Goose is a traditional Christmas turkey substitute full of flavour and has a rich, dense texture. Although it contains a lot of fat, most of it is under the skin rather than in the meat, so it melts and bastes the breast during cooking, keeping it juicy. Because of the extra fat layer and the fact that it is bonier, a goose will feed fewer people than a turkey with a larger rib cage. Look for a plump goose with a good layer of fat beneath its pale, unblemished skin. Check the bird’s bill for an indication of its age: if it’s flexible, it’s young. Organic or free-range geese raised traditionally are the best.
Goose goes well with fruit, whether as a sauce or relishes on the side or part of the main dish. Goose meat is dark, flavorful, and succulent. It has a flavor and texture similar to duck but with a slightly less cloying flavor. Goose, like turkey, has seasonal connotations, but due to the availability of farmed geese, they should be available outside of the winter season from butchers and some supermarkets.
Goose Meat Nutrition Facts
What is Goose Meat?
The meat of a large bird in the Anatidae family is known as the goose. While goose meat is not widely available in the United States and the United Kingdom, it is widely available elsewhere. In many European countries, such as Germany, goose meat is the centrepiece Christmas dish. Goose is also very popular in the Eastern world, especially in China and Hong Kong. Goose meat is far more flavorful than chicken or other poultry.
On the other hand, Goose meat has a more robust flavour than the darkest parts of chicken meat. Goose also has a higher fat content than chicken, contributing to its delicious flavour. Goose is more flavorful and similar in appearance to red meat options than chicken and turkey.
How to Cook a Goose?
Goose, unlike turkey and chicken, can be served slightly pink. Keep the temperature low because the legs take much longer to cook than the breast. Although the legs will well do the breast meat, the fat layer will keep it moist and prevent it from drying out.
Ingredients
- One goose, about 5kg
- Two onions halved
- One orange halved
- Two bay leaves
- 1 tbsp rapeseed oil
Instruction
- Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Remove all the fat from inside the bird and, using the point of a small knife or skewer, prick the skin all over, including under the wings and around the legs. Sit the goose in an empty sink and slowly pour over 2-4 kettlefuls of boiling water. The skin will tighten and become glossy. Leave to cool, then pat dry.
- Stuff the goose with the onion, orange, and bay. Rub all over with the oil and season generously with salt. Sit the goose on a rack in a large roasting tin and tightly cover it with a large piece of foil. Cook for 1 hr 30 mins.
- Remove from the oven, remove the foil, and use oven gloves to lift the rack (and the goose) out of the roasting tin. Pour all the fat from the tin into a bowl and set aside. Sit the goose back in the tin, cover with foil, then roast for 1 hr. Remove the foil and return the bird to the oven for 15-20 mins to brown the skin. Transfer to a large board or platter to rest, uncovered, in a warmish place for 30 mins.
What are the Health Benefits of Eating Goose?
Here are some health benefits of eating goose:
Muscle Health
Protein is required for muscle coordination and contraction. Microfilaments and muscular structures both contain it. Protein in sufficient quantities aids muscle growth. It is necessary for maintaining the balance between muscle protein breakdown and synthesis.
Bone Health
Phosphorus is essential to maintaining healthy teeth and bones. Along with calcium, it forms strong bones. It promotes tooth enamel and gum health. It provides relief from the ailments such as osteoporosis. It promotes overall health. Phosphorus is associated with heart health that helps to prevent the chances of cardiovascular ailments.
Transfers Oxygen
Iron carries the oxygen and transfers it from one cell to another. Iron is essential for every organ in the body to perform the day to day functions.
Healthy Hair and Skin
Vitamin B5 is essential to maintain healthy skin and its appearance. It slows down the chances of premature aging, such as age spots and wrinkles. The study shows that Vitamin B5 is vital for hair pigmentation and prevents the loss of colour.
Lowers Cholesterol
According to research, copper appears to help lower bad cholesterol while increasing good cholesterol. It lowers the risk of cardiovascular problems like strokes, heart attacks, and atherosclerosis.
Strengthen Immune Power
Vitamin B6 is necessary for the immune system to be restored, and it aids the body in fighting infections. In the absence of Vitamin B6, the body may become vulnerable to infection.
Supports Digestion
Vitamin B3 is essential to perform the normal functions of the human digestive system, and nerves promote a healthy appetite and enhance glowing skin.
Brain Functions
Zinc has been shown to affect mental function in studies. Zinc and Vitamin B6 work together to support neurotransmitter function. Extra zinc is necessary for people who have been injured, and zinc aids the body’s healing abilities.
Where to Buy Goose Meat?
Goose meat can be harder to find than more traditional poultry options such as chicken or turkey. However, some supermarkets/large grocery stores sell it. If you can’t find goose in your local area, a quick online search should bring up some local stockists. Numerous online sources will deliver.
Is Goose Meat Similar to Turkey?
The colour of the flesh is one of the most noticeable differences between these two birds. The goose is juicier than a turkey, and its dark, succulent flesh has its distinct rich flavour. The turkey’s flesh has a more subtle flavour and contains far less fat than a goose’s, making it a drier but equally delicious bird. The weight of the flesh on each bird must also be considered. It’s reasonable to assume that a 5kg goose and a 5kg turkey will feed the same number of people. Not at all. Due to the amount of fat on a goose that melts as it cooks, the turkey will feed nearly twice as many people as the goose. A 5kg goose should feed six to eight people comfortably, whereas a 5kg turkey will feed far more. The geese raised at Peach Croft Farm are fed a natural diet and are raised in a stress-free environment.
The Homewood family, who owns Peach Croft, believes that their customers should have a stress-free experience, just as their geese do. Their turkeys and geese are packaged in a carry-home box with instructions and tips on how to prepare the perfect festive bird and the most delectable celebratory meal.
