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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 4 of 10)
Kim Nov 26th 2006 8:07PM
Has anyone here stopped to think that maybe, JUST MAYBE to the people in Kazakhstan think that what we eat is disgusting and "barbaric." I'/m sure if you venture into Africa the foods that they eat there would make you vomit. I'm just so happy to be living in a country of PERFECT PEOPLE who, apparently, think the rest of humanity must live by their standards.
In Spain a pigs testicles are considered a delicacy, and contains the same societal standard that's comparable to our caviar. People must live by their means, and what they have available. In Kazakhstan, those foods are their societal norm, as cow, chicken, and pork are our societal norms.
Why are you people so blind to think that other people eat other foods and find our foods to be a little, or completely, repulsive.
Why don't we act civilized and realize that these people love their food, as we love ours, and please people.....IT'S JUST FOOD!!!
michelle Nov 26th 2006 8:07PM
Wow, anyone who thinks these practices are "barbaric" is completely closed minded. In some countries, I'm sure they'd think that the amount of cow americans consume is disgusting. What's wrong with eating horse instead of cow? They're both big animals.
I personally don't like the thought of looking at the head of any mammal that I may be consuming, but I'll gladly eat lobster, shrimp, crawfish, etc. with the heads attached, and sometimes I will even eat a whole fish. What's the difference? It's all what you're used to.
Vivi Nov 26th 2006 8:12PM
Nothing wrong with horsemeat. Had a very nice lady who use to raise Siamese cats for sale who use to raise the cats on horsemeat. She also ate horsemeat instead of our more conventional steer or 'cow' meat.
eleni Nov 26th 2006 8:12PM
i agree with almost everyone
al brodeur Nov 26th 2006 8:15PM
why do the americans think that having horsemeat is awfull? we eat beef but in india the cow is sacred also in thailand and cambodia dogs are ediable too some have to have a black dog for dinner to fight off a cold how about kangaroo meat its all whatever the local costoms are who are we to tell anyone that they cannot eat what ever
al brodeur Nov 26th 2006 8:14PM
why do the americans think that having horsemeat is awfull? we eat beef but in india the cow is sacred also in thailand and cambodia dogs are ediable too some have to have a black dog for dinner to fight off a cold how about kangaroo meat its all whatever the local costoms are who are we to tell anyone that they cannot eat what ever
Ken Brandon Nov 26th 2006 8:13PM
Horse meat, like all meats is delicious as long as it comes from younger animals. Just as vegetables(you know, young and tender) You don't ride a cow so it's alright to eat it? Grow up and eat with your taste buds, not your imagination.
Bobonanda Nov 27th 2006 12:39PM
fishh is not a vegetable "pesci=vegetarian"?
DUH
Dick Nov 26th 2006 8:16PM
Everyone says YAK to this or YAK to that as to what they eat When you are starving the best is what is put in front of you. Horse was a delicacy to meat during WWII and only on the blackmarket. So who is the first to complain in line. Well who else ,those that enjoy good oral sex Grow up folks
eleni Nov 26th 2006 8:19PM
everyone has a point so i agree with everyone
JPuzzleWhiz Nov 26th 2006 8:18PM
Anyone who eats a horse's head is a HORSE'S ASS !!!
Joyce Nov 26th 2006 8:17PM
I think most of the comments are very foolish. You do what you are acustomed to. We are conavors, and what ever there is we will do if we are hungrey. Grow up and smell the coffee.
John Nov 26th 2006 8:20PM
Americans crack me up.... If it is not what YOU are used to, it is WRONG!!! Well, let me tell you what, I have literally been around the world more than once. I have eaten what was for dinner in every country that I was in, and enjoyed about 98% of it. I have knowingly and yes, eagerly, tried everything that was served in almost all of the different countries I was in. I have eaten dog, monkey, cat, rat, horse, goat, burro, octopus, whole squids, balut, and some things that I didn't even recognize. But, it was all good. The first return to the states was the worst heartburn I ever had, from a Big Mac. Thought I was gonna DIE! Wake up and accept that other cultures are different! People in India think we are barbaric for eating cows. Chew on that!
Debi Nov 26th 2006 8:23PM
One word......VEGETARIAN
Linda Nov 26th 2006 8:23PM
While at school in southern France we had horsemeat frequently -- I must say I enjoyed it. Perhaps we had a good cook; I found it tasty and delicious.
Mary Nov 26th 2006 8:22PM
Horsemeat still sounds far more sane than McDonald's burgers, which can be comprised of parts of hundreds of different cattle from half a dozen countries, all ground together in a quest for "one taste, worldwide"...and then frozen for months, and then served to us when we have a big mac attack. Thats pretty scary from an infection control perspective.....
Mel Nov 26th 2006 8:23PM
American culture is just that - "American." People from other cultures and countries have different habits, y'all. If you can't be flexible, don't travel. But also don't judge. I spent two weeks on the Dnieper River in Ukraine. If you wanted to eat, you didn't ask too many questions. Food is certainly better in the good ole USA, but it's a nice feeling to know that you can make it anywhere and not be critical or a wussy.
Nancy Jenkins Nov 26th 2006 8:25PM
I was raised very poor as a child. We ate whatever meat my brothers could bring home. Fish, raccoons, possum, rabbit, bear and fish. When my mother was hurt by a pressure cooker blowing up in her face, we ate fried mush for six weeks, 24/7. Yes, I have ate horse, cow, sheep, goat and chicken and enjoyed every bite. Yes, I'm a bred and born American. I accept food tradition from other countries, the other countries probably find some of our eating habits gross also.
emma Nov 26th 2006 8:25PM
Everyone is saying that this is barbaric and different from eating cow, but it's what you grew up eating that you find "normal". I don't think it's any worse than eating a cow, its all barbaric if you really think about it. I am a born and bred American vegetarian.
janice Nov 26th 2006 8:31PM
DISGUSTING!!!! That's all I have to say!