We’re leaving boring foods behind and embracing rich and diverse meals this year. If you’re one to prefer a traditional chicken or turkey as your source of protein, it may be time to spice it up with a new bird – goose.
The goose is a female waterfowl; with the male bird known as a gander. Canada goose is not the most popular bird one would find on the dinner table, but it is a staple in some other parts of the world. Although geese have been hunted as wild birds for decades, there are species domesticated specifically for poultry meat.
What does Canada Goose Taste Like?
Canada Goose meat has a stronger flavor than chicken meat or turkey. The high levels of fat in Canada goose contribute to its distinctive taste. Some would say that goose is closer to red meat in appearance and taste than it is to turkey or chicken tastes.
Can you Eat Canada Goose Eggs?
Short answer; yes, Canada goose eggs can be eaten. In fact, many cookbook recipes call for goose eggs as ingredients. Eggs from a Canada goose taste pretty delicious and can be fried, boiled, or poached just like chicken eggs.
Goose eggs are much larger than chicken eggs; some even three times the size of chicken eggs. When cooking with recipes that call for chicken eggs, they can easily be substituted with goose eggs. The only thing to keep in mind is the size difference; if a recipe calls for 3 chicken eggs, 1 goose egg would do nicely.
What does a Goose Egg Taste Like?
The Canada goose taste is unique, and not something a person forgets too quickly. Similarly, goose eggs are more flavorful than chicken eggs. Goose eggs contain more fat, a richer color, and are heavier than chicken eggs.
Is Goose Nicer than Turkey?
So, should your turkey’s place on the dinner table be replaced by a goose? That decision is entirely up to you and your taste buds. One major difference between the two birds is the color of their meat – goose flesh is darker than a turkey’s. Turkey flesh is much less fatty than a goose, but the flavor from a well-prepared goose is rich and distinctive.
Which is Better to eat; Goose or Duck?
While ducks and geese are two very similar birds, the feeding habits of the two birds affect their tastes. Geese have a strictly herbivorous diet, while ducks can be carnivorous.
Duck meat pros
- Duck meat is leaner and contains less fat.
- Duck meat contains higher levels of essential nutrients.
- Duck meat allows for versatility in cooking.
Cons
- High in cholesterol.
- Lower quality from prolonged storage.
Goose meat pros
- Goose meat is a good protein source.
- Highly beneficial to overall health.
- Rich in essential vitamins; i.e. vitamin B.
- Packed with nutrients.
- Canada goose taste is distinctive.
Cons
- Goose meat is rich in nutrients and vitamins but is also highly fatty.
When cooked, both types of meat are tasty; but the reason why some prefer goose meat to duck meat and vice versa essentially boils down to acquired taste.
Is Goose Healthier than Chicken?
Goose and chicken are white meats and are considered a healthier source of protein than red meat. Both birds have their tastes and textures which lend to their distinct flavors. Although goose is not as popular as chicken, it is more common in countries like Canada, parts of Asia, and the Middle East. Goose meat contains higher levels of riboflavin and iron, while chicken is more packed with selenium and phosphorus.
Goose is an excellent source of protein, vitamins, important minerals like iron and zinc, and the skin is packed with amino acid glycine.
Chicken, on the other hand, contains significantly fewer calories than goose; 100g of chicken contains 114 kcal, while the same weight of goose contains 161 kcal. Chicken contains less fat than goose, and 2% more protein than goose meat –100g of chicken contains 23.2g of protein, while 100g of goose meat is enriched with 22.75g protein.
Read also: Can You Eat Frozen Salmon Raw?
Best way to cook Canada goose
Cooking Canada goose is not as difficult as some people would have you think. However, for a first-timer, it is best to follow a recipe to get that perfect Canada goose taste.
This recipe will walk you through the steps of roasting a goose to perfection. Prep time is 60 minutes, 100 minutes cook time, and total time for this recipe is 2 hours and 40 minutes.
Ingredients
- 8-pound goose
- Lemon juice (1 lemon)
- 1 garlic head
- Salt and pepper for seasoning
- ½ yellow onion (chopped)
- 1 tsp of dried thyme
- 2 pounds root vegetables (assorted; turnips, carrots, potatoes, parsnips, all peeled and chopped)
Begin by bringing your goose to room temperature if you have bought a frozen bird. Next, cut off the wingtips, giblets, and neck. Once this is done, use a sharp knife to remove the excess fat from the bird. You may keep this fat to be used later. There will still be some fat in the bird, so prick the skin with a needle; you’re not pricking the meat, just the skin. Give the goose a good rub down with your sliced lemon and season with the ingredients. Place in your 325 preheated oven.
Add your preferred roots to the bottom of the roasting pan after the bird has cooked for 20 minutes. After 40 more minutes of the goose cooking, carve out the breasts. Place the rest of the goose back in the oven and allow to cook for another 40 minutes.
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How to cook Canada goose Breast
Take the goose breasts you set aside in the recipe above and pat them. In a sauté pan, pour in some goose fat over medium-high heat and allow to heat up. Place the breasts skin-side down in the sizzling fat and press down. Allow to fry for 4 minutes and remove – they should be a rich brown color. Salt the skin and set it aside to serve.
What is the best goose to eat?
Meat lovers who enjoy the Canada goose taste would of course want to stick with their preferred bird. However, the Emden goose is the best breed of goose raised for consumption purposes. The snow goose and speckle-bellied geese are also excellent for eating.
