# Serving animal dishes with the head attached...ewww...why? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 17, 2021, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serving-animal-dishes-with-the-head-attached-ewww-why/933156 "2021-02-17T19:40:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serving-animal-dishes-with-the-head-attached-ewww-why/933156/21 "2021-02-17T22:53:06Z")
In Mexico “[cabeza](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabeza)” is a common taco filling. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serving-animal-dishes-with-the-head-attached-ewww-why/933156/22 "2021-02-17T22:58:45Z")
Some people can’t even handle fish with the heads left on. I remember when a friend and I were about to grill some whole fish and our wives wanted no part of it. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serving-animal-dishes-with-the-head-attached-ewww-why/933156/23 "2021-02-17T23:16:20Z")
And let’s not even get started with “[head cheese](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_cheese)”. Sorry I even mentioned it. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serving-animal-dishes-with-the-head-attached-ewww-why/933156/24 "2021-02-17T23:30:24Z")
> [@themapleleaf](#): > > We all know that when we eat meat, we’re actually consuming dead cow, sheep, chicken, etc. But why would anyone not remove the part that reminds us of this fact? Lol at “Trigger warning”. If we all know meat is animals, why do we have to pretend it’s not or fear being reminded of that fact? ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serving-animal-dishes-with-the-head-attached-ewww-why/933156/25 "2021-02-17T23:36:01Z")
[[Album] imgur.com ![](https://i.imgur.com/L1NCq6L.jpeg?fb "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/a/iLlWc4j) ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serving-animal-dishes-with-the-head-attached-ewww-why/933156/26 "2021-02-17T23:36:47Z")
Since my FIL stopped hunting, I don’t get much exposure to head-on-carcass meat, other than a rare pit BBQ or various seafood dishes. However, one advantage that hasn’t been touched on yet is that there is a ton of flavor to be extracted after the meat is gone. I’ve made duck stock with the bagged neck and would have used the head if attached. If I make whole fish, that head after roasting/saltcrusting/etc is definitely being added to my bone bag for fish/seafood stock. Would I go out of my way to get ‘head-on’ meat for this purpose? No, but considering the stores charge you $2.99/lb for soup bones, I’ll take what I can get if it comes my way. Especially during this cold weather, my stockpile (pun intended!) of homemade stock and broth is a wonderful comfort. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serving-animal-dishes-with-the-head-attached-ewww-why/933156/27 "2021-02-17T23:37:11Z")
> [@Oredigger77](#): > > My wife can’t deal with food that looks like animals including serving her a roasted duck with the head and the love legs removed but the wings still whole. Love legs? ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2021, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serving-animal-dishes-with-the-head-attached-ewww-why/933156/28 "2021-02-18T00:08:24Z")
I avoid eating food that looks back at me. That’s why I don’t eat black-eyed peas. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2021, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serving-animal-dishes-with-the-head-attached-ewww-why/933156/29 "2021-02-18T00:43:52Z")
Lower. I need to start proof reading my posts. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2021, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serving-animal-dishes-with-the-head-attached-ewww-why/933156/30 "2021-02-18T00:45:11Z")
Note: don’t invite OP to traditional Xmas feast in Puerto Rico. Main course is whole spit-roasted pig, head to tail in its full glory. And no way the dogs are getting at any of it until everything suitable for people has been taken from it. Of course as a child growing up in a small country town, I saw early on what putting meat on the table meant to the creature composed of said meat (a very, very lousy day). I suppose it’s not for everyone but can’t help imagine that I’d want my kids to know and own it if they are to eat meat. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2021, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serving-animal-dishes-with-the-head-attached-ewww-why/933156/31 "2021-02-18T00:46:41Z")
> [@Oredigger77](#): > > Lower. I need to start proof reading my posts. Thanks for the clarification, I too was thinking that this might be something I did NOT want to know about ducks. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2021, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serving-animal-dishes-with-the-head-attached-ewww-why/933156/32 "2021-02-18T00:50:58Z")
I’ve seen defeathered duck heads for sale in Asian markets. Might as well use it all, I guess! ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2021, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serving-animal-dishes-with-the-head-attached-ewww-why/933156/33 "2021-02-18T01:00:32Z")
Don’t even have to go to Mexico, here in Chicago there’s a number of places that specialize in “tacos de cabeza.” And come holiday time it’s not unusual to find whole pigs heads at the supermarkets ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2021, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serving-animal-dishes-with-the-head-attached-ewww-why/933156/34 "2021-02-18T01:05:56Z")
Fish heads are delicious. In my family, the head of the household always had first dibs on the fish head. And I love sucking on shrimp/prawn heads. They are served with heads because they’re good that way. Abs chicken feet are yummy too. If I’m eating the wings and the legs and the breast, how are the feet any different? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2021, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serving-animal-dishes-with-the-head-attached-ewww-why/933156/35 "2021-02-18T01:07:45Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > And let’s not even get started with “[head cheese](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_cheese)”. > > Sorry I even mentioned it. I’ve started on that many times. And finished it. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2021, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serving-animal-dishes-with-the-head-attached-ewww-why/933156/36 "2021-02-18T01:08:48Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > I too was thinking that this might be something I did NOT want to know about ducks. [Link](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eptxn0jVgAE25_l.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2021, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serving-animal-dishes-with-the-head-attached-ewww-why/933156/37 "2021-02-18T01:08:52Z")
I’ve never actually tried chicken feet. Many Jews hold that it isn’t real chicken soup if it doesn’t include the feet. Re Mad Cow Disease It appears I was wrong. sorry ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2021, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serving-animal-dishes-with-the-head-attached-ewww-why/933156/38 "2021-02-18T01:17:13Z")
I grew up with head cheese. I think the flavor is fine. Slap a bunch of mustard on it, put it on some rye bread, and I’m good. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2021, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serving-animal-dishes-with-the-head-attached-ewww-why/933156/39 "2021-02-18T01:25:34Z")
Post 17. I’m an ardent defender of head on flavor. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2021, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serving-animal-dishes-with-the-head-attached-ewww-why/933156/40 "2021-02-18T04:43:10Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > My old college roommate and I, for example, are not bothered by this but when we together cooked dinner one Christmas for my family we did remove the head of the roast because we knew some of the other people present would have issues with it. When you say roast I’m picturing a cut of beef. It would be very, very unusual to see a cow’s head attached to a roast at most Christmas dinners. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serving-animal-dishes-with-the-head-attached-ewww-why/933156.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serving-animal-dishes-with-the-head-attached-ewww-why/933156.md?page=3)