Fantasy nom noms

[kathleen_dailey]

An entry in Diane Duane's Tumblr, which featured a luscious-looking dish of braised lamb shanks, referred to shanks as "that best of cheap meat cuts [emphasis added], except maybe for shin." Oh, to be in Ireland. In Toronto, the price of domestic Ontario lamb shanks at independent butchers (here, here, or here, for example) means that, in my household, this humble dish is best reserved for major festivals and feast days. Nevertheless, I followed the link and saved the recipe. If and when I find that the feds have deposited the carbon tax rebate in my bank account as promised, maybe I'll spend the windfall on lamb shanks.

(All of that said, someone recently mentioned Awaze Halal as a potential source of lamb cuts. The shop offers both fresh meat and prepared dishes. Unbelievably, it's within easy walking distance. I'm going to check it out at the first opportunity.)

Comments

[senmut]

While our local grocers carry lamb / mutton occasionally, I am fortunate to have a direct-from-farm seller at our local farmer's market, who runs a little less pricy on better (cleaner?) cuts than the stores tend to sell. I grew up thinking farmer's markets were just eggs, produce, and crafters, but this one has direct sellers for mutton, beef, and sometimes exotics like bison or ostrich.

Still. lamb/mutton in the States tends to be expensive comparatively, as most places I've lived, if there's sheep raising, it's for the wool.

[kathleen_dailey]

Wow, you're very lucky to have a direct source for a local supply--and at a genuine farmer's market (not just a reseller of mega-agribusiness products).

I keep thinking that because Toronto is so multicultural, we should have a better and (somewhat) cheaper supply of lamb, mutton, and goat than we did, say, 30 years ago. If I had a car, I'd explore some of the neighborhood meat markets far away from the expensive inner city, where I might have better luck.