Would you eat that?
This question is for the meat eaters out there.
We have a lamb that is butchering age. I like lamb and order it occasionally in restaurants, but cooking it myself is new territory to me. So, in a couple conversations we've had with different people about eating lamb, it has been mentioned that the lamb testicles are some of the best meat. Yes, you read that right; the testicles. As my nine year old would say, "The boys."
You know I'm frugal. We've been told the testicles can weigh up to 25 pounds. Our lamb is young so there wouldn't be quite that much meat, but there still is a fair amount there I'm sure.
You know that I'm pretty adventurous, even when it comes to food. I really will try most anything once, but testicles? I think that is something I'd prefer to not know what I was eating the first time I tried it.
We're talking about essentially free meat here that is reportedly very delicious, but would you eat it?
CAT6
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23 comments:
You should see if you can sell it to a specialty store or butcher.
Then again, we eat tongue and tripe and it IS delicious!
No, I wouldn't.... but they'd make great dog food, I'm sure.
My husband grew up in a farming/ranching family. Our girls raise show goats in the FFA program. We live in a rural farming/ranching community. Yes, like Kathi, I eat tongue too. So you'd think with all this beefiness around me that I'd be more inclined to say "mmm.. chow down!" But what I'm really going to say is "eeeewwwww!!!" No, I don't think I could eat it!
No. Way.
That's all I'm saying ;)
Not a hope -- and in Australia we eat lots of lamb.
The eeewww! factor to preparing them would be pretty high, I think.
Kate
I think I'd have to take a pass on that one.
I grew up in Montana where the delicacy was Rocky Mountain Oysters. (That's the bovine version of what we're talking about here.) I never had those either.
Isn't it funny how our minds can't get past certain things that we aren't accustomed to.
We ate tongue when I was a kid. The thought still turns my stomach. Tripe? Can't get past that one either. But hot dogs? Pass the plate, and who knows what is really in those!
I'm thinking we should give them to the people who told us they were so good!
Kate,
You'll have to give me some pointers on cooking lamb!
You know, I'm usually willing to try anything once. But testicles? Nope. Not happening.
ew. I couldn't do it. But eating lamb itself is a challenge for me. I've had it when it was prepared deliciously but then I've had it when it was.. let's just say less than delicious.
It's so silly, but I wouldn't be able to eat it either. It makes no sense really, when you consider growing up Cajun meant tongue (ugh, not anymore), organ meats, head cheese (*gag*, but I used to eat it), raw oysters (my favorite!) as a kid.
But yes, unfortunately, like others, I cannot get past the mental EEEEWWW to actually ever think of eating them.
I have a personal rule about organ meat and I consider that organ meat. I don't eat it. It doesn't have as much to do with it being testicals for me but no, muscle or nothing.
What would you do with them if you didn't eat them? Would you just throw them away? Give them to the dogs?
Why not just cook 'em up and give it a try? And if you just can't bring yourself to put it in your mouth...THEN throw them away or give it to the dogs. But maybe once it's on your plate you'll be able to close your eyes and put it in your mouth...and you might like it.
I had oxtail soup when I was younger. Yum. I had octopus once as well, but that was gross. I eat raw fish all the time....and I've eaten tongue and black pudding.
I've never had the opportunity to eat tripe, for which I'm REALLY thankful. However, in the North of England where my parents grew up Tripe and Onions was a treat. =)
I've also eaten hot dogs, which takes quite a bit of courage. And I've eaten fast food, which you also need to be brave to attempt. In the past I've eaten fat free stuff, and who knows what's in that. I've also eaten cheese, the thought of which makes some other cultures gag.
It's all in the head. =)
Ah Keeley is one brave soul (or stomach)
I know it is all in my head, but....not sure I can or want to get past that! :)
PLEASE do not make that when we are visiting. Just thinking about it makes me gag a little. I have eaten tongue, heart, pigs feet and even brains but I have to draw the line somewhere.
I had Rocky Mountain Oysters as a teenager at a restaurant in Leadville, Colorado. It was pretty good. I would eat it again if it was prepared for me.
You have grown and nurtured that lamb, and now you are going to take its life, surely you owe it the respect of using every last inch of it!
For the record I have not eaten testicles myself yet, but given the opportunity, I would definitely swallow my suburban training and try it, with an open mind I hope.
I've eaten testicles (not mutton though), and they were too fatty and chewy for my taste. I'm with milehimama on this one. They'd probably be great for making stock, too.
wow - 25 lbs? really? My child doesn't weigh that much. LOL
I am in the habit of trying new foods, especially those that seem particularly nutritious (organ meats, seaweed, etc.), but since my family does not always agree, I tend to find ways to do so without telling them what they are eating. This morning I busted out laughing thinking how my husband would react if I told him he had just eat lamb testicles. I think that even if I waited until the next day, that he would still run into the bathroom to throw up!!!
We raised three lambs last year and are raising two again this year. We did not use the testicles - didn't even know that you could but I should have realized. We did our own slaughtering, so I doubt that I could sell them to the butcher because they can only sell meat that has been slaughtered in an inspected facility. I haven't decided yet if we will do the slaughter ourselves again this year. But if we don't, we will make sure that it is done in an inspected facility so that we may sell those parts to someone who will use them. Or I suppose you just give them away...
Annon.
We have butchered deer, poultry and rabbit, but are still deciding about the lamb. The facility our neighbor recommended only charges $40 to do the whole job. Seems worthwhile to me. I"m leaning toward giving the testicles to our buddy who is so fond of them. Now I'm just imagining telling the butcher that I'd like the testicles saved! LOL
I've never had testicles from any animal, so I can't give any insight on what they would taste like - or how to prepare them. Grilled? Sauteed with onions?
I do know that I would jump at the chance to try them once. But that's a prety personal decision - it's a comfort level that's not a "one size fits all" choice.
And even if you don't eat them - way to go on raising your own meat!
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Love,
Miss Rachel
I used to have friends who worked on commercial pig farms, in Nebraska. They had annual "parties" (can't remember the names) that were all about eating only this said piece of "meat."
It seems to be a common practice in many places.
I don't think I can cook lamb. I can cook, but it seems that some things are better when prepared for me.. out of simple lack of experience. I would hate to make a judgment of not liking something, to find out later that I botched it up.
So, I'd say invite the friend that says they are so great.. to prepare them.. then see if you can take a sample or sneak it under the table to their dog?? *giggle*
If they are tough or chewy like tongue or tripe, I couldn't swallow it, anyway. Not a matter of choice, though.
I'm with the commenter that said they sneak foods to try to their family. My youngest daughter tried duck and frog legs, with me, without knowing it. They were on a buffet. I felt brave that day! :)
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