BajaNomad - Burro BBQ...wowie

Burro BBQ...wowie

shari - 1-4-2009 at 08:54 AM

So we were sitting around Timo's campfire all feeling rather content when my favorite builders pulled up(bajagypsies shed makers)...also feeling obviously "content"....

some gabachos "not in the know" got that worried look on their faces when mexicans show up in a pick up....but I just grinned cause these guys always bring great happiness wherever they go.

So they jump out with a big plate of something and being the non intrusive people they are....they kinda milled around the outskirts of the party. I managed to haul myself out of my comfy beach chair and greeted them with New Years hugs and handshakes. Roberto handed me the plate and said he remembered me saying I wanted to try this sometime.

Their family are ranchers and raise the best meat...pigs, cows and ummm.....burros! I had never tried fresh burro before and OMG...it was the best meat I had ever tasted...I love wild game and duck is my favorite but this BBQ'ed burro was absolutely delectable...the ribs were outstanding.

It is one of those....dont knock it till ya try it type foods. It may not be politically correct in the north but it is a favorite down here and now I understand why....better than lamb even....I think Vagabundo got some photos of amigo Gary chowing down some ribs.
So if you ever have a chance to try it...make sure ya do. I just cant believe I have lived here so long without ever eating it but plan to order much more of it in the future. New Year...new food.

DENNIS - 1-4-2009 at 08:59 AM

Boy oh Boy, Shari.......Sounds good. Next time you're up this way, we'll try to cajole Kathleen to cook up some Mr. Ed on the barby. :biggrin:

vandenberg - 1-4-2009 at 09:15 AM

Shari...
I'm always up for trying something new, especially chow.
But where would you get burro ? Never seen it in any market.
Is it something only available at the ranches ? and if so.... someone knows which ones ?

As an afterthought.
Never able to get them as roadkill. They're too smart to get caught by a speeding bus or 18-wheeler. :biggrin:

[Edited on 1-4-2009 by vandenberg]

shari...save some for me.

Pompano - 1-4-2009 at 09:35 AM

Burro is muy delicious ...been eating burro tortas from vendors on Mulege streets for muchos años. Became very popular right after the highway traffic increased with the new road.

A good vendor is at the Y most nights.

[Edited on 1-4-2009 by Pompano]

msteve1014 - 1-4-2009 at 09:39 AM

years ago I had friends in an off road racing club that would "adopt" a burrow from the BLM each year for a BBQ at Christmas. probably not the best idea these days.

capt. mike - 1-4-2009 at 09:39 AM

is a burro a donkey? i.e. cross between a mule and a horse?
or how does this work again?

shari - 1-4-2009 at 10:10 AM

a local rancher here raises them for food as do many ranchers in the area and it is saved for the VIP's which is always the family and close friends!!! Fabulous unique flavour, tender, sweet...just really unbelievable.

Here is a public apology to dear redmesa who wants to start a burro reserve so they dont get eaten....suerte amiga.

Iflyfish - 1-4-2009 at 10:20 AM

Gotta get my burro down there for some of those ribs! Diver has a recipe that would knock your socks off.

Iflyfish

astrobaja - 1-4-2009 at 11:19 AM

Hey Shari

That sounds really awesome I would totally try Burro if given the chance!
We live in rancher country and probably could get some if we asked around.
Flavor wise plain old beef is kinda bland, much better goat or lamb.
I heard that in Italy the best type of salami is made with donkey meat!!

Earlier this summer we visited our vecinos at Rancho Meling they had just killed their pig and were making FRESH cicharones! The died out ones you get at stores are so unlike fresh ones, especially with a little meat still on them, y un poco limon y salsa! Afterwards the fat from the pig was rendered out and later used to make flour tortillas! Nothing is wasted on the ranch!!

Mike

--Mike

LancairDriver - 1-4-2009 at 03:13 PM

What the hey! There must be some macho dieter with Dog and Snake eating recipes to top the Burro chow we can hear about.

Cypress - 1-4-2009 at 03:30 PM

Down here in the marsh country burro might make good gator bait.

shari - 1-4-2009 at 03:30 PM

while I havent tried dog. snake is a really tasty meal when roasted over a campfire in the desert...dont knock it till ya try it.

vandenberg - 1-4-2009 at 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LancairDriver
What the hey! There must be some macho dieter with Dog and Snake eating recipes to top the Burro chow we can hear about.

