In Venezuela, Rodents Can Be a Delicacy

The New York Times ^ | 21 Mar 2007 | Simon Romero

[Kitten Festival]

SAN FERNANDO DE APURE, Venezuela — As dusk fell on the tropical wetland crawling with iguanas and small crocodilian caimans, José Ismael Jiménez pointed his harpoon at a rodent about the size of a Labrador retriever. With aim that comes from years of practice, he landed his spear on the back of its head.

Farmhands turned hunters stalking the wild capybara, reputedly the world’s largest rodent, on Saturday on Hato Santa Luisa. One of them hurled a harpoon at a wounded capybara. The meat is then salted and dried. But this hunt was not about ridding the country’s southern plains of varmints. It was about what’s for dinner.

[Kitten Festival]

As chavismo continues to take root and normal meat disappears from store shelves in Caracas, Venezuelans will find themselves expanding their rodent menu to ever greater varieties of rodent than just the big quasi-nutria capybaras they wolf down right now. Viva la revolucion!

[pissant]

Cats and dogs next.

[tubebender]

Please take my advice and do not read this story...

[Jaysun]

When I think of rodents I think of rats, squirrels, or house cats. Those capybara are friggen huge. They look like they'd be delicious. ;o)

[onyx]

Delicacy for "you" ping.

[A Navy Vet]

Ummm, yum. Sounds almost as good as the rat and dog meet barbeque in the streets of the Philippines. Just add sauce, cook thoroughly, and extemely tasty. Works best on a stick, especially after a few San Miguels.

[Political Junkie Too]

In Venezuela, Rodents Can Be a Delicacy

Now Chavez will nationalize rodents. Thanks to the NYT for ruining that little pleasure that was left for the people of Venezuela.

-PJ

[jws3sticks]

We always need pictures!

[Slings and Arrows]

"It's a cookbook! A cookbook!"

---

[pissant]

How to serve man

[Slings and Arrows]

Reference caught.

[snarks_when_bored]

In Venezuela, Rodents Can Be a Delicacy

There's nothing delicate about Hugo Chavez...

[pissant]

[Pro-Bush]

[COEXERJ145]

Actually capybaras have been consumed by humans for centuries.

[dighton]

Actually capybaras have been consumed by humans for centuries.

OK, but Homer will oink down all that remain by sunrise.

[Liberty Valance]

In Venezuela, Rodents Can Be a Delicate Balance...

[pcottraux]

They wouldn't dare eat their own president!

[Slings and Arrows]

It is extremely rude to compare Hugo Chavez to a giant guinea pig. I hope that you will apologize to the giant guinea pig.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

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