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Chitlin' Strut
Chitlin' Strut
By: © Nelson Taylor 2012
Chitlin', chitlings, chitterlings, they are all the same, more than three feet of hog intestine, boiled until tender, then battered and deep fried. Since 1965, the small town of Salley (pop. 495) has hosted the Strut, a weekend honoring the chitlin', one of the deep South's most time-honored delicacies.
Some folks say they are an acquired taste and have a unique flavor somewhere between beef tripe and cow belly. And the smell, it's similar to a maggot infested possum that's been sitting on the side of the highway for about six days. "They're pretty bad smelling," says Town Clerk Peggy Yon. "Some people say the smell sends even the flies packing. But if you put some good hot sauce on the fried chitlin', you can barely even taste it going down." Can you believe anyone actually eats these things? Excuse me, Sir, how much for the feces kabob? I mean, come on. Yet, Salley's Strut attracts some 40,000 gut-gorgers every November, who put away about 10,000 pounds of chitlin's. (South Carolina's own Strom Thurmond shows up every year.)
Beware, hour-long lines for $7 plates of chitlin's, slaw and Wonder bread can leave you feeling like a limp pickle. But once you get your food, you can relax under a shady tree to the sights and sounds of the annual "Strut" (dance) and "Hawg Calling" contests. While entrance to the Strut is free, $1 donations are kindly accepted.
Chitlin' Strut - When, Where and More Info Please
America Bizarro
The above snippet is just one of a collection of 240 off-beat articles on 2camels from Nelson Taylor's wonderful America Bizarro.
America Bizarro is a unique travel guide that celebrates humorously interesting, pop-culture kitschy and off-the-map odd festivals, out-of-the-way gatherings, kooky conventions, conferences and contests throughout the United States.
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