Whether it’s pot-zah ball soup or schnitzel tacos there’s a definite global hankering for new spins on Jewish classic recipes. For those who are intrigued by these new food trends, we’ve rounded up a few oft-overlooked kosher animals who may make it to your Shabbos table soon. Happy hunting.
RIGHT IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD:
10. Canada geese are the second-largest honking waterfowl in North America, and they often take over the cornfields and playgrounds. Yet these birds can be a backyard-to-table coup if you have the right ingredients. Canada Goose in Sweet Chili Sauce may be just the delicacy for you.
9. Doves and pigeons (aka “squab”) are lean, plentiful dark meat birds, which you may see hanging out on electric lines or neighborhood trees.
8. While most flying insects are forbidden from consumption, Leviticus 11:21-22 specifies that locusts are available for chomping. Add a little flour and seasoning, fry them up, and you have a crunchy home-grown snack. (Just take off the heads first to avoid shrieking dinner guests.)
UNDER THE SEA:
If herring and whitefish salad are boring your tastebuds, there are many more exotic sea delicacies to try:
7. Often found off the coast of Florida with Bubbe and Zayde, the jewfish is from the grouper family and can grow up to 700 pounds. There are several theories about how it got its name and whether it’s derogatory toward Jews. But whatever you feel about its nomenclature, there’s no denying it makes a scrumptious coconut jewfish entrée.
6. And while you’re looking in the fish-with-scales family, the monkeyfaced eel has been called “ugly as sin” with a somber face that looks out soulfully from the rocks of Monterey Bay, but it’s also very tasty in a fish gumbo with a side of kasha varnishkes.
5. And last but not least, the shibuta has made many appearances in the Talmud, and has a unique pork-like taste to it. According to ancient texts, a salted head of shibuta boiled in beer is not only delicious but can possibly cure jaundice.
HOME ON THE RANGE:
4. OK’d by Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and the Orthodox Union, bison are not only the national mammal of the United States, they also make a very lean, tender brisket roast.
3. As long as you’re in the market for cud-chewers with cloven hooves, there are also tasty recipe ideas for elk (chipotle chocolate chili!).
2. Bighorn sheep (stew!), or
1. Moose (meatballs!)
Nosh away. And let us know how it goes, k?
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