The Supermarket Gourmet

by Buck Reed

A Crawfish Tale

During the 1600s, two very distinct people immigrated to the Americas from France. One went to New Orleans, where they found industry and prosperity. The first generation to be born here were dubbed the Creoles. The second group went to Acadia in Canada to look for their fortune. Instead, they found hardship and persecution from the British who settled there. Eventually, they picked up and moved to New Orleans; but unlike their Creole cousins, they were very poor and could only afford the swamp lands around the city. Being from Acadia, these people were called the Cajuns.

A very distinct difference can be found in the way these two groups ate. The Creole would need six chickens to prepare a meal for one, whereas, a Cajun could feed six people with one chicken. In fact, it is said that a Cajun can pull up to a puddle on the side of the roadway and find a meal for his family within. Now at this point, most of my readers might expect me to list off several indigenous ingredients or the delicious dishes they might make. But not today. Instead, I would like to share a Cajun fairy tale.

While the Cajuns lived in Acadia, their life was harsh. They might well have perished had it not been for a very important friendship they made with the lobster. At the time, lobsters were plentiful and being the friendly sort were happy to be a major food source for their Cajun friends.

Time went by, and even with their deep friendship with the land and animals living there, life proved too harsh for the Cajuns. So, it was decided they would relocate to New Orleans in hopes of a better life.

Now, leaving the British who never really cared for them might be easy, but telling their friends was difficult, especially their very good friends, the lobsters. The lobsters were hurt and sad to hear this news. In fact, they were so distraught that a very large number of them made up their minds that they would follow their friends down south to live with them.

As the Cajuns migrated south on ships and such, the lobsters started their trek by walking along the east coast and around Florida into the gulf, and eventually into the swamps of Louisiana. Yet, this trip proved to be very difficult for the lobsters and it took a toll on them. As they traveled, they became weaker and weaker and smaller and smaller.

When the lobsters finally made it to New Orleans with their friends, they were the tiny Mud Bugs that feed the Cajuns today. And being a thoughtful people, anytime the Cajuns have a celebration, they have a crawfish boil where their friends are always guests of honor. It is best to read this story with a Cajun accent, as this was how it was told to me.