- Nutritional content of bull testicles
- Nutrients based on a 100 gram serving
- Mineral components
- Dishes made with bull genitalia
- Rocky Mountain Oysters or Prairie Oysters
- Breaded bull testicles recipe
- Bull cries in green sauce
- Other ways to serve bull testicles
- References
The bull testicles are eaten in many parts of the world, under a wide variety of culinary names. They are highly appreciated in China, Spain or Argentina. Eating animal genitalia dates back to ancient Roman times, when it was believed that eating the organ of a healthy animal could correct ailments and provide health benefits.
In Spain, King Ferdinand the Catholic, 53, married in a second marriage to Germana de Foix, 17, consumed bull's testicles or criadillas to obtain benefits in his virility.
Due to all these beliefs, the practice continues to this day, especially in Asia, where the genitalia of animals are considered aphrodisiacs.
The testicles of bulls, calves, lambs, roosters, turkeys, and other animals are eaten in many parts of the world, under a wide variety of culinary names. In Argentina and Spain they are called criadillas, in Turkey they are called “billur” and they are also a highly valued dish in Chinese, Iranian and Greek gastronomy.
In general and in different cultures, it is believed that eating bull testicles has aphrodisiac effects in both men and women but this is not scientifically proven.
Nutritional content of bull testicles
Nutrients based on a 100 gram serving
- Calories: 135
- Protein: 26 g
- Fat: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 375 mg
- Carbohydrates: 1 gram
Mineral components
- Sodium: 171 mg
- Potassium: 380 mg
- Iron: 6%
- Phosphorus: 26%
- Magnesium: 3%
- Zinc: 13%
The testes are promoted as an aphrodisiac because they are supposed to contain testosterone as well. However, they would have to be consumed raw to obtain the aphrodisiac benefit.
Bull testicles are a good source of lean protein, although they are very high in cholesterol. They are also a good source of zinc and low in carbohydrates.
Dishes made with bull genitalia
Rocky Mountain Oysters or Prairie Oysters
This dish was created by ranchers in the Rocky Mountain region. Some of the early ranchers to live in the West needed cheap food sources, so they experimented with different cuts of meat.
In order not to waste any part of the animal, they began to cook the bull's testicles on charcoal. Although they are commonly known as oysters due to their slimy appearance when raw, other names are used to describe the testes.
Examples include: cowboy caviar, prairie oysters, beef swing, Montana tendergroin, dusted nuts, bollocks, or pork chicken.
Rocky Mountain oysters, however, are the euphemism for ending all remaining euphemisms.
These types of "oysters" are typically found in the American West and Western Canada, where castration of young animals is commonly used to control breeding, stimulate the growth of skeletal muscle for meat, and regulate temperament, ie, make the animal less brave.
Although "Rocky Mountain Oysters" can be served sautéed, cooked, roasted, they are often peeled, coated in flour, salt and pepper, and deep fried. In Canada, bull testicles are typically served with a demi-glace and in the United States it is common for them to be accompanied by cocktail sauce.
Some people claim that Rocky Mountain oysters, served breaded, taste very similar to squid.
Breaded bull testicles recipe
- Bread crumbs
- Eggs
- Flour
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Paprika
- Salt and pepper
The criadillas are cut into slices, coated in an egg seasoned with salt and pepper. Then they go through the breadcrumbs which must be seasoned with paprika, garlic and pepper. They are fried in oil, which must be very hot. In the United States, they are served with French fries and mashed potatoes.
Bull cries in green sauce
- 1 Kilo of bull testicles
- One kilo of tomatoes
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 5 cloves of garlic
- A bay leaf
- 6 branches of coriander
- 2 onions
- Two spoons of olive oil
The kilo of criadillas is boiled over medium-low heat for about 30 minutes. Later they are removed from the boiling water and washed with fresh water. They are cut into medium pieces.
While the criadillas are boiling, the tomatoes are chopped and grilled with garlic and cilantro to taste. Then the roasted tomatoes should be blended until a uniform sauce is obtained.
In a frying pan, place the onions with the criadillas, with salt and pepper to taste and when the criadillas are golden brown, add the tomato sauce with coriander. You can add a little white wine or tequila.
Other ways to serve bull testicles
In the United States, as I have already said, bull testicles are generally served breaded and fried as an appetizer, under the name "Rocky Mountain Oysters."
Also, in Denver Colorado, there is even a beer made from roasted bull testicles mixed with hops, roasted barley and various types of malt.
In Canada they can be found served with a demi-glace, and the French have a recipe called "animelles de moutons frites," where the testicles are marinated with tarragon vinegar, herbs and onions before breading and frying.
There is a World Testicular Cooking Championship that is normally held in summer.
In Bolivia, a soup is made with the phallus and bull's testicles, it is believed that it has invigorating properties and is called "Viagra from Los Andes."
In Spain, criadillas are considered a true delicacy, in the north they are served as tapas, and they are usually prepared as sweetbreads or with a really seasoned vinaigrette or with a really seasoned vinaigrette.
In China, the testicles of various animals such as the dog, fox, pig and bull are eaten. They are a very popular dish and even in certain places they show the diners the raw testicles before preparing them to demonstrate their quality.
References
- Anderson, S. (2015). 11 Things You Didn't Know About Rocky Mountain Oysters. 2-25-2017, Recovered from thrillist.com.
- (2016). The Nutrition Of Animal Testicles. 2-25-2017, Recovered from diet-blog.com.
- N, Gadnim. (2015). Bull Testicle Health Benefits. 2-25-2017, Recovered from nogym.ne.
- Stradley, L. (2004). Rocky Mountain Oysters History and Recipe. 2-25-2017, Recovered from What's Cooking America, whatscookingamerica.net.
- Cárdenas, J. (2014). Bolivians have their natural "viagra": a soup with the virile member of the bull. 2-25-2017, Recovered from losandes.com.ar.
- Gates, T. (2010). 5 places to go when you have the urge to eat balls. 2-25-2017, Recovered from matadornetwork.com.
- Guillermo, R. (2016). Criadillas in green sauce. 2-25-2017, Recovered from allrecipes.com.