Chiayi tries to sell public on new Mid-Autumn delicacy: Crocodile leg

Taipei, Sept. 16 (CNA) The Chiayi County Agriculture Department on Wednesday made a special pitch for locally raised crocodile meat, as it touted county aquaculture products as suitable Mid-Autumn Festival barbecue fare.

In an interview with CNA, Chang Chien-cheng (張建成), a section chief in the department's aquaculture division, said Chiayi aquaculture products such as oysters, hard clams, whiteleg shrimp, tilapia and eels are low-fat, high in protein, and ideal for grilling.

Chiayi has another "special" aquaculture product -- crocodile -- which is also well-suited for grilling, he said.

According to Chang, Taiwan's largest concentration of "crocodile," actually spectacled caiman, farms is located in Yizhu Township.

Chang described crocodile meat as mild in flavor with a firm texture "similar to chicken."

Restaurants have devised several ways to prepare crocodile, he said, including grilling, deep-frying, boiling, baking, and stewing with traditional Chinese medicine ingredients.

The Chiayi Agriculture Department recommended skinless crocodile leg for grilling, saying the dish would stand out in a Mid-Autumn Festival barbecue both for its fresh taste and as "a topic of conversation."

In contrast, skin-on crocodile leg is best used in soups or dishes like "three cup crocodile," where its taste and texture are similar to giant grouper, the department said.

Consumers can browse and purchase over 220 Chiayi aquaculture products by visiting the county's "Chiayum" website (https://www.chiayumfresh.com.tw/), the department said.

Taiwan will celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as Moon Festival, on Sept. 25.