Preparation of GOPHER.

Peter_Cargasacchi · February 6, 2009, 5:00am

Mantra: Gopher is one of the few meats that does not have a flavor of its own. Gopher is a ghost and takes on the flavor of the place. It is the only animal capable of showing terroir. (Repeat.)

Take cleaned quail (preferably with ribs and backbones removed) and brine for 45 minutes in a sage and white pepper brine. Since they are relatively small you don’t need to brine them long, maybe an hour at most.

Carefully cut the wings off at the end of the forearm bone, leaving the entire forearm with joint exposed. Cut the legs off about a quarter to a third up the drumstick to create meaty haunches.

Take a bamboo skewer and from the haunches skewer both haunches together to push them forward somewhat and go through the rest of the bird. Coming out the front, pull the forearms forward and pierce and go through them with skewer to project them forward to create small mammal posture.

Grill twice on each side turning as juices rise. Make sure they are fully cooked, but be careful not to overcook or they will be dry rather than juicy.

Enjoy with Pinot Noir.

Mel_Hill · February 6, 2009, 5:24am

I think Gopher tastes like Quail…

M_M_c_C_a_l_l · February 6, 2009, 6:16am

Or penguin.

Cris_Whetstone · February 6, 2009, 6:40am

I can vouch for Peter. The Gopher were very quail like and you get some white and dark meat on each skewer. The penguin was very duck like. But very tender juicy duck…er…penguin. They’re native to SB County dontcha know.

Linda_Baehr · February 7, 2009, 8:47am

LIAR!!!

Nancy_Dolce · February 7, 2009, 10:27pm

I was fortunate to have one of the gophers at Falltacular but did not have the opportunity to sample the penguin. Pouring duty called.

Very sagey critter from the brining. Delicious!

M_M_c_C_a_l_l · February 7, 2009, 10:47pm

Cute avatar, Nancy! Have you ever been able to get Cris to tell you which wine critic?

Bill_Tex_Landreth · February 7, 2009, 10:55pm

Terence_T-Bone_Livingston · February 8, 2009, 2:36am

Peter, the gopher in your avatar still has furry hair on it.

I have a real issue with hair in my food…

Hair of the dog , hair on my tongue…no problem.

I do agree that Pinot would be the best match…!

Nancy_Dolce · February 8, 2009, 3:01am

No, Melissa, but I was relieved when I saw “her” in the description. Not that there is anything wrong with the alternative!

Mel_Hill · February 12, 2009, 4:24am

sometimes I like to Marinade my dinner!

Eric_Anderson · February 13, 2009, 12:05am

Mel, that’s the wrong picture. This is the one you were looking for.

Mel_Hill · February 13, 2009, 2:47am

Of course!

LOL