If you are a fan of bird edibles, you may have questioned at least once about the edibility of the pelican
. This is not a thought that pops up in every human’s mind. But, for those who have considered eating pelican, you would probably love to know if it is safe for human consumption. So, can you eat pelican?
You can eat pelican meat. But most people won’t eat it cause of the taste. They have an oily, strong, dark, fishy flavor. You’ve got to be really desperate to want to eat a pelican.
What Does Pelican Meat Taste Like
This is where things get a little confusing. Since this is a subjective question, you know the answers are going to vary to some degree. No one expected the answers to vary significantly, with some people claiming pelican taste like fish while others disagree, saying it tastes like turkey.
Which answer do you believe? In all actuality, the latter seems to be a more accurate answer.
It is easy to see why people would describe pelican meat as having a fishy flavor. Since these birds live on fresh fish, it is very easy to make this assumption.
It may also be safe to compare this fish-eating bird with other fish-eating birds like the duck, kingfisher, puffin, and cormorant.
Duck meat has a tough, rich, salty, fatty flavor while kingfisher meat is described as being similar to lamb. Puffin meat, on the other hand, is similar to duck but with a softer texture.
Pelican Meat Nutritional Value
There is little evidence regarding the nutrients found in pelican meat. One particular study showed pelican meat to contain protein, which changed with diet.
The study did not focus on pelican meat nutrient but how the pelican’s body metabolized protein from several fish species, including catfish, carp, and orts.
Pink-backed pelicans have been the base of a very important vitamin E study. The pelicans were administered vitamin E in paste form over a 10-month period. At the end of the study, the pelicans’ alpha-tocopherol concentration levels increased by 28 percent.
The results showed the vitamin E paste was as or nearly as effective as the vitamin E capsules administered to several other bird species, including the flamingo and stork.
How To Prepare Pelican Meat Safely
Like all wild meat recipes, pelican meat should be cooked evenly and thoroughly. It is possible to follow other bird meat recipes as long as the instructions call for the meat to be thoroughly cooked.
Since pelican is bland meat, it is recommended to utilize a combination of spices. There are two main cooking preparation options – baking and deep-frying – pelican meat.
Deep frying and baking are two simple cooking methods for pelican meat. To add more flavor and texture when deep-frying, apply a generous coat of flour to both sides of the pelican meat, followed by a dash of salt, pepper, garlic, fenugreek, and oregano.
Replace the flour with a generous size pat of butter or canola oil when baking.
Pelican meat can also be safely prepared over an open fire pit. As long as the meat is cooked thoroughly and evenly, it should not pose a health risk for you or your family and friends.
Pros Of Eating Pelican Meat
Pelican meat is believed to be leaner than the meat of farm animals, such as cows, pigs, and chickens. It does not contain harmful antibiotics like processed chicken and other meats.
Cons Of Eating Pelican Meat
The biggest con of eating pelican meat is it contributes to the declining population. Unlike alligators, snakes, deer, and turkey, hunting is not needed to control the pelican population. Know the laws and always pelican hunt legally.
