5 Exotic Meats You Can Grill Tonight
June 29, 2012 - 10:00 am | PermalinkMcDonald’s just not cutting it anymore? Prepare to be shocked by 5 of the most mouth watering yet bizarre meats you can toss on the grill tonight!
Adventurous eaters have long been exploring the more exotic offerings of the world, and some of the things these big boys slap on the grill will blow your mind. We're not talking about ostrich or emu here either, those “exotic” meats are practically tame by comparison. These meats aren't all that hard to find either – all of the meats we'll be taking a look at today can be legally ordered online or from specialty butcher shops found in most major metropolitan areas. Are you ready to see what's cookin'?
Kangaroo
No, seriously. Kangaroo.
Those of us who don't hail from down under might find the idea of eating kangaroo more than a little weird. Weird, yet intriguing. Aren't you even a little curious what an animal with a pouch tastes like? These marsupials from Australia can weigh up to two hundred pounds. That's a lot of 'roo.
Fans of kangaroo say that the flavor is a bit like a blend of beef and venison, and warn newbies to never, ever overcook it. If kangaroo meat is prepared well done, it's going to turn out quite hard and chewy. The best way to prepare kangaroo loins or ground patties is rare to medium (Mmm, kangaroo burgers). The meat is also quite lean, which isn't surprising since these animals are known for being trained to box humans, and often contains only around 2% fat. Furthermore, kangaroos aren't “mass produced” like beef or pork, so you're almost guaranteed to get a hunk of meat completely free of growth hormones.
Lion
So majestic. So noble. So delicious.
The idea of eating meat from an animal that could totally murder you hard is an exciting prospect. Could you imagine being out there on the savannah, palms sweating, knowing that your prey could potentially have you for dinner instead? Mouthwatering. Nothing against the typical deer hunter or anything, but Bambi isn't exactly going to tear you to shreds. This is one of the reasons lion ain't cheap, but if you can afford it, expect a flavor somewhat similar to pork but with a twist that can only be described as “lion-ey.”
Lion meat can be found in a number of different forms including loin chops, whole leg, ground patties, and more. If eating a lion burger doesn't make you a man, what else will? The next time you bring a date over, serve up a plate of lion loin chops and put The Lion King on TV. If she stays, marry her.
Alligator
Alligator is another member of the “this food can kill you” club. Have you ever seen those shows on the Discovery channel where an alligator pops out of the water and absolutely destroys a young water buffalo? Watch a few of those and you won't feel even the slightest bit of remorse eating one of these river monsters.
Alligator is a white meat that has the texture of steak and tastes a little like chicken, but with its own distinct flavor – again, it's just one of those meats you have to try to really appreciate properly. Alligator cuts are usually lion chops and tail steak. Yes, the tail of a huge freaking lizard is on someone's dinner plate somewhere on the planet as we speak. As with most meats, you can also find it in ground patty form, making for another manly burger option. Alligator is also quite popular as sausage links, which can be handy if you feel the urge to make your breakfast as masculine as possible. Would you mess with a guy who eats alligators for breakfast?
Black Bear
As long as you didn't watch too much Winnie the Pooh as a kid, eating black bear shouldn't be too hard of a concept to swallow. The meat from these animals – which often weigh around 500 pounds – is known for being fatty, tender, and to some extent, a tad greasy. This makes it a popular component to hearty stews. If you're going to make black bear stew, you first have to wear something made out of flannel, grow your beard out, and only communicate through a variety of grunts.
It's not just good in stews though – black bear is excellent on the grill. Lion chops, steaks, and patties all make for a manly feast. Like most meats, bear shouldn't be overcooked. Enthusiasts report that medium rare will result in the most flavor, which is apparently superior to even the best venison.
Rattlesnake
The idea of eating a snake is strange enough, but eating one that was poisonous? Only the manliest of men need apply, of which there are apparently more than a few in the southern United States where this reptilian delicacy is quite popular. The main problem with rattlesnakes as food is that they are very, very boney creatures, as can be seen here:
Which is why when you seek out this meat that you try and find a seller who offers rattlesnake meat as boneless as possible. It might cost you a little more, but it will be well worth it.
As for the taste, it has been compared to alligator (which, for most of us, isn't exactly helpful). Try and imagine chicken, except that instead of being a bird, it was a reptile. That's rattlesnake. Most snake chefs will prepare rattlesnake chunks in a marinade before they hit the grill or a saucepan, which is meant to tenderize the meat as well as mask any remaining “gamey” flavor.
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