Howard's Crispy Fried Chicken Skins, Because Pork Rinds Are So Last Year
I'm one of those people for whom the annual white meat–dark meat debate is moot; I'm only really interested in the turkey's crisp, golden skin. If the makers of Howard's Crispy Fried Chicken Skins introduced a seasonal turkey skin product, I think they'd really be onto something. (Admittedly, I may be alone in thinking this.)
I can't promise that this is a regular feature of Howard's Bag-o-Gribenes, but mine contained an entire chicken wing, incinerated to a fine crackle. The smaller pieces were crunchy, salty, and less greasy than you might imagine, but left a lingering taste of old oil. They're probably best consumed with something palate-dulling, like lots of beer.
I never saw another bag at the Brooklyn deli where I bought the first one, or in any other store in New York, and the manufacturer has no website that I can find. Only a (withering) review on Taquitos.net convinces me that this wasn't some Twilight Zone snack encounter. Has anyone else tried, or liked, these?
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25 Comments:
I haven't heard riof these before, but I spent some time in Britain in the eighties and they had some killer chicken flavored potato chips (crisps as they say). Just like super crispy chicken skin.
dhorst at 6:07PM on 11/30/08
I wasn't satisfied with the crispness of my turkey skin, so I stripped it off and rendered it. YUM YUM YUM.
jackiecat at 6:14PM on 11/30/08
The thought of all that fat makes me cringe.
runnereater at 6:36PM on 11/30/08
I am determined to find these in Brooklyn. My search begins now.
mscherryclafouti at 7:29PM on 11/30/08
I'm not sure how I feel about that...wait.... *throws up in mouth a little*.
Southern_bella at 7:32PM on 11/30/08
http://d-n-rdistributorllc.com/fried-pork-skins11.html
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Whopper at 7:43PM on 11/30/08
I hear next year's style is beef skins and after that fish skins....
RedVelvetBoba at 8:13PM on 11/30/08
@ redvelvetboba
actually, fish skin is really good. i had salmon skin chips with a salmon tartare and chive dip at per se.
also, so not alone on the turkey skin!
dmarina at 9:22PM on 11/30/08
I used to be able to easily get these when I lived in TN. They do indeed exist.
kaszeta at 9:25PM on 11/30/08
@dmarina
I agree fish skin is good... real good whenit is deep fried
beef skin however is a whole other story..............................................................................................
lol
RedVelvetBoba at 10:26PM on 11/30/08
Chicken chicharon is available in Manila, I first ate them in my school canteen, and have found them in supermarkets and food markets. They are best eaten hot and fresh, use them as a substitute for croutons!
milatan at 5:29AM on 12/01/08
ive not tried these.. ive made crispy chicken skins on my own before..
really yummy stuff.. just fatty.. and not good for you.. but absolutely mouth watering good.
cookieprincess at 7:20AM on 12/01/08
I've seen them for sale at the Grand Street Market in Albany. I can confirm their existence, but not their tastiness, as I did not try them.
Kerosena at 11:00AM on 12/01/08
Thank you to the commenters offering proof of HCFC's existence! I am not, after all, insane.
Michele Humes at 1:28PM on 12/01/08
Fried fish skins are excellent - I had some excellent, thin and crispy versions served alongside wonton noodle soup in Hong Kong last week.
mandabear at 1:47PM on 12/01/08
my brother refers to crispy fish skin as "salmon bacon", yum. others find it too fishy.
our grandmothers used to make gribenes, mother did too. i remember her cutting up the skins with scissors, and anxiously waiting for the crispy results to come out of the schmaltz. my husband thought i was trying to kill him with them when i had a bout of nostalgia and made them a few years ago. it's all about the hot and crispy--hard to believe the ones in a bag would be as good.
dzagnut at 2:36PM on 12/01/08
Howard's is located in Hamden, CT. The company is called International Provisions, and their site is....(wait for it)......http://www.friedporkskins.com.
You might be able to buy directly from them, not sure. I do see the bags of pork skins all over the place here in the New Haven area, but never have seen the chicken....
dpreschel at 11:47AM on 12/02/08
@dpreschel Intrepid work! Finally, a reason to visit Connecticut!
Michele Humes at 3:57PM on 12/02/08
I'd try these.
And fish skin is delicious if done right - find a trustworthy Japanese restaurant and order a salmon skin seaweed salad. Mmm...
madball911 at 10:11PM on 12/02/08
I,like you love a good turkey or chicken skin.I have long thought of having such an item at a food stand or bbq place.I to thought that i was the only one that wanted this sort of thing but now through the magic of tv you see other countries that eat it every day.Not that i am saying it is good for you but it is tasty and it has many possibilities in the food world.
bobrbw at 6:19PM on 12/09/08
yeah these are kinda good. pretty salty, smells a little skank; they only had the 2oz. size at the bodega I got them in so . . . no whole chicken wing. seriously, is that real? did you really find a whole chicken wing in there?
I got them at a bodega in the South Bronx, corner of East 138th Street and Brown Place.
Yum.
avisualperson at 2:06PM on 12/15/08
oh and to add to the eating experience (and probably deter you); there are dry pieces and "wet" pieces . . . . the wet being pieces which were particularly juicy with grease. ugh. would be good crushed on top of a casserole or . . . . fried up into some rice . . . . . or strewn over ceviche.
avisualperson at 2:09PM on 12/15/08
@avisualperson: Yes, the chicken wing is honest-to-God real. Hm, "over ceviche". I'd try it, but it's kind of a hard sell.
Michele Humes at 3:19PM on 12/15/08
I like chicken but "chicken skins" in a bag sounds gross. I'll just stick to my favorite
HREF="http://www.jitaporkrinds.com">pork rinds
KellieT at 12:23AM on 12/19/08
My favorite pork rinds
KellieT at 12:30AM on 12/19/08