June 18, 2013
Throughout the world, people have consumed unusual life forms for centuries, even millennia, which many folks might find appalling. Insects, dogs, snails, snakes, raw meat, animal organs, even the dorsal fin of sharks are only a few of the tantalizing dishes.
Sausage, salami and hot dogs made from assorted parts of beef, pork, chickens, and other common animals are stocked in many international grocery stores. But camel sausage?
Jassim Albastaki’s Cafe2Go in Dubai now sells camel-meat hot dogs. As reported yesterday by contributing writer Hugo Berger in The National, Abu Dhabi’s daily newspaper, Albastaki explained, “It was a big challenge with the camel meat. The meat is a little tough. For a hot dog, it requires special techniques and recipe to have what we call marshmallow meat. We have to mix the meat with the fat from the camel hump, than go through certain procedures for a soft consistency.” A patented secret?
Camel meat has been a main food staple of desert nomads since the beginning of recorded time. Camel milk, which is rich in potassium, iron, and vitamin C, may be found in many grocery outlets throughout the world today. I consumed both camel meat and camel milk while living in Abu Dhabi, UAE, from 2007-2009 and found them to be quite tasty. However, I’ll pass on the insects.
More often than not, a hamburger is created from a cow, not a pig. A hot dog is not created from a dog. But, voila, a camel hot dog says it like it is. Chow down.
StephenCBurton 