Chicken Necks - Where are you?

[foodluvngal]

When I was kid my mother used to make a chicken fricassee using, amongst other things, chicken necks. I've been to Chinatown, (Manhattan and Brooklyn), a bunch of Spanish markets along 4th Avenue in Sunset Park and have not been able to find them anywhere. I don't get it. What? Are they breeding neckless chickens?

I know Whole Foods sells them (organic, skinless and remarkably overpriced), but there must be someplace else I can find them, skin on and priced like, oh, I don't know - maybe chicken necks? Fairway has a package of "Backs and Necks," but there are not necks in those packages - only backs.

Any suggestions?

[rebeccaas21]

I know this is an old thread, but I purchased a pound of chicken necks for less than $1.85 today at Whole Foods. They are organic, but it seems hard to fathom they're overpriced. A similarly sized pack of organic chicken breasts or legs would have been almost $10 there and at least $6 for factory chicken elsewhere. Just in case anyone's looking.
Also, any special suggestions for cooking them?

[LVI]

Long and slow in a liquid, maybe 1/2 chicken broth 1/2 water. Just remember whatever you infuse the water with is the flvor you will taste in the background. I have always cooked chiken necks this way and it is certainly the easiest not to mention it makes a wonderful broth.

[pbjluver]

my grandmother and my mother always had them (and giblets) in their homemade chicken soup.
loved sucking on the bones and pulling off the meat.

[Cheese Boy]

Yeah, come to think of it where have all the necks gone? They're mixing gizzards and hearts in the same pack for some reason also. What is going on? We're a society obsessed with breasts. Boneless, skinless breasts everywhere. I can truly say, that besides in a whole chicken's cavity, I have not seen any *necks* anywhere. I wonder what happens to them nowadays?

I would try other *additional* Asian markets. That would still be your best bet, IMO.

[cimui]

>> We're a society obsessed with breasts.

in more ways than one.
ahem.
back on subject, i know the western beef in hell's kitchen used to sell them. and if it's not too far of a journey, the carniceria just east of the 157th st. subway stop on the 1 train has them.

[Cheese Boy]

Good call. Maybe the Big Apple Meat Market in HK might have necks sold separately. They're at 575 9th Avenue, just off 42nd St. You'll likely also note that they too are in the same circle as the other Hugh Hefners and Larry Flynts of the chicken world. Breasts abound there too.

[dorian]

Ask the butcher at Fairway. Last I've seen them was during the holidays. They probably have plenty but don't package it if it's not in demand.

[irisav]

I don't live in America let alone Manhattan/Brooklyn but I would recommend asking your/a butcher, generally they're quite obliging and if they don't have any in stock just give them a day or so's notice and they'll reserve/find some for you