Hasenpfeffer

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Hasenpfeffer (also spelled hasenfeffer) is a traditional German stew made from marinated rabbit or hare. Pfeffer is not only the name of a spice, but also for a dish where the animal's blood is used as a gelling agent for the sauce. Wine or vinegar is also a prominent ingredient, to lend a sourness to the recipe.

In the USA and perhaps elsewhere, squirrel is frequently^{[citation needed]} substituted for rabbit. This substitution is accepted as authentic by the families of German immigrants^{[citation needed]}. The substitution of chicken, although common, is not considered authentic.

[edit] In popular American culture

In American culture, the word "hasenpfeffer" is known primarily from the opening sequence of the television series Laverne & Shirley, where the girls recite a Yiddish hopscotch ("One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight! Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated!").

In a popular Bugs Bunny cartoon, Shishkabugs (1962), a Charles Laughton-like king orders his cook (Yosemite Sam) to bring him the aforementioned dish, resulting in difficulty for Bugs. In an earlier cartoon, Bowery Bugs (1949), Bugs lamented on the problems rabbits face, citing "Hunters, hounds, hasenpfeffer!"

Elvis Presley, in his 1960 film G.I. Blues, sings "We get hasenpfeffer and black pumpernickel for chow..."

The word is the namesake of the card game Pepper. It is also mentioned in the song "Don't Be the Bunny" (sung by Mr. Cladwell and the UGC Staff) from the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical comedy, Urinetown, and is one of William Barfee's words in the musical comedy The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Hasenpfeffer & the Bombdiggitty (named for the lead singer, Hasen Pfeffer) was also the name of a popular funk/beat-poetry/rock band from Logan, Utah from 2003-2007.