Look Out, Look Out, There Is A Les Ranaculteur About!

well may be more than one! what is a les ranaculteurs? I hear you ask, well someone who illegally collects frogs legs, a black market has flourished over the past decade after the introduction of regulations to protect the European common frog and the edible frog, both savoured in eastern France, Frédéric Bon, the deputy regional director for the National Office for Hunting and Wildlife in eastern France, told The Times. “If you want to catch 30 frogs to eat at home, there’s no problem, but if you want to catch 500, it’s another matter.” I had not realized how much money was involved, dozens of the culprits — some responsible for the deaths of thousands of frogs — have been rounded up in a four-week operation by state gamekeepers, they face up to six months in prison and a fine of €9,000 (£7,900) if found guilty in trials later this year, however, profits are so high — a gang of four can earn €50,000 in a month — that this is unlikely to stamp out the illegal trade, well just in case you want to try some here goes, from the kitchens of Auberge du Château de Vaite, Champlive, fry two dozen frogs’ legs in butter for one minute on each side until golden, add persillade (a mixture of finely chopped garlic and parsley), salt and pepper before serving, eat with your fingers, the taste of the white meat is said to resemble soft, tender chicken, sounds good, I will just hop off to Friendship to buy some!