Sweetbreads Aren`t Sweet (or Bread) - Learn Stuff

The first time I can remember hearing the term sweetbreads was in reference to Hannibal Lecter. That makes sense if you know what they are. Not sweet, and definitely not bread.

Sweetbreads are considered offal (or awful if you ask me), which is meat from the organs of an animal (not muscle). Specifically, the term is usually used for the thymus or pancreas of cows and pigs. Sounds yummy, right?

A strange word for what it actually is, the name may have come from either brede (roasted meat) or the Old English brǣd  (flesh). Either way, it`s not my thing.

Many people disagree with me, as offal is enjoyed in different cultures all over the world.

Fancy French cuisine includes foie gras and other types of pâté, which are made from duck and goose livers. The Scots have haggis, which is a stuffed sheep stomach - also offal.

Even in the United States people regularly consume liver. In the South they have chittlins, which are made from intestines. Hungry yet?

In the Middle East it is very common to find things like brains and whole heads an other things I don`t consider edible at market. And let`s just say most Asian countries have quite a bit of animal organs on the menu.

Yes, Rocky Mountain oysters are offal too. No thanks.