Description
The Volailles de Licques PGI include free-range winged animals of different breeds, which originate from breeds and crossbreeds chosen due to the quality fowls and the slow-raising method. The most famous breed is the free-range turkey, but the denomination includes also white chickens, pullets, guinea hens, capons and yellow chickens.
Production Area
The production area of Volailles de Licques PGI is located in the departments of Calais, Boulogne sur Mere, Montreuil sur Mere, Saint Omer and neighbouring cantons.
Production Method
The free-range turkeys are raised all year round in small groups, at the beginning in roofed areas, with natural life and a density of about six turkeys per square metre. Later they are brought to grassy areas, during the breeding phase in the open air, with 6 sq. m. per turkey. The diet includes cereals and their by-products. They are butchered when 126 days old for males and 98 days old for females.
Appearance and Flavour
The fowl of Volailles de Licques PGI is compact and flavourful, whilst the skin is thin.
History
The fame of Volailles de Licques PGI goes back to the 18th century, when the turkey breeding already existed and was managed by the monks of the Abbey of Licques. Then, this particular type of breeding extended to the valley and the fame of these products conquered the entire region and became much appreciated also in Great Britain. After 1960, the farmers started to add new breeds in line with the ancient traditions.
Gastronomy
Volailles de Licques PGI, in particular, the Turkey of Licques, can be conserved for almost 10 days after butchering in the refrigerator, wrapped into the purchasing paper and stored in the coldest compartment. They can be conserved until 14 days if vacuum-packed or in controlled atmosphere. There are different regional recipes to prepare the Volailles de Licques PGI. The turkeys, in particular, are used for the traditional dishes of Christmas and New Year feasts and are prepared in line with elaborated local recipes, with very long over roasting and stuffing rich of seasoning.
Marketing
The Volailles de Licques PGI include different types of products, depending on the specific varieties of poultry of the denomination which are individually written on the package. Amongst these, there are dinde fermière de Noël, poulet fermier (rôti e blanc), pintade fermière, chapon fermier, poularde fermière (Christmas farm turkey, farm guinea hen - roasted and white, farm capon, farm pullets). The product is sold fresh, whole or without head, or in slices, packed in suitable trays with protected atmosphere to guarantee a longer conservation and keep unaltered the organoleptic features of fowl. The free-range turkey is sold above all sliced in different parts like whole leg, fillet, escalope, steak and fillet roast consisting of fowls coming from the abdomen muscles.
Distinctive Features
The higher quality of Volailles de Licques PGI is due to the selection of crossbreeds, to the diet and the special type of breeding method in the open air which is linked to the climatic characteristics of the land. This denomination is still much appreciated as confirmed by some local feasts like the turkey feast and the choice of these winged animals made by a lot of restaurant keepers for their menus.
