The first time I heard of The Chinatown Chicken was when somebody I did radio drama with in New York City (yes, radio drama—there was a resurgence of it in the Eighties that lasted until the turn of the Millennium) showed off his college video project—a lampoon of PBS Arts programming that, after a lengthy pledge drive-like buildup, led to the "Art" piece...location video of the Chinatown Chicken playing Tic-Tac-Toe!
I was recently introduced to an old tool for pitting cherries - a cast iron cherry pitter! A coworker picked on up at an auction and had to do a little research to figure out what the heck it was. I was totally smitten by the look of it. It has 4 curvy little legs, a spout like opening for your cherry, and a handle to push the pit through the cherry and out through a little funnel. If you Google 'cast iron cherry pitter' you will see plenty of photos. There are also some that attach to a table or workbench, but the legged version is much cuter! :)
I remember that story in Gourmet. I too will read anything by Calvin Trillin, a true original and a great writer. It looks like Bud and Nick had some good times.
Wow... Trillin, Spanish peppers, and the (in)famous Chinatown chicken—a trifecta!
The first time I heard of The Chinatown Chicken was when somebody I did radio drama with in New York City (yes, radio drama—there was a resurgence of it in the Eighties that lasted until the turn of the Millennium) showed off his college video project—a lampoon of PBS Arts programming that, after a lengthy pledge drive-like buildup, led to the "Art" piece...location video of the Chinatown Chicken playing Tic-Tac-Toe!
Oxo also has a cherry pitter that does six at a time. Cherry recipes more appealing with this time saver.
That's what I was going to post about. I often do huge batches of sour cherry preserves, picking 15 pounds or more of cherries. I'd go crazy if I had to pit them one at a time. I have one that is the sam esign as the OXO, but is $7 cheaper. Works great! https://www.amazon.com/Remover-Portable-Kitchen-Cherries-1PC-Red/dp/B0CBV5H3WM/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=3JZ14UVKYJQM4&keywords=cherry+pitter+tool+multiple&qid=1689953259&sprefix=cherry+pitter%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1
I have and will read everything you and Calvin Trillin write! Thank you for sharing this! Wonderful!
Every week, pure joy. Every newsletter. Every single one. Thank you.
Wow, thank you for the mention! We use the Oxo cherry pitter too. May it give you many years of loyal service.
Mr. Trillin's Maison de la Casa House preceded Ken's Mojo Dojo Casa House!
Great read - busy getting ready for our family Hungarian bacon fry
...thanks for the lovely reminisce of Trillin. But I feel letdown. Is there nowhere online to read the "Pepper Chase" ?
I don't believe there is anywhere you can read it online. Unfortunately Conde Nast put all of gourmet.com on epicurious - and then epicurious took down everything but the recipes. It's a shame. But Bud republished the story in his collection called Feeding A Yen: https://www.amazon.com/Feeding-Yen-Savoring-Specialties-Kansas/dp/0375759964
Thanks. Off to Powell's Books this afternoon. I am enjoying your substack. TTFN.
Dear Ruth,
The rabbit hole of peppers and Mr Trillin delivered me to a Gourmet video , alas it does not play for me, in bed in Australia on Saturday morning.
Is there a way to these ?
Sadly, Conde Nast seems to have taken down all the videos we did. I keep hoping they'll put them back up...
what a shame - they could easily put ‘em on the you tube :)
thanks for the reply.
example: http://www.gourmet.com.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com/food/video/2008/09/cosentino_pigshead.html
I have ridiculous love for Calvin Trillin (never having met him), but I'm sure I'm not alone in that. I may have read his every published word.
I was sorry to see John Andrews go, so this is good news!
I was recently introduced to an old tool for pitting cherries - a cast iron cherry pitter! A coworker picked on up at an auction and had to do a little research to figure out what the heck it was. I was totally smitten by the look of it. It has 4 curvy little legs, a spout like opening for your cherry, and a handle to push the pit through the cherry and out through a little funnel. If you Google 'cast iron cherry pitter' you will see plenty of photos. There are also some that attach to a table or workbench, but the legged version is much cuter! :)
If that story was cut from your book, how come I remember it? So intimate and funny - and like a little poem...did you put it in a later book?
I remember that story in Gourmet. I too will read anything by Calvin Trillin, a true original and a great writer. It looks like Bud and Nick had some good times.
You, Calvin Trillin, and Mimi Sheraton are my favorite food writers.
Excellent articles! So interesting.
And way to go Stephanie!!!
Thank you!