Rat-on-a-stick

Summary

Rat-on-a-stick, also referred to as rat kebab, is a dish or snack consisting of a roasted rat served on a stick or skewer.[1] The dish is consumed in Thailand and Vietnam.[2] Prior to roasting, the rat is typically skinned and washed, after which it is gutted to remove its internal organs and then roasted.

Barbecued rats for sale near Suphan Buri, Thailand

By country edit

Rat meat is considered by some people in South Vietnam, East and Northeast India,[3][4][5] and Thailand to be a delicacy. In recent times, its popularity has increased in both countries.[6][1] It is also served as a street food in these countries. Rat kebab became so popular it also started to appear in a number of elegant restaurants.[citation needed] Rat kebab is also a dish in some Cantonese recipes.[7]

Source of rats edit

According to a BBC report, the rats are wild, and caught by professionals using traps.[8]

In popular culture edit

Rat-on-a-stick has been consumed by contestants on the U.S. reality television show Survivor.[a]

On 14 March 2019, Vietnamese rat meat has been featured on National Geographic. [10]

In the movie "Demolition Man," Sylvester Stallone's character inadvertently orders a hamburger made of rat meat.

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ "Live larvae for lunch and rat-on-a-stick for dinner may be the reality for the castaways on CBS's hit show Survivor..."[9]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Shukla, Pragati (June 23, 2017). "Halloween Horror: Rat on a Stick". NDTV. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  2. ^ Molloy, M.J.; Duschinsky, P.; Jensen, K.F.; Shalka, R.J. (2017). Running on Empty: Canada and the Indochinese Refugees, 1975-1980. McGill-Queen's Studies in Ethnic History. MQUP. p. 323. ISBN 978-0-7735-5063-6. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  3. ^ "A royal 'Mughlai' feast at Delhi Masala - Times of India". The Times of India.
  4. ^ "This community is forced to eat rats and we are baking plum cakes for Christmas!". recipes.timesofindia.com. December 21, 2017.
  5. ^ "Rats in India are fed or become food, depending on where they live" – via www.youtube.com.
  6. ^ McFadyen, Siobhan (October 19, 2015). "Rice farmers rake in extra cash during harvest season". Daily Mirror. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  7. ^ Mitchinson, J.; Lloyd, J. (2008). The Book of Animal Ignorance: Everything You Think You Know Is Wrong. Crown/Archetype. p. 176. ISBN 978-0-307-44991-7. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  8. ^ "Rats on the Roast". 2012-02-14.
  9. ^ U.S. News & World Report. U.S. News Publishing Corporation. 2000. p. 37. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  10. ^ "In Vietnam, rats are a popular food—here's why". Animals. March 14, 2019. Archived from the original on March 6, 2021.

Further reading edit

  • Lyons, Rob (April 24, 2014). "Rat kebab? You doner wanna eat it, says Nick Clegg". Metro. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  • Denton, Oliver (July 31, 2013). "Man hospitalised after eating rat kebab". Metro. Retrieved July 7, 2017.

External links edit

  • Street Eats, Cambodia: Mangosteen or Rat on a Stick?. Thefriendlygiraffe.com