The has been a number of recent postings about the plight of the European hedgehog in the UK. One fate that presumably is not been a recent concern for hedgehogs is to become a meal for humans. It has, however, been recently revealed in a study carried out by a Food Science team at UWIC ( http://www.guardian.co.uk/britain/article/00,,2169066,00.html ) that roast 'Hedge pig' was a popular food item in Britain for thousands of years. The spiky insectivore was encouraged to unroll by being dropped into hot water, had its throat cut and was then spit roasted like a pullet before being served with a herb sauce. I just hope that the planned TV programme (The People's Cookbook) fronted by Antony Worrall Thompson will not encourage too many modern nostalgic Britons to try it (even with nettle pudding- our oldest recipe apparently developed around 6000BC)!
This blog may help people explore some of the 'hidden' issues involved in certain media treatments of environmental and scientific issues. Using personal digital images, it's also intended to emphasise seasonal (and other) changes in natural history of the Swansea (South Wales) area. The material should help participants in field-based modules and people generally interested in the natural world. The views are wholly those of the author.
Friday 14 September 2007
Spit Roast Hedgehog Anyone?
The has been a number of recent postings about the plight of the European hedgehog in the UK. One fate that presumably is not been a recent concern for hedgehogs is to become a meal for humans. It has, however, been recently revealed in a study carried out by a Food Science team at UWIC ( http://www.guardian.co.uk/britain/article/00,,2169066,00.html ) that roast 'Hedge pig' was a popular food item in Britain for thousands of years. The spiky insectivore was encouraged to unroll by being dropped into hot water, had its throat cut and was then spit roasted like a pullet before being served with a herb sauce. I just hope that the planned TV programme (The People's Cookbook) fronted by Antony Worrall Thompson will not encourage too many modern nostalgic Britons to try it (even with nettle pudding- our oldest recipe apparently developed around 6000BC)!
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