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Man, y'all gotta trust me on the turkey necks. Back when I was at Tulane, I used to buy some gooood crawfish in New Orleans from this old black guy and he made 'em RIGHT. If y'all remember the barber shop in Coming to America, the mood in this place was just about the same. A few older black guys sitting around all day talking it up. Abe was his name and one day he says to me, "Boy, why don't you eva try dem turkey neck? Ain't you white boys eat dem too or jes' us black folk? Dem tings is goooood!" I told him I had never considered eating a turkey's neck. He sat there on top of an ice chest laughing and slapping his knee. Then he stands up and says, "White boy need to try a turkey neck!" And he threw one in the bag with the corn, sausage, and potatoes.
When I got home, I threw everything out on the table and started to chow down. My roommates crowded into the kitchen and hit it as well. One of them picked it up and said, "Sandy, what the HAIL is this?" So I told him the story. We all talked about how gross it was. He picked it up and put it in front of me. Then he said he'd give me $20 if I ate it. Man was it good. If you ever go anywhere in New Orleans, one thing to remember is the black folks flat out know what's good, and if it doesn't start out good, they make it good anyway. Don't knock it 'til you try it. Abe had a great time teasing me forever after that. I'd order turkey necks every time. One day he says, "Boy you eatin' dem turkey neck so much, you goin' to turn black. Dat's what soul food to to you." He was such a character. Last time I went there he was in poor health, and that was just before Katrina. I'm sure he's gone now, but he was a good friend.
I forgot to add brussels sprouts. Man do they soak up the good stuff fast! It's best to cook them first in plain water and pop them in for the soak.
When I got home, I threw everything out on the table and started to chow down. My roommates crowded into the kitchen and hit it as well. One of them picked it up and said, "Sandy, what the HAIL is this?" So I told him the story. We all talked about how gross it was. He picked it up and put it in front of me. Then he said he'd give me $20 if I ate it. Man was it good. If you ever go anywhere in New Orleans, one thing to remember is the black folks flat out know what's good, and if it doesn't start out good, they make it good anyway. Don't knock it 'til you try it. Abe had a great time teasing me forever after that. I'd order turkey necks every time. One day he says, "Boy you eatin' dem turkey neck so much, you goin' to turn black. Dat's what soul food to to you." He was such a character. Last time I went there he was in poor health, and that was just before Katrina. I'm sure he's gone now, but he was a good friend.
I forgot to add brussels sprouts. Man do they soak up the good stuff fast! It's best to cook them first in plain water and pop them in for the soak.
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