FoodNetArchive

The complete cook book

1900

Page 3

Presented as published in 1900. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
Young turkeys are first killed in September; they are full grown and fattest in December, and remain good until spring, when they are superseded by frozen turkeys. Geese and ducks are first brought to market in June, and, if they have been properly fed, are a great deli- cacy. They may be had through the summer, autumn, and winter months. Geese are called "green" until they are three or four months old. Guinea-fowls are best in summer and autumn, when young and fat. Squabs are in market the whole year. The laws for killing and selling game vary some- what in the different States, and sometimes in the different counties of the same State. Reference is made principally in regard to the New York City markets. So great are the facilities for forwarding quickly by rail and steamer, that supplies of game are easily ob- tained from long distances ; and birds killed in southern Texas, or other remote places, may be served perfectly fresh on New York tables a few days later. The flight of birds is greatly controlled by the weather. Au early or late season, or a wet or dry one, or even a cold wave, may hasten or retard them, and make game plentiful or scarce, fat or poor; but an abundant supply of all kinds of game in its best condition is generally to be had in the months it is in season, as follows : Ruffed grouse, commonly called partridges, are in season from September 1 to February 1. Pinnated grouse, commonly called prairie chickens, from September 1 to February 1. Quails, from November 1 to February 1, Woodcock are in the market from August 1 to Feb- ruary 1, and are fattest in October. English snipe appear in the spring, and again in the The Complete Cook Book. 13 autumn, when they are in their best condition, and are to be had in smaller quantities during the winter. Yellow-legged snipe, robin or red-breasted snipe, dowicher and black-breasted or winter snipe, also com- mon snipe, are abundant in the spring, and again from July through October, when they are best. Upland, grass, or gray plover are in market through the spring and summer months, and are fattest in August and September. Doe-birds are to be had at about the same time. They are plover of a larger size, and are considered not inferior to any other. Golden plover, or frost-birds, are plentiful in the spring, and are in fine condition in September and October. Sora, or Virginia rail, are best in September and October. Keed-birds, or rice-birds, become very fat in August and September. When found among the reeds of New Jersey they are called reed-birds, and rice-birds when from the wild rice fields of the South. . Rabbits and hares are in season from November 1 to February 1. Venison is in market from August 1 to January 1 only, and is good during that time. Antelope may be generally had through the autumn and winter months. Wild pigeons appear in the spring and autumn, but no longer in such immense numbers as formerly. It is only possible to obtain them for market when their "nestings" are near a railroad, which facilitates their quick shipment. The young birds (wild squabs), taken from the nest, make a most delicious broil. Wild ducks, swan, geese, and brant are in season from September 1 to May 1. 14 The Complete Cook Book. MEASURES AND WEIGHTS. Siirty drops make one small teaspoonful. Two teaspoonfuls equal one desaertspoonful. Four teaspoonfuls or two dessertspoonfuls equal one tablespoonful. Four tablespoonfuls equal one wineglassful. Two wineglasses equal one gill. Two gills equal one coffee-cup. Two coffee-cups equal one pint liquid or one pound of dry material. Four gills make one pint. Two pints make one quart. Four quarts make one gallon. Two ordinary tumblerfuls make one pint liquid. One coffee-cup equals one-half pint liquid or one-half pound dry material — viz., sugar, salt, meal, fruit,