Sacramento's eastern foothills being major rattlesnake country, have caught quite a few of the creatures.
They make good eating, prepared various ways. BBQ'd, in Casseroles, a la Cacciatori, etc. Since they're rather bony with not much meat to them, I recommend a healthy 4 footer per person. :saint:

bajalou - 1-4-2009 at 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by capt. mike
is a burro a donkey? i.e. cross between a mule and a horse?
or how does this work again?

No Mike

A Mule is a cross between a burro or donkey and a horse. Mules cannot reproduce.

Bajafun777 - 1-4-2009 at 07:27 PM

Have deep pitted burro in the past as a large party got too large and all the beef was seasoned up but still needed more, sooooooo out came the burro that a guy wanted to donate in. We put in the ground and yes it was sweet but I still prefer beef any day of the week. Now, snake does not taste like chicken and I would take barnyard buzzard over snake any day. I did not like snake not that it had a real distinct flavor it just did not taste like something I would ever want seconds on. I do not like duck either, but Elk, squirrel, antelope, goose, phesant, and quail. Deep pitting of most types of animals is greattttttttt!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Later---------bajafun777

capt. mike - 1-5-2009 at 08:13 AM

ok, thx i get it - a burro or donkey is a stand alone animal species - of the equine family?

Oso - 1-5-2009 at 08:35 AM

Can't remember the name but there is an old oater with Clark Gable and Jane Russell with a scene where they are stranded in deep snow country and provisions have run out. Gable saves the lives of the party by preparing "Missouri Elk" (mule).

rbwrivers - 1-5-2009 at 10:04 AM

Did someone say BBQ?

nancyinpdx - 1-22-2009 at 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rbwrivers
Did someone say BBQ?

How cute!

"I want a tall man, not a small man ..."

Skipjack Joe - 1-22-2009 at 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Oso
Can't remember the name but there is an old oater with Clark Gable and Jane Russell with a scene where they are stranded in deep snow country and provisions have run out. Gable saves the lives of the party by preparing "Missouri Elk" (mule).

From movie: Tall Man

Gable portrays an honest man tied to a small dream (home in Prairie Dog Creek) who fights and loves everything in sight on both sides of the Rio Grande...

mtgoat666 - 1-22-2009 at 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rbwrivers
Did someone say BBQ?

I guess when you eat burros it is an easy step to move onto eating dogs. I decline to eat either.

Graham - 1-22-2009 at 12:54 PM

Hard not to get too attached to the old fella...

But when the time comes... I just hate it when I overdo those ribs.

BBQ Burro.jpg - 32kB

shari - 1-22-2009 at 02:07 PM

very funny graham...hey have you tried burro meat at one of those ranches you visited? It is only served to guests of honour and thought you may have been offered it.

I' m sure you are all aware where the term "burritos" actually comes from.

Now about that doggie...I am a big fan of lengua and his looks pretty edible!...ewwww grosss

Barry A. - 1-22-2009 at 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by msteve1014
years ago I had friends in an off road racing club that would "adopt" a burrow from the BLM each year for a BBQ at Christmas. probably not the best idea these days.

Sounds like a great way to end up in the Fed. Penitentiary----------BLM Special Agents and Rangers audit "adopters" of BLM horses and burros, and prosecute any "wrong doing" vigorously.

Eating their pet burros is considered "wrong doing".

Good Luck.

Barry

Packoderm - 1-22-2009 at 03:29 PM

Having passed by many burros along the Baja highways, I can't say I didn't consider how one would cook up. However, I never thought that eating burro meat would be more that a filling meal in a pinch when beef or fish is not available. I thought of it falling somewhere in the range between Dinty Moore beef stew and vulture meat which I have pondered in the past but never scared one up. How much would a range fed burro cost off the highway? It wouldn't take long to fatten one up with corn if that is what they use. I wonder how kangaroos would fare if released into the Baja outback. Yummy.

fishbuck - 1-22-2009 at 04:32 PM

Sounds delicious! But please don't tell me I'm eating a$$ until I'm already done.

