their feet.
:
:Yup... without them feets... chickens wouldn't be able to take a
:stand.
:
Like they say,
The chickens
United,
Will never be
De-feeted
Nathan P Yuen
Mama Lani (la...@lava.net) wrote:
: Oh, with the large settlements, they get to retire in relative comfort at
: the "Boneless Chicken Ranch." [Anyone remember the Far Side cartoon?]
Yes... I recall that far side cartoon. Or perhaps they could enter a new
profession at the ranch outside Las Vegas. :)
--
o o __ __
\ / ' ` Mai hehi ia'u (Don't Tread on Me!)
Chirp! |/ / __ \
Chirp! -- (` \ ' ' \ ' Nathan Yuen, Ewa Beach, Hawaii
KALIHIBOY
In article <4qbofg$e...@mochi.lava.net>,
pu...@lava.net (Neal Oribio) writes:
: Fada no can fit'em insai da trunk of da car...
so buy one truck alrady.....you get plenny Pueo monies, an den can leab da
chickens fo us po peepuls <g>
Aloha
Kimo
**************************************************************************
"Just a localboy....Adrift on the Mainland"
Kimo Carter C B A
SJ NihonMachi Computerised Business Applications
408-287-2426 Consulting-Training-Private Tutoring-DTP
**************************************************************************
KALIHIBOY
Panderer
In article <4qf1u5$9...@mochi.lava.net>,
flet...@lava.net (fletcher) wrote:
: In article <4qd0sk$s...@mochi.lava.net>,
: pu...@lava.net (Neal Oribio) wrote:
: Like they say,
Oh! How awful! You should be very ashamed, Victoria. This is absolutely
the worst pun to appear in the history of soc.culture.hawaii.
I'm going to have to go lie down now... I think I'm hyperventilating...
Aloha,
jesse
Neal Oribio
In article <4qhldn$6...@mochi.lava.net>, je...@ilhawaii.net (Panderer)
wrote:
: flet...@lava.net (fletcher) wrote:
: : Like they say,
:
: : The chickens
: : United,
: : Will never be
: : De-feeted
:
: Oh! How awful! You should be very ashamed, Victoria. This is absolutely
: the worst pun to appear in the history of soc.culture.hawaii.
Jesse has high standards when it comes to puns.
: I'm going to have to go lie down now... I think I'm hyperventilating...
I hear munching on some chicken feet helps to ease the pain...
--> Neal (pu...@lava.net)