Hasenpfeffer!

Went to market with my mother,

Grandma, auntie, sister, brother,

Need some hay to feed our heifer,

And some things for Hasenpfeffer.

Father sought to catch rabbit,

Set some snares so he could nab it,

Caught a hare and he’s a winner,

Now we’ll serve him up for dinner.

Now we need some burgundy wine,

Beaujolais is also quite fine,

Onions to be cut in slices,

Mustard, bay leaves; other spices.

Mix the marinade together,

Smells so good in any weather,

Mother says that it’s so tasty,

Simmer slowly; don’t be hasty.

Strain the marinade and add it,

To the thinly sliced up rabbit,

Marinade a day or better,

Long enough to knit a sweater.

Dredge in flour; brown in butter,

Hungry people start to mutter,

Soon we’ll sit to salt and pepper,

Taste delicious Hasenpfeffer!

Peter Lowell Paulson

February 1, 2012