Graham - 1-22-2009 at 07:11 PM

Many a time when I've been enjoying Baja ranch hospitality I've been told that the machaca in my burritos was in fact burro.

Always tasted great to me, but then I was usually starving.
Thought it best to enquire no further.

Also when I had "Bonny" the burro on my 1980s trip, several fishermen offered to buy him "for machaca." I guess you can get fed up with fish and lobster.

Burro -- the other white meat! Bonny on the beach in Cabo San Lucas in 1985. :no:

Distasteful

Marla Daily - 1-22-2009 at 08:05 PM

Yes I find this thread distasteful—pun intended. Inherent traits of burros include intelligence, loyalty, stamina, sure-footedness, and soundness. Ask Graham about his travels with Mission (last seen happily chasing burritas in La Purisima.) Was he in your machaca?

Oh I get it—silly me—eating burro shows some measure of how exceptionally "culturally immersed" one is. There are plenty of dogs along the peninsula, and dogs are eaten in Asia. How about cooking up a few puppies and letting us know how puppy ribs taste. Anything like kitten?

It all comes down to a matter of personal choice in what you support.
To each to his own.

dtbushpilot - 1-22-2009 at 08:09 PM

Mmmmmmmm, puppy....much better than burro......Kitten, now you're talking.....tastes like chicken......Sorry, I've had too mant marguritas......dt

Humor

Marla Daily - 1-22-2009 at 08:46 PM

A sense of humor is a very particular developed sense of perspective that allows one to access joy even in adversity.

Packoderm - 1-22-2009 at 09:06 PM

How about...
...some monkey brain meat?

I'm sorry, but I had to edit the photo. It was completely out of line. :lol:

[Edited on 1/23/2009 by Packoderm]

encanto - 1-22-2009 at 09:24 PM

How can we criticize what people traditionally eat when we are their guests? I was served bear meat sloppy joes at a church pot luck last year in a part of the U.S.A. where game is often the primary meat available for po' folks.

If an animal is harvested (and/or raised) with respect, it is an honor to have someone share it with you.

Packoderm - 1-22-2009 at 09:52 PM

I didn't detect and criticism of what anybody eats. They only are making jokes about what seems funny to eat in our culture. I remember when I was young, and people made fun of escargot. We weren't criticizing - it just seemed funny. Other than the sacred animals and the amount of junk food we eat, I wonder what some other cultures think is funny about the animals we eat.

Graham - 1-22-2009 at 11:06 PM

Wow. Huge subject. Hard not to be misunderstood. Humor can bring joy and relief in times of stress and adversity.

And absolutely burros are amazing creatures... qualities of patience and loyalty that can bring tears to one's eyes. The months that I've spent with my pack burros have been times of terrific bonding... sometimes I have to laugh at myself when I get all choked up thinking of that attachment... and how donkeys figured so centrally in the lives of Jesus and Mohammed and many other spiritual figures.

So after what I've written and the respect I've shown, I kinda feel I can take liberties with the subject and enjoy a chuckle. I swear even my burros had a sense of humor... and could be as playful as puppies.

I think the following review sums up the relationship I had with Mision on my journey to Loreto.

"This wonderful adventure held this sentimental "ass" spellbound and joyfully teary-eyed from start to finish. We defy any reader to remain dry eyed while the author struggles manfully himself to keep too much sentiment from the closing pages as he has to bid his beloved burro farewell. As we travel with Mackintosh and Misión, we realize there is a lot more to a donkey than we could have ever known..." -- The Gringo Gazette

Definitely would have no interest in eating my buddy or any animal I befriended... If I had a jolly smart pet pig trained to sniff out truffles I'd probably be horrified at the idea of eating pig roast... well, then again, maybe not! I'm still a work in progress.

If the fishermen or ranchers are eating burro I'll write about it. Might be horrified but that's a fact of their culture. As is their often incredible kindness and hospitality.

[Edited on 1-23-2009 by Graham]

URBAN LEGEND

Marla Daily - 1-23-2009 at 09:01 AM

Burro is not a "traditional" Mexican food, but rather an uncommon exception. Nor do I believe the use of burro meat being served as an "honor" is anything other than urban myth. Yes it is eaten upon occasion, primarily of necessity, by people who have few protein-source choices.

shari - 1-23-2009 at 09:06 AM

The idea behind this thread was to share a bit of our culture in a small village. I apoligize if it is distasteful to some, or disrespectful...i intended no disrespect and am an animal lover who may just adopt a burro some day.

