Among the first thoughts of spring are the foods that come along with it - asparagus, fiddleheads, and...er, goose - yes, roast goose! While Chinese BBQ roast duck is very common now in North American cities, roast goose is still hit and miss. We have a favourite eatery where we regularly visit in the spring and fall for this delicious dish, one up from the ubiquitous roast duck. I love it for its slightly gamey flavour and the thicker, firmer flesh. That first bite into the inch thick breast meat is a sensation that can't be put into words. This is no fancy eatery. Just a stall in the food court in Markham Place in Markham, north of Toronto. Goose is not readily available in the average Chinese restaurant without pre-ordering.
Here is an interesting set up. There are two BBQ takeout stalls side by side in the food court. Long lineup at one place, no lineup at the other. Instinct is to go to the one with the long lineup. But the first time we were there, we were attracted by the red sign that said in Chinese "Just in, fresh roast goose" and decided to take our chances with the stall with no lineups (not advisable generally). We were pleasantly surprised; in fact, we have become regulars at Van's, especially during goose season, which starts in the spring around May, goes on for a couple of months until the young goose supply is gone. The goose is plumper in the fall with even thicker flesh. The season finishes around early November. I have no clue how this jives with the breeding season of the bird but derived this just based on experience with disappointment when we would brave the weather to go up to Hwy 7 thinking of the roast goose only to be told by Van "that's it for the season".
We were up there looking for goose a few weeks ago and was told by Van to come back first week in May. Today, we had our first bite of goose in 6 months. It was worth the wait.
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| Van's BBQ Markham Place |
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| Van proudly showing off the goose |
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| Mmmm... |
Now it would be interesting to hear comments from readers about their experience with roast goose in other parts of the world, China, Europe, etc.
Blessed are the ones who eat young geese... I envy you.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately for people in many parts of the world geese are not readily available. Also, not that many people know that it is a seasonal food.
Thanks for your comment, Akujiki. I found this source on goose as food, you might find it interesting: http://www.foodreference.com/html/artgoose.html
ReplyDeleteDid you know that the U.S. is a large producer of geese and California one of the three main producers?
I hope you are at least 15 when you ate that roast goose. My mother told me in her village girls under 15 are not allowed to eat goose because there are certain toxins in the meat that their young bodies cannot deal with. I am a very mature male but my mother still insists goose is not good for me.
ReplyDeleteHere is the nutrition information on goose: http://www.fitday.com/webfit/nutrition/All_Foods/Poultry/Goose_wild_roasted.html
ReplyDeleteThe only thing I can see is the 425 calories in 1 cup! Plus the high cholesterol and the high potassium. Which of these do you think your mother was thinking of...
I think none of the above. My mom said the same thing that goose meat was "toxic". I had never eaten goose as a child. As an adult I have never eaten any tasty goose either. Really, you are lucky to have a deli man who cooks it only when it is in season.
ReplyDeleteMmmm... The goose toxin might be the explanation for rarecat being somewhat forgetful lately!
ReplyDelete世衛組織最新公布 2012版健康食品排行榜
ReplyDelete肉食榜冠軍：鵝肉
肉食榜：鵝肉、 鴨肉、雞肉
6年前，世界衛生組織的肉食健康榜上有雞肉、牛肉、袋鼠肉等6種。
今年，上榜的肉食竟只有鵝肉、鴨肉及雞肉。
鵝肉鴨肉的化學結構很接近橄欖油，對心臟健康有益。
A rough translation of the above : World Health Organization's 2012 Health Food List includes goose meat, duck meat and chicken meat only. Apparently, goose meat is the closest to olive oil in its properties and is good for the heart!!
Does that apply to goose skin, goose fat and foie gras too?
DeleteYou wish!
ReplyDelete