Whoa, Big Fella!

Well, whether you knew it or not, back in November, the US government lifted the ban on funding inspections for horse butchering.  What's that mean?  Basically it means that horse meat can be sold or served for human consumption in this country.

Now, before you go throwing up or chaining yourself to the gate of the nearest horse barn, don't worry.  Chances are you won't be seeing pony steak on your favorite restaurant's menu--at least not until there's a demand for it.

Chicago-area chefs were interviewed for an article in the Chicago Tribune about serving horse.  Most were open to the idea, but would refrain from putting it on a menu if they thought it would turn their patrons off. 

Still--as is the case with many kinds of food--the US is one of the few places in the world where eating horse meat is taboo.  In fact, according to the article, restaurants and supermarkets as close as Canada are selling it.

So what does horse taste like?  Some say it's a cross between beef and venison, with a slightly sweeter taste than either.  One chef in the Tribune article tried it when he was in Spain.

"I thought it was beef, with this wet hay flavor," he said. "If you walked into a meadow after it rained, that’s the only way I could describe the taste." 

Well, that doesn't whet my appetite.  But horse meat has more protein and less fat than lean beef.  So there are some health benefits. 

Would I try it?  Sure, why not?  I've tried alligator and ostrich and caribou.  Why not horse?  As long as the bridle's removed.