This particular burro had been ranch raised for meat... which are then only BBQ'ed on special occasions...it was an honour to be offered some by our dear friends and duly passed around the campfire for others to try. It wasnt meant to show anyone how cool we are or culturally immersed...it was simply a description of a food offering we accepted graciously and tried...and lo and behold...I and others found this meat to be absolutely delicious....which I thought to be worth sharing in case other nomads are offered this delicacy they may just want to try it.

I am proud to be immersed in the latino culture as it has taught me to be a better person....more open minded, kind, gracious, humble, polite, generous, careful, resourceful and fun....oh yeah and I forgot cool! :lol:

Is it such a bad thing to be culturally immersed??? NOT...

BajaBruno - 1-23-2009 at 09:42 AM

I am told that donkeys, asses, and burros are all the same critter. Burros are simply smaller versions of the common donkey. They are related to, but a different species from the horse, but can interbreed to create variously named sterile hybrids like the mule or hinny.

EnseNADAslim - 1-31-2009 at 01:09 AM

I'd love to see what PETA would do with this Thread--------
:no:

Aguas la Fiesta :no:

To close your mind to a set type of foods is kind of sad. Hek, we have high school kids come work with us from the States and they can't get past the dog sniffing around the taco stand as we chow down.
Long live da Burro Taco----although I've never had one it sounds good, and being a rib fanatic I'd love to give it a try.
Interesting Post!

ELINVESTIG8R - 1-31-2009 at 07:10 AM

I would never pass judgment on those of you who consume donkey meat. I just could not do it. I remember as a kid using them as pack animals in the mountains of Chihuahua and found them to be loyal beasts of burden. I guess I just have affection for them. That includes mules too. Both the donkey and mule are the most sure footed animals when traversing mountain paths. Just look at this one’s noble face.

[Edited on 1-31-2009 by ELINVESTI8]

shari - 1-31-2009 at 08:30 AM

I agree with Encanto's credo...if it is raised/harvested and offered respectfully...it is an honour to accept a food offering. If I knew that a cute little burro was tortured....well, I wouldnt eat it then cause I'd be mad at the peole who did that.

But I think some are missing the point....it is not the poor people here who eat burro or turtle as these are delicacies...the pobre eat weiners and eggs.

sometimes our amigos will tell thier guests, it is deer meat and oh they love it...just so they dont turn their noses up at burro....tee hee.

Timo1 - 1-31-2009 at 08:33 AM

I know I sure enjoyed having the "deer" meat that evening
It was fantastic

Bajagypsy - 1-31-2009 at 09:20 AM

Having traveled in Asia, I'm quite sure that I have eaten dog, I remember thinking that the "Pet Stores" were so nice to let the dogs get fresh air in their cages. I so clued, in and stuck to salad for a bit.

I believe it is India where cows are worrshiped, they would think we are horrid for eating cow. Each culture has there own do's and don'ts of what to eat, who am I to judge?

Sorry I missed out on the BBQ, I'm sure I would have enjoyed it.

[Edited on 1-31-2009 by Bajagypsy]

Bob H - 1-31-2009 at 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajagypsy
Having traveled in Asia, I'm quite sure that I have eaten dog, I remember thinking that the "Pet Stores" were so nice to let the dogs get fresh air in their cages. I so clued, in and stuck to salad for a bit.

I believe it is India where cows are worrshiped, they would think we are horrid for eating cow. Each culture has there own do's and don'ts of what to eat, who am I to judge?

Sorry I missed out on the BBQ, I'm sure I would have enjoyed it.

[Edited on 1-31-2009 by Bajagypsy]

Well said! I would have enjoyed the BBQ that Shari was able to partake in. For sure!
Shari, thanks for this tread - it just goes to show the difference in culture around the world.

We have traveled all over the place and I'm sure we have had horse meat, dog, etc. and probably didn't even know it. When I was in Greece, several years ago, I learned that the kabobs I was eating was actually cat meat. Unknown to me at the time. It was fabulous!

Bob H