Soupa Patsas (Tripe Soup)

Clean, scrape, and wash the tripe and feet. Scald in boiling water; cool. Cut the tripe into small pieces, place in a large pot with the feet, cover with plenty of water; bring to a boil, skimming off the froth as it rises. Lower the heat. Add the garlic, and cook at a slow boil for 1 to 2 hrs., adding a little coarse salt just before the meat is tender. Remove the pot from the heat; strain the broth and reserve. Remove and discard the bones from the feet; cut the meat into 3 or 4 pieces; return to the broth.

Prepare the avgolemono as follows: Beat the eggs very well. Slowly add the lemon juice to them, beating all the while. Add a little hot broth from the pot, stirring constantly, then pour the mixture back into the soup. Add pepper just before serving.

NOTE: This soup, very light in color, can be served not only hot but cold. For the latter, let it jell, then cut into squares or diamonds for serving. When it is served hot, some people prefer it mixed with oil and vinegar, instead in avgolemono.