Most of us are always up for trying new things to eat when we are out and about.
This usually happens when we’re on holiday exploring new countries, or it could be when we’re out with friends and you fancy something a bit different.
But in November 1987, a fishmonger in Reading took this to a whole new level when they started to sell fresh ALLIGATOR on their stand.
The news reporter tried a piece and called it ‘pleasant’ before changing his mind
The reptiles, which originated from the USA, were the latest creature to be killed for food as part of the edible exotica craze during the 1980s.
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It had only been available for ‘special orders’, until the end of the decade, when it was up for grabs in a public stall in the middle of Reading.
Footage from the BBC Archive website revealed that the price of eating the animal was £8 per pound, which is equivalent to £18.69 in today’s money.
It was £8 per pound which is the equivalent to £18.69 in today’s money
A fishmonger explained: “We’re lucky in the respect that English people are still considered as the most adventurous eaters in the world.
“We once had a dolphin here which caught the attention of customers.
“It’s fair to say that it wasn’t appreciated.
The chunks caused a bit of a stir in the town
“It was killed by accident several years ago, but the English people would try and eat steaks of dolphin.
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“However, I don’t think it will catch on and it didn’t taste very nice’.
Some people decided to try the food - and the results were mixed
“But English people are willing to try it.”
Another market trader explained: “It has come from the Southern state of Louisiana in which it has been grown for its skin.
The husband was keen but the wife was not as she declined the opportunity to snap up the alligator in the streets of Reading back in November 1987
“This is just a by-product that has just got to be used.
“At £8 per pound, it is not as dear as the king prawns which are £12 per pound.”
This person described it as tasting like ‘chicken’ but didn’t seem that impressed
During the video clip, many bystanders were encouraged by the newsreader to try and sample a taste of alligator.
Many declined with a few accepting, and those who tried the dangerous creature described the food as ‘like chicken’.
One husband and wife in the clip showed polar opposite opinions when being offered to eat a chunk of the animal.
People young and old decided to try the food
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The wife declined and questioned the conversation of killing the animal, whilst the husband described his food as ‘magnificent’ and a ‘connoisseur of the alligator.’
The food was imported from the US to the UK which saw a stand in Reading decide to sell alligator meat in the town
When the newsreader tried some, he said: “It’s sort of like pork, veal, and it’s not fishy at all.
“It’s actually quite pleasant, but on second thoughts, it’s actually quite bland and tastes like chicken if anything.”
Alligator was one of the many items on the menu at this fishmonger in Reading
To watch the whole video, visit www.bbcrewind.co.uk.
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