I really started liking Chicken gizzards, and since they are so cheap, I'd like to incorporate them into my diet more. In general, I am skinny, so their high protein will be good for me, and the fact that they are high in cholesterol doesn't really bother me so much. (Please do not relate to cholesterol in your answer.)
What does concern me is things I have heard about organ meat in general- that there may be a high buildup of toxins, or higher risk of dangerous infection. (Mad cow disease from cow brains, etc) Anyone know if I should be concerned with my gizzards more than with regular meat- and how concerned should I be?
2006-12-28 18:37:26 · 4 answers · asked by Zev S 2 in Health ➔ Diet & Fitness
I love gizzards too. I've been eating them all my life and as far as I know they're quite safe to eat.
Gizzards are secondary stomachs in birds, with a tough inner membrane surrounded by a muscle pouch. Since birds don't have teeth, they fill their gizzards with small stones which, with the help of the muscle, act as food grinders. So, as far as I'm concerned, they're much safer to eat than liver and kidneys who are the body's filters and can contain any toxic substance ingested by the bird or animal.
Without being a specialist on gizzards, I can say that as long as the rest of the chicken is healthy and you know that its meat is safe to eat, I don't see why there would be a problem with the gizzard. Hope it helps.
2006-12-28 19:07:10 · answer #1 · answered by Lilly F 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Organs in Chickens and other animals do the same job as in humans. The body should of released the toxins unless you had a sick animal being slaughtered and sold, in that case it wouldn't matter what part you ate. Now Gizzards since humans I dont think have them... hehheh I'm not sure it that organ stores any type of toxic substance... it should release them as well though. Chicken Fried Chicken livers and gizzards... yummy!
2006-12-28 18:55:00 · answer #2 · answered by funnyquirkyupbeat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I love gizzards too, and I don't think they can cause any health problems as long as you get your stock from a sure source. As long as you're sure the meat you have is clean, you cook it properly, and eat it in general moderation, then I think you'd be alright. :)
2006-12-28 18:48:14 · answer #3 · answered by starry01 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Clean the gizzrds (rinse and trim off any nastiness). Then cover with water in a saucepan with a little salt. Simmer for about 3 hours, till they are tender; don't boil them. You may need to add a little more water when cooking. Then drain the water off and add a little oil or butter to fry them in till they have a little sear on them. You don't have to fry them, that's just how my dad used to make them when I was little.
2016-03-13 23:09:43 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