Pieds paquets

Pieds paquets, meaning feet and packets of tripe, is one of the finest and most unique dishes of Provençal cuisine. The dish is a specialty of Marseille and Sisteron, consisting of stewed lamb's feet and tripe that are filled with carrots, garlic, onions, salt pork, and herbs. Slowly simmered, the meat becomes so tender that it almost melts in the mouth. Originally, pieds paquets was invented out of poverty, in times when meat was scarce and every part of the animal had to be used. Today, chefs from Sisteron suggest that the dish should be prepared a day in advance, and it is recommended to cook it for at least seven hours.