Before dinner, people engage in various rituals, from saying grace to clinking glasses to cleansing their palates. However, covering your head with a napkin before eating has to be one of the most unique traditions yet.
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- Why do people put a napkin on their head while eating dinner?
- What makes this dish ‘sinful’?
Why do people put a napkin on their head while eating dinner?
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This particular custom comes into play only when you’re devouring a specific dish, and the logic behind it will probably leave you with more questions than solutions.
When diners feast on the vegetable buntings, commonly known as hortelanas, they follow a curious tradition of covering themselves with napkins, with the intention of “hiding their sin from God.” The mystery behind this French delicacy and the need to hide from other diners and celestial observers may leave you intrigued.
In addition to its reputation as a delicious but controversial dish, the ortolan bunting happens to be an adorable little songbird.
What makes this dish ‘sinful’?
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Captured in nets as they prepare to migrate to Africa during the fall, the orchard bunting’s plight takes a harrowing turn. These nocturnal birds are confined in cages or covered boxes for approximately three weeks, which induces them to overeat by disrupting their natural biological clocks.
During this period, they are force-fed a continuous supply of grains and seeds, causing garden buntings to increase in size, almost tripling their original weight. After this, they are immersed in Armagnac brandy inside a container, a process that drowns and marinates them.
Once soaked, they are plucked and roasted for just eight minutes before being served to adventurous food enthusiasts. Tradition dictates that each orchard should be consumed in a single bite, promising an incredibly tasty, juicy and tender experience.
However, this culinary treat comes with a rather unpleasant surprise: a nauseating crunch as diners bite into the bird’s delicate bones and, occasionally, its beak. Some people find these crunchy items difficult to swallow and choose to discreetly spit them out along with other undesirable bits.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn