Offal facts for kids
Offal refers to the internal organs and other parts of an animal that are eaten. These parts are sometimes called variety meats or organ meats. The word "offal" does not mean a specific list of organs. What counts as offal can change depending on the culture or region. It usually includes most internal organs, but not the muscles (meat) or bones.
Some cultures do not eat offal at all. Others eat it often, or use it to make special dishes. Some offal dishes, like foie gras (a rich duck or goose liver paste) and pâté (a spreadable paste), are seen as fancy foods. Other offal dishes are part of traditional meals, especially during holidays. Examples include Scottish haggis, Jewish chopped liver, and Mexican menudo. Animal intestines are often used to make the casings for sausages.
Sometimes, offal can also mean parts of an animal that are thrown away after it is butchered. It can also refer to parts of grains like corn or wheat that are left over after milling. Offal that is not eaten by humans or animals might be turned into things like fertilizer or fuel. It can also be added to pet food.
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What is Offal?
Offal is a term for the parts of an animal that are not muscle meat. These include organs like the heart, liver, kidneys, and brain. It can also include parts like the tongue, tail, and even blood. People around the world have eaten offal for thousands of years. It is often a good source of vitamins and minerals.
Offal Around the World
Many cultures have special dishes made from offal. These dishes show how different people use all parts of an animal.
Traditional Offal Dishes
- Haggis is a famous Scottish dish. It is made from a sheep's heart, liver, and lungs. These are mixed with oatmeal and spices, then cooked inside the sheep's stomach.
- Chitterlings are pig intestines. They are popular in the Southern United States.
- Menudo is a traditional Mexican soup. It is made with beef tripe (stomach lining) and a red chili broth.
- Chopped liver is a Jewish dish. It is made from chicken livers, eggs, and onions.
- Svið is an Icelandic dish. It is a sheep's head that has been cut in half and boiled.
- Kokoretsi is popular in Greece and Turkey. It is made from lamb or goat intestines wrapped around seasoned offal. It is often cooked on a spit.
Fancy Offal Dishes
- Foie gras is a luxury food. It is made from the liver of a duck or goose. The liver is specially fattened to make it very rich and smooth.
- Pâté is a spread. It is often made from liver, like chicken or duck liver. It can be served on bread or crackers.
- Sweetbreads are not sweet at all! They are the thymus gland or pancreas of an animal, usually a calf or lamb. They are often pan-fried or grilled.
Why Do People Eat Offal?
There are several reasons why people eat offal.
- Nutrition: Many offal parts are packed with nutrients. For example, liver is very high in iron and Vitamin A.
- Taste: Offal can have unique and rich flavors. Some people enjoy the different textures and tastes it offers.
- Tradition: Eating offal is a long-standing tradition in many cultures. It is a way to honor the animal and use every part.
- Cost: In some places, offal can be cheaper than muscle meat. This makes it a good option for families.
Images for kids
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An uncooked small haggis
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A serving of smalahove at Voss, Norway
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Pieds paquets, a regional specialty of Marseille and southern France
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Andouillette from Troyes on sale at a charcuterie in Montmartre, Paris
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Kokoretsi on a spit
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Peruvian anticuchos
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Typical Zimbabwean meal, with sadza, greens, and goat offal 'Zvinyenze' in Shona. The goat intestines are wrapped around the stomach before cooking.
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Chinese lou mei, with pig ears (left), and jellyfish (right)
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Deep fried pork intestines from China
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Motsunabe is a hot pot of offal.
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Phá lấu as served in Vietnam
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Tripe bag stuffed with bone marrow from Nepal
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Indonesian goat's liver satay
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Padang style fried cow lung from West Sumatra, Indonesia
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Soto babat, spicy tripe soup.
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Gulai otak, Indonesian cattle's brain curry
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Deep fried crispy chicken intestines as snack
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Sisig is made from pig snout, ears and brain.
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Isaw is a popular street food that is made from skewered chicken or pig intestines.
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Kare-kare is a stew made from oxtail and tripe.
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Dinuguan, a stew made from pig's blood, varies per region.
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Sai mu thot, deep-fried pork intestines, here served with spicy nam chim (Thai dipping sauce)
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The sauce of kaeng tai pla is made from fish innards
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Aep ong-o a northern Thai dish of chopped pig's brain mixed with egg and a Thai curry paste. It is wrapped in banana leaves and grilled
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Sa nuea sadung is a northern Thai "salad" of semi-raw beef cuts, including sliced stomach. This particular version also contains nam phia, which are the contents of the first stomach of a cow
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Kuaichap is a Thai Chinese noodle soup containing intestines and liver
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Yam hu mu is a spicy Thai salad made with slices of boiled pig's ears
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See also
In Spanish: Casquería para niños
