You know you're in the South when...

You read stories like this one in your local newspaper. From Jasper's Daily Mountain Eagle:

It's hog boiling time for members of Meek High School.

This Friday, the 47th Annual Chittlin' Supper sponsored by the Meek High School Band of Champions and the Winston County Chittlin' Eaters Association will be held in Arley.

For those who aren't so adventurous, chicken is provided as a substitute for the chittlins. The entire menu consists of chittlins or chicken, cole slaw, potato salad, cracklin' cornbread and rolls.

And what would a meal be without the evening's entertainment? This year Meek will host a number of alumni who have agreed to sing, the gospel group 3 for 1, Elvis impersonator Doug Lewis, Judge Bobby Aderholt from Haleyville, and children from around the community. Hartselle country music radio personality Carol Ann will be the emcee.

Throughout the night, door prizes will be given away to lucky participants and the band will have T-shirts for sale. The annual Chittlin' King and Queen will be crowned, which is voted on by the students of Meek. It will also include the yearly hog calling contest and buck dancing contest. ...

Tickets in advance can be purchased for $7 for adults at William's Grocery, Arley Farm Supplies or at the school's office.

Tickets will be $8 for adults and $5 for children the night of the supper.

The chittlin' supper will start at 5 p.m. and end at 9 p.m. on Friday, March 17.

For those of you who don't know what chitlins* are: they are hog intestines; they are prepared by first cleaning thoroughly (very important), then boiling and/or frying with whatever spices you like. They are served plain or with hot sauce. I've never had them myself, but I've heard that they are quite tasty, but a little greasy.

If you are tempted to make some yourself, there are plenty of recipes at this site , and this one has both a recipe and a bit of chitlin history. If you're a bit turned-off by the whole cleaning process, you can order your chitlins already hand-cleaned from The Chitlin' Market. Sounds almost too good to pass up, huh?

*The proper spelling is "chitterlings."