The Confrèrie du Coscoll

Last night's award ceremony was a pleasant occasion. Only our captain and I were able to attend but we had a good evening. We were served aperitifs, a huge paella and fougasse for dessert. The trophy is now sitting on my sideboard awaiting the club dinner and presentation in a couple of weeks time. I went over to the park after the service where the Fête du Coscoll was taking place. The Coscoll is a plant that grows at about two thousand metres and slightly resembles celery. Enthusiasts guard their knowledge of where it grows in the same way as those who gather mushrooms. Great care has to be taken as it resembles an aconite which is poisonous. In fact some local Italian workers died a few years ago having made a mistake in identification. Personally I do not think it is particularly worth the effort of going to gather it. As I arrived, there was a peculiar ceremony taking place whereby a new member was being inducted into the confrèrie. This involved receiving his apron and hat and swearing an oath of allegiance, obedience to the grandmaster, respecting nature and other worthy principles. It all seemed rather strange, more like admission to a secret society. The French are very fond of these confrèries, as they are of all their minor festivals. Next week we have the nettle festival along with soup tasting.