10 Edible Organs You Should Be Eating (Or Not)
In today’s day and age, we are admittedly somewhat spoilt by the quality and amount of food products at our disposal. Moreover, most people can at least afford an acceptable cut of meat, with the occasional splurge on fillet or sirloin. But that was not always the case. In times gone by, the situation was often much more dire, and many families could only afford less than acceptable animal parts. These “offcuts” actually made for quite an interesting array of dishes, and they should by no means be seen as an afterthought. Here are some interesting organ recipes!
It can, and in fact should, legitimately be argued that almost every bit of an animal should find a use. After all, they give their lives for us. It is thus admirable, and even exciting, to try out some recipes that involve animal parts other than what we are normally used to.
Bull Testicles
This is actually quite popular in some parts of North America, where they are known by the colloquial names of “Rocky Mountain oysters” (in Colorado or Montana) or “prairie oysters” (in Canada), and refer to breaded bull testicles that are deep-fried. In other countries, such as Guatemala and Nicaragua, they are commonly used in ceviche where they are mixed with lime juice, tomatoes, onions, and cilantro, while the Spanish are fond of criadillas, a dish similar to Rocky Mountain oysters, bit with a twist: red wine sauce.
Ox Tongue
This organ a popular in many countries, and can be served in a of range dishes. Some say it is similar flank steak and filet in texture. In Mexico, is often used in tacos de lengua, where the tongue in chopped up and braised with garlic, herbs, and some spices, together with tacos and the run of the mill toppings usually served with it (e.g., as salsa and avocado).
Gizzards
You are unlikely to find this on your average restaurant’s menu. But gizzards are actually considered a delicacy in many countries other than the US, although in the South gizzards are often served like fried chicken. In Thailand, you will find them in khao man gai, a type of rice dish. Gizzards in pepper soup is popular in Nigeria, while the Portuguese use them in moelas, a dish that includes a broth of garlic, onions, and red wine.
Sheep Stomach
The Scots have long been known for eating a dish called haggis, which includes all manner of animal parts boiled up in a sheep’s stomach. This might not be for the faint of heart, so other options include turning the stomach into burgers, burritos, or even poutine. The Romanians are quite creative in serving it in oatmeal, and they even believe that sheep’s stomach, in the form of ciorba de burta, supposedly cures hangovers!
Lamb Kidneys
Probably one the most well-known uses of kidneys are steak and kidney pies, a dish that is very popular in many countries, most notably in England. When you are in France, you will surely find them sauteed or grilled, while in Hong Kong, they are a popular addition to stir-fry dishes, where they are usually cleaned first and cut into pieces before incorporating into the mix.
Goat Brain
Interestingly, goat meat has gained popularity in the US, and so has eating goat brains. However, many are still quite putt off by the idea. But eating goat brains is common in Middle Eastern countries. Breja fry, a dish you will in Mumbai, is made with curry, chili, and ginger, while the Mexicans fondly incorporate it into tacos de sesos. Many say that brains have the texture of scrambled eggs, and if you like such textures, it might be a no-brainer.
Beef Heart
Beef heart is actually good for your own heart! Being high in B vitamins and iron, it is considered to be quite a healthy food. Some Chicago restaurants incorporate it into watermelon salad, while Georgia is fond of barbecued beef heart. Anticuchos, a dish consisting of marinated, skewered, and grilled beef heart, is popular in Peru, while places such as Brazil, France, Denmark, and Japan love to make beef hearts the signature of their dishes
Duck Liver
Probably the most recognized dish that uses duck liver, is the so-called French dish foie gras. Although the liver usually has a rich and buttery texture, the practice of overfeeding ducks to obtain this texture is questionable. Nevertheless, other countries fondly consume duck liver, whether lightly cooked or even raw, such as in Argentina. There are a variety of ways in which duck liver can be used, and some examples include boiling, sautéing in wine or sherry sauce, used as a pate, or adding to casseroles.
Pig Intestines
We all love to pig out on pork! Whether it be chops, bacon, hot dogs, or sausage, no one needs convincing to eat their fair share of a good ol piggo. But, in some countries, their intestines are considered a delicacy. Soondae is a popular South Korean dish that includes boiled pig intestines, noodles, blood, and spices, while the Chinese serve boiled and filled pig intestines with pickled cabbage.
Human Placenta
Although this might sound like one of strangest new fads, it is not really something new. In fact, in olden days it was believed that mothers who consumed their own placenta after giving birth would be better at breastfeeding. This is true in various cultures, and in some of these it is even considered to be a sort of “rite of passage”. In China, dried placenta known as ziheche, is believed to cure infertility and impotence.
