Urban dwellers tend to think of pigeons as feathered pests, a cooing, car-splattering nuisance to be avoided. However, pigeons have been domesticated and cherished for thousands of years as a food producer. Their meat is dark and richly flavored, like duck, and they're quick to raise. Squab, or young pigeon, is typically harvested for market at about four weeks of age. It's delicate and tender, and best cooked quickly at high temperatures.

Place your squabs on a cutting board. With a sharp, heavy chef's knife, cut each bird in half through the breast bone and backbone. Alternatively, make a cut along either side of the backbone and remove it. Carefully cut out and remove the keel bone that joins the breasts, and flatten out the squab to butterfly or "spatchcock" it.

Marinate the squabs for up to eight hours if you wish, or rest them in your refrigerator in a dry spice rub.

Fire up your grill to medium-high. Remove your squabs from the marinade and pat dry. Brush lightly with oil and season with salt and pepper. If you've used a dry spice rub, spray them with oil instead.

Grill the squabs until the skin is crisp and they're cooked to medium-rare, or 125 degrees Fahrenheit when tested with a thermometer.

Preheat the oven to 425 F. Season the squab inside and out with salt and pepper, or other herbs and spices as directed in your recipe.

Cover the breasts of each squab with strips of bacon, or wrap them in thin, lacy pork caul fat if your butcher can get it for you. Squab has little internal fat, and this extra layer of protection will help keep it from drying out.

Roast the squab for approximately 20 to 30 minutes, until their internal temperature reaches 125 F.

Cut the squab in half, and marinate them for up to eight hours if you wish. If you're not using a marinade, brush them lightly with oil and season them on both sides with salt and pepper, or other flavorings as directed in your recipe.

Preheat your oven to 425 F. Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet until very hot. Oil it lightly and immediately add the squab, skin side down. Sear the squab halves one or two at a time until they're well browned on each side. Transfer the squab to a baking sheet or heatproof dish and finish them in the oven until medium-rare.

To make a gravy, deglaze the hot skillet with a small amount of red wine, sherry or Madeira. Stir it to loosen the browned-on juices from the squab, then reduce the mixture until it begins to thicken. Whisk in a small piece of cold butter and strain the sauce into a sauce boat or measuring cup. Serve with the squab.