Taking Lambs To Slaughter

[flowerbug]

I might have been born in the dark, but wasn't last night. I had no plans what so ever of purchasing an animal to raise for meat without knowing if I liked it or not. But thanks for reminding me to look before I sheep, uh I mean leap. Oh, deer meat is one of our favorites. YUM! Alligator is also good as is goat, elk & antelope.

you'll be fine then. and yes, i don't assume people are going without thinking but in my days i've seen some rather tremendously good people make silly blunders on impulse and i also know some people without a lick of common sense.

 

[baymule]

You were the first person I thought of to get some from! It's local, home raised and I'd rather help a neighbor than some grocery store.

I have some in the freezer right now. AND you could come for a visit! We are 7 1/2 miles off I-20, just past Lindale, exit Highway 110

 

[Beekissed]

have you had venison or other game animals besides beef, pork, chicken, turkey, duck? it is stronger tasting, you can get hints of it in a gyros or go try it at a Greek restaurant before going through the expense of buying and raising the animals. i'm good with lamb, Mom won't have it.

It's likely you were eating a wool breed lamb. I've tried both and the hair sheep taste vastly different, especially when raised on grass only. The wool breed required a lot of garlic to mask the strong flavor whereas the hair sheep didn't have any strong flavor....very tender and sweet.

If I had only ever tried woolly sheep, I'd likely have never wanted lamb again...not a flavor I'd yearn for.

 

[seedcorn]

@Beekissed Did not know that about lamb. Just assumed difference between lamb and mutton. So what is Australian lamb?

 

[Beekissed]

@Beekissed Did not know that about lamb. Just assumed difference between lamb and mutton. So what is Australian lamb?

Basically they are just using that definition as a marketing gimmick, but it's just grass fed and finished lamb of any breed of sheep, but mostly woolly breeds.

Which Lamb is the Best: American, Australian or New Zealand? - LE CASSETTE

Lamb is a very subjective item. Many people feel that New Zealand or Australian is the best and others feel there is no lamb other than American and are willing to pay the premium price for it. Lamb from each region has its own distinguishing characteristics including flavor, size and price...

www.cafecassette.com

Difference between hair and wool taste:

In Texas, many producers look to hair sheep for tasty meat, hearty profits

By Madeline McCurry-Schmidt After years of drought and this summer’s heat wave, many Texas ranchers are seeking new ways to raise profits. In Burnet County, Texas, the county’s agriculture committee recently looked into the possibility of raising hair sheep—breeds that grow short hair instead...

www.asas.org

Though many people taste no difference between meat from hair sheep versus meat from wool sheep, McCrea said hair sheep meat can appeal to people who don’t normally eat lamb from wool sheep. Sheep with wool produce a wax called lanolin, which adds a distinct odor and taste to the lamb meat. McCrea said hair sheep meat doesn’t have that “greasy” quality.

And he's right about that....the grain finished wool breed I ate was so incredibly greasy and rank tasting compared to the lean and clean flavor of the grass finished hair sheep.

In most countries, as in America, it's considered a lamb when under a year old, after that it's mutton.

 

[flowerbug]

It's likely you were eating a wool breed lamb. I've tried both and the hair sheep taste vastly different, especially when raised on grass only. The wool breed required a lot of garlic to mask the strong flavor whereas the hair sheep didn't have any strong flavor....very tender and sweet.

If I had only ever tried woolly sheep, I'd likely have never wanted lamb again...not a flavor I'd yearn for.

if it is well trimmed of fat (the same with venison) i don't mind it at all. it is just different.

 

[baymule]

We ate a 3 year old ram and he didn’t taste strong at all.

 

[bobm]

Here is a tip for those that have issues in the taste of lamb /mutton .... serve the meat sizzling hot on a sizzling HOT steel plate. Don't be surprized if they ask for seconds or even thirds.

 

[ninnymary]

We never had lamb growing up because my mom didn't like the gamey taste. I've never bought any but have had it at restaurants. Sometimes it tastes gamey and sometimes it doesn't. I was at a nice restaurant once and told the waiter my experiences. He was a little snobbish and told me there was a difference in taste between lamb and mutton and assured me I would love their lamb. He was right. It was delicious and not gamey at all. It's interesting that at places where I loved it, they have all been italian restaurants.

Mary

 

[seedcorn]

What’s not to like at a decent Italian restaurant? Or. Mexican? Or steak house? Or seafood place?