Bull testicles
A dish of bull testicles, often deep-fried and served as an appetizer.
Jurfeld · CC BY-SA 4.0
Bull testicles—called Rocky Mountain oysters, mountain oysters, prairie balls, or, in Canada, prairie oysters (French: *animelles*)—are a dish prepared from the testicles of bulls. After being skinned, the organs are often coated in flour, salt, and pepper, sometimes pounded flat, and then deep-fried. They are typically served as an appetizer.
In Canada, where cattle ranching is common and young male animals are frequently castrated, the preferred name is "prairie oysters," and they are served in a demi-glace. In Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle, they are often called calf fries. In Spain, Argentina, and much of Mexico, they are known as *criadillas*, while in Central and South America they are colloquially called *huevos de toro* ("bull's eggs"; *huevos* is also Spanish slang for testicles). Other terms include "cowboy caviar," "Montana tendergroins," "dusted nuts," "swinging beef," or simply "mountain oysters."
Though considered cowboy fare, the dish is most commonly found at festivals, among ranching families, or in certain specialty restaurants and bars. It is also available at some public venues, such as Coors Field during Colorado Rockies baseball games. Eagle, Idaho, claims to host the "World's Largest Rocky Mountain Oyster Feed" during its Eagle Fun Days (now held the second weekend of July). Testicle festivals also take place in Clinton, Montana; Deerfield, Michigan; Huntley, Illinois; Sesser, Illinois; Olean, Missouri; Severance, Colorado; and Tiro, Ohio. Virginia City, Nevada, holds a Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry in conjunction with St. Patrick's Day each year. The dish is sometimes served as a prank to people unaware of its origin, and many consider it an aphrodisiac.
The primary purpose of testicle removal is not culinary. In veterinary practice and animal husbandry, castration is common for controlling breeding, promoting skeletal muscle growth suitable for beef, and altering temperament.
Testicles from other animals are also eaten. The most common are lamb fries (not to be confused with lamb's fry, which is lamb liver), made from castrated sheep testicles. Pig testicles are used for "pig fries," and turkey testes are occasionally prepared as "turkey fries," sometimes called "short fries."
Quick Facts
- Region
- Western North America and South America
- Course
- Hors d'oeuvre
- Served
- Hot
- Main Ingredient
- Beef testicles, flour, pepper, salt
- Calories
- 182
- Serving Size
- 1 cup
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The dish is served in parts of Canada, where cattle ranching is prevalent and castration of young male animals is common. In Canada, the preferred name is 'prairie oysters,' served in a demi-glace. In Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle, they are often called calf fries. In Spain, Argentina and many parts of Mexico, they are referred to as criadillas, and colloquially as huevos de toro in Central and South America. Other terms include 'cowboy caviar,' 'Montana tendergroins,' 'dusted nuts,' 'swinging beef,' or simply 'mountain oysters.'
Reader's Guide
Bull testicles are a dish purportedly cowboy fare, most commonly found served at festivals, amongst ranching families, or at certain specialty eating establishments and bars. They are also readily available at some public venues, such as Coors Field during Colorado Rockies baseball games. The primary goal of testicle removal is not culinary; castration in veterinary practice and animal husbandry is common and serves purposes including control of breeding, growth of skeletal muscle suitable for beef, and temperament alteration. The dish is sometimes served as a prank to those unaware of the origin of these 'oysters,' and many people consider them to be an aphrodisiac. Similar dishes exist using testicles from other animals, such as lamb fries (from castrated sheep), pig fries, and turkey fries (sometimes known as 'short fries').
Did You Know?
- In Canada, the dish is called 'prairie oysters' and is served in a demi-glace.
- The primary goal of testicle removal is not culinary but rather for castration in veterinary practice and animal husbandry.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the dish commonly referred to as 'Bull testicles' or 'Rocky Mountain oysters'?
It is a savory appetizer made from the testicles of bulls, which are skinned, dusted with flour, salt, and pepper, and then deep-fried. In some preparations the organs are also pounded flat before they hit the oil.
What are the regional alternative names for this dish?
Depending on the country or state, it is called prairie oysters in Canada, calf fries in Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle, and criadillas in Spain, Argentina, and Mexico. In Central and South America you will also see the name huevos de toro.
How is the dish typically prepared before serving?
The organs are first skinned, then coated in a simple mix of flour, salt, and pepper, and occasionally flattened with a mallet for even cooking. They are finished by deep-frying until the exterior turns golden and crisp.
Where is this dish most commonly associated and enjoyed?
It is a staple of cattle-ranching regions in Canada, as well as Oklahoma, the Texas Panhandle, and Colorado in the United States. In Canada the preferred name is 'prairie oysters,' and the dish is often plated with a rich demi-glace sauce.
How is the dish usually served in restaurants?
It is most frequently offered as an appetizer or starter course. In Canadian establishments, a demi-glace is the traditional accompaniment, while in the American West it tends to be served plain or with a simple dipping sauce.
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