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Eating Horse
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I've had my share of suspect meat throughout my travels and have learned to live by the Mystery Meat Rule of Ignorance: Don't ask and assume it is cow.
I ate a lot of meat in Kazakhstan a few years ago and for the most part, enjoyed whatever I found on my plate. Sure, the meat was a bit strange at times, but hey, it must Kazakh cow!
I don't recall, however, eating the most famous plate of meat in Kazhakstan, the national dish of beshbarmak. Had I done so, I would have known immediately it wasn't my friend the cow.
According to a Reuters article by Michael Steen, Beshbarmak actually comes from at least two, and perhaps even more, four-legged animals; the horse and the lamb. More specifically, it is stewed horse head, lamb, and liver. Apparently the liver can come from a variety of different creatures, hoofed or otherwise. The photo above includes beshbarmak served with the ever popular side dish of koybas: a boiled sheep's head.
The good news is that if the barnyard found on your plate tastes a bit funny, you can always wash it down with a swig of Kumys. That's fermented mare's milk for all you non-Kazakhs out there.
Filed under: Food and Drink, Kazakhstan
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 10)
Bob Nov 26th 2006 7:38PM
Remember James Bond's Octopussy? Doesn't like to eat something that's staring at him!!
Ralph Nov 26th 2006 7:46PM
One other thing, it is against Federal law to sell horse meat in any fashion in this country. Danish Hams are NOT made from horse meat.
Back during World War II, on "Meatless Tuesday's" you could go to the market and buy what was called 'Blood Pudding'. It came in a roll like smoked sausage does today. It was made from cooked and congelled horse blood. Think about that.
jason Nov 26th 2006 7:38PM
Food is food, and anyone that says otherwise lets see you starve before you eat these so called non edible things... It won't happen.. when you have to you will... it's only the availability of choice that allows you to say one thing is gross and another isn't.. I too could not bring myself to eat a head of anything, but I can guarandamtee that if I was starving and all there was was roten cow or horse head or any head, I would crack that bitch open and lick the brains of the skull wall with glee as I watched you starve... wich you wouldn't... point in case, humans will even begin eating other humans over starvation... survivals a bitch, but it's bred into us all... you would all eat wht you had to, and your body and mind would soon learn to enjoy it. it's not the food that is gross, it is the fear of the unknown...
keith Nov 26th 2006 7:44PM
I'm in agreement with Col. Potter in MASH about the Koreans eating their horses.
"Horses are noble creatures, you don't eat a horse. Cows on the other hand, you're doing them a favor by eating them, that way they don't have to look at themselves in the water trough every morning."
Diana Navon Nov 26th 2006 7:43PM
Why is it that religion doesn't teach compassion for animals? In fact, in the above comments, no one mentions that aspect at all.
Marilyn Nov 26th 2006 7:42PM
Eating animals other than those that we typically consider to be "food" in America may seem gross to us, but there are cultures who would consider eating cows to be horrible. Why not clear up any confusion and just not eat meat to begin with?
Cora Nov 26th 2006 7:44PM
Keep in mind that people who live around the world are parts of different cultures. What may be barbaric and savage to us is normal and acceptable in other cultures and vice versa.
Frank Barnes Nov 26th 2006 7:45PM
To the chicken lovers be sure that isn't crow you are eating.
David Nov 26th 2006 7:54PM
Every country has different types of food that they are used to having as normal foods to eat. We are so used to what we call normal that the mention of horse meat or any other types makes people sick to think of it. If we actually saw a cow being slaughtered for consumption we would probably get sick and not want it either. Just respect that everybody has different customs that we have and are just as normal to them as ours are to us.
John Nov 26th 2006 7:48PM
if any of you had a personal chef you wouldn't have to worry about such things. i do not go anywhere without my chef or photographer. i am a professional skier and need to be healthy and recognized. i wax myself and never eat horse.
jim jason Nov 26th 2006 7:49PM
well said #8. they have beem eating that way since day one, and some call it barbaric, we eat at mcdonald's don't we,?????? enough said.
Melanie Nov 26th 2006 7:51PM
I think the reason we don't eat horse in America is because they are raised as pets. They are considered a tasty treat in other countries. I have horses of my own and I in no way condone horse slaughter but when in Rome do what the Romans do. Most of America's unwanted horses go to slaughter in Canada to be eaten in Europe, all the others die of starvation because their owners don't feed them anymore and that makes slaughter and feedlots look 100% humane.
Roger Nov 26th 2006 7:57PM
I'm taking a Pop-Tart out of the microwave. I am so over 'beef' or whatever the hell it is/was.
Joe Nov 26th 2006 7:56PM
I agree with Nik. Although there are some "odd" things that other countries and cultures do or perform, I at least have enough of an open mind to respect it for what it is. I think we as Americans are just too ignorant. We can be force fed everything and believe wholeheartedly that is the "correct" way of thinking and lose our own beliefs in the process. How can we ridicule worldwide culinary arts, where we have McDonalds and Starbucks on every street corner? Why is it right to be a hypocryte??
Lou B Nov 26th 2006 7:55PM
What you eat, (that which is "normal to you"), has more to do with your region's food stuff availablity than with preference. And, the other determinent is, $$$.
In this land of plenty, most of us are fortunate enough to be chosey. It is unconscionable to be critical of others unless you have walked in their shoes, or had to sup at their table.
As someone once told me, "when you are starving even stones taste good."
Bill Nov 26th 2006 7:57PM
In the 60's while in the Army I spent time in Viet Nam, Korea, Japan, & Thailand. I've eaten dog, cat,
rat, & snakes. Sometimes u eat whatever the hell u can. I've also had all the "normal" American fare. If I had to rate the top 3 I'd say: Beef, Dog, & Venison.
The thought of eating a dog is repulsive to most people, as it still is to me, however it is really very tasty & served regularly in some countries!
Will Nov 26th 2006 7:57PM
I love all these hypocrites. If its wrapped in a plastic wrap and sitting in your supermarket its okay to eat. But if you have to be reminded that it was once a living breathing creature by seeing its head, or of it isn't a cow but some other animal, its barbaric.
neighhhhhhhhhhhh Nov 28th 2006 1:10AM
Different cultures different foods,so what.
Ray Nov 26th 2006 8:04PM
I agree that we must keep an open mind. I usually will at least try something as long as I feel that it has been prepared in sanitary conditions.
Hugh McManus Nov 26th 2006 8:06PM
Well eating horse is not for me, but when I was stationed in Guam and attended a big wedding, I thought the food tasted great and very exotic. Later I learned I was eating Fruit Bat (wing span of 3 ft and better). So I guess if you don't know what goes in your mouth your ok. lol. Bye the way, in Guam they have Bat hunting season as we have deer season here.