Friday, December 16, 2005

Hot Dog! It's Not A Christmas Post!


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In Pure Florida, when the self-control flickers, will power falters, and the craving for a good ol'fashioned hot dog overwhelms me, I go cut a palmetto frond.

I also start a fire, because even though steamed is good, grilled is better.

The palmetto frond has to be processed of course. This is simple and only requires a pocket knife. Cutting the frond requires a quick check for rattlesnakes and wasp nests, but if none are found, cut the frond off near the trunk.

With the frond in hand, trim off the leafy fan (bottom left photo). Now take your knife and shave off the "saw" part of the saw palmetto frond (top right photo). This is just for user comfort.

With the saw edge removed, use the knife to whittle a point on the now bare stem. Impale your hotdog and check to be sure the dog is securely on the stem. If so, you are ready to cook.

Palmetto frond stems work great for this type of grilling as they are green and not prone to burning through and dumping dinner into the ashes. Also, they are everywhere so finding one is not usually a problem.

They also work for marshmallow cookery, but I only eat those in hot chocolate.

So in your neck of the woods, what do you use for campfire hotdog cookery?

Note to PETP (People for the Ethical Treatment of Palmettos), No palmettos were permanently harmed for this demonstration)


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10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Does the green leaf impart any taste into the dog? In my neck of the woods I use gray dogwood branches. They grow shrub-like in great bunches from the ground, so there are dozens of long, firm, straight sticks to choose from. I cut a few a couple years ago, and only now are they starting to burn from being dry. Also, I tend to cook brats rather than hotdogs. (I can hardly wait to hear what Tjilpi will comment about this post.)

R.Powers said...

Pablo,
Brats are good too. The other key ingredient is really good spicy brown mustard.
I don't know if Tjilpi visits Pure Florida.

No flavor is imparted from the green palmetto stem.

R.Powers said...

DPR,
I really limit hotdog intake. I see it as an occasional treat, to be savored,...like Chunky Monkey ice cream.

OldHorsetailSnake said...

I have found that juniper twigs impart a certain flavor. Not good, but certain.

Darlene said...

My daughter was down in Peru for several months, and raved over the taste of food cooked in the various plant leaves down there; fish in particular, but chicken, fruits, you name it. Amazing how it can make the food juicier and bring out the taste, from what she described. When should I be over to your place to try your hot dogs? (wish!)

Juli said...

Using a palm frond thingy... wow, I learn so much from you. My saw palmetto will not be happy that I read your blog.

R.Powers said...

OldHorse,
That would be a gin flavored hotdog right?


Darlene,
I have never tried the leaf wrap cookery, but I know of it. I do have some banana leaves that are plenty big enough...

Thing,
Don't be a weiner whiner. :)

Girl,
Try not to denude your palmetto ...be gentle.

cinbad122 said...

I use the fonds to roast marshmellows!

R.Powers said...

Cinbad,
YOU would go for the sweet stuff!

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