SOME LIKE IT HOT...

...AND FUNKY!

This is the scene as you enter HATCH, New Mexico.

Roadside shacks selling mostly chile...
Funky signage...
VERY funky signage...

Did he try to trip someone and get his foot bitten off in the process?!

Then turn the corner where you'll find a little more upscale chile shops...

Some with roof-dried red chiles.

Hatch, New Mexico has been hatched as the Southwest's hot spot for chile lovers. I flew through the town but couldn't resist a stop at my favorite mama y papa's chile store. It has changed somewhat since my last visit three years ago: the shack's floor has been gentrified (since a breached canal flooded the premises in 2006) -- the New Mexican dirt has been replaced by some shiny linoleum tile! And there were a few new products on the makeshift shelves. Like organic powdered chipotle and garlic that I think will definitely refine my scrambled eggs!

The "next generation," who speaks flawless English, is still behind the counter. No workers were in the back constructing chile wreaths, crosses, strands though; it was a Sunday, and they had the day off. I missed hearing their chatter while watching their nimble fingers, like greased lightening, thread the bright red chiles into festive, edible souvenirs of the capsicum fruit that makes this Rio Grande River region "world famous"!

You can even buy locally grown potatoes, onions, garlic, pecans and honey.

For some Southwest small town flavor, Hatch is worth a stop. Tell 'em I sent you!

RHYTHM AND MOVES

The fellow in the red shirt is a regular at Cafe des Amis' Saturday Zydeco Breakfast in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana where the music is loud, the cafe is jam-packed from 7:3o in the morning, the band plays until 11:30, the dance floor is any opening between tables, and patrons patiently waiting for a breakfast table either line up at the bar or spill onto the sidewalk outside.

I just named him "Tyler, the Turbo-Footed Dancing Fool," and the name stuck!!!! I've never seen him sit out a number. He's high energy and skilled and attends the breakfasts without a partner, picking different ones from the crowd -- usually one who is equally dynamic and can match or outmatch his moves

This particular young woman (I just named her "Regina, the Exuberant Zydeco Dynamo," and the name stuck!) arrived with some other dude, not nearly as accomplished or high-octane as Tyler the Turbo-Footed Dancing Fool. She is obviously enjoying the change of partners.

I love watching Tyler. I wish you could hear the music and watch him move on the tiny dance floor. These photos are blurred because my camera just isn't fast enough to stop the action. Maybe if you press the down arrow really fast, you'll get some idea of the energetic moves and maneuvers of these two!

The yellow thing dangling from his belt is a towel. The sweat pours off his brow, and he cleans up nicely between dances! His white tennies are always spotless.

Well look what I just found while looking for some background music...the real deal, videographed in April this year. Why I think it could be Regina too. YES! Look at the torn jeans...it's Tyler and Regina together again -- what a pair. It appears they have other admirers besides me!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVLyqoiar-E&feature=related

OK, I just learned their real names are Lorrae Lantier and Clifton Leon. To me though, they'll always be Tyler and Regina!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdjprcPD9B0&NR=1

THE GIANT SCRAMBLE!

What has 5023 eggs, 50 pounds of green onions, 75 bell peppers, 4 gallons of onion tops, 2 gallons of parsley, 1.5 gallons cooking oil, 6.5 gallons of milk, 54 pounds of butter, 3 boxes of salt, 2 boxes of pepper, crawfish tail meat, Tabasco to taste?

Give up?

The Giant Omelet in Abeville, Louisiana. Only by the time the cooks are through with it, IT'S A GIANT SCRAMBLE!

~~~~~~~~~~

In 1984, three Abbeville citizens attended the Easter Omelette Festival in Bessieres, France and were knighted the first of Abbeville's Chevaliers (cooks). They returned home determined to bring Abbeville closer to its French heritage by hosting an omelette festival of its own, joining the sisterhood of cities that celebrate the omelette annually the world over.

So, since 1984, the Abbeville Giant Omelette Festival is celebrated in the City's historic downtown over the first weekend in November and includes music, crafts, food, an art show, an antique car show, lots of congenial friendship and plenty of other activities to make this an unforgettable annual event.

The parade of Chevaliers includes a priest to bless the eggs. What would a Giant Omelette be if it wasn't blessed first? Oh ICK! Can you find the priest?

We're having fun NOW!
Oh yeah! A little skin doesn't hurt!

The band plays while 5,023 eggs are cracked, and if there's music, the citizens of Abbeville dance.

Not certain what this woman's gesture is trying to say. For some reason, I don't think it bodes well for what's ahead!

Paddles at the ready. No, they aren't for spanking giants!!

Cracked eggs go into 5-gallon buckets, milk and seasonings are added, then the muck is mixed with a unique blending tool. (Looks more like an Iranian torture device to me!)
Does this look like 5,023 egg shells to you? I think the band is looking at playing a few more sets.

Bringing on the skillet -- this was the really exciting part. I held my breath.

Aiming and setting it over the fire, just so. I bet that guy spends a lot of time practicing maneuvers at home with a joy stick!

As the skillet warms, begin prepping it with a little oil...

Then a lot of butter...

Hey bud, pay attention! Move that paddle! Stop with the gawking at the girls already! You're too old anyway.

The fire tender has the most exacting job. Hot too!

Is it ready for the "stuffing" yet?

OK, add the onions and saute...

Add the bell pepper...

Saute some more, and give it a little body English...

Add the mud bugs...saute some more...Aaahhhh, 'bout time!
Add the pre-blessed eggs!

Snag that Tabasco Girls dance troupe and add a little spice. Don't know about you, but I think eggs are boring without spice!

And continue mixing gently.
Bring back that lean, mean forklift driver and get this puppy off the fire.
Continue to scramble. Oops! I mean omelette. (Is that a verb? Well, it is now!)
Set up the serving bowls...

Chevalier assistants serve up this wonderful "Omelette of Friendship" with a slice of Poupart's French Bread. Voila!

Serve until the skillet is empty!

C'est Bon!

Return to the craft booths...

And if you don't like your eggs scrambled, you can always get a bag of freshly roasted peanuts!