Rabbit Offers Nutrition & Variety

Popular in soups, stews and other dishes where that leanness doesn't result in a dried out meal, rabbit is on the menu in many countries around the world. It is difficult for some to get past the "cute bunny syndrome" - and it's true that bunnies are cute. The rabbit is an animal that serves as pets as well as livestock.

Rabbit is also high in Vitamin B12, Niacin, Iron, Phosphorus and selenium, all needed for proper health and development. It is an all white fine grained meat and the USDA has stated domestic rabbit meat is the most nutritious meat known to man. It's easily digested and can be served many different ways. It's also a meat that can be raised in small areas, needing less land to provide food.

Young rabbit, called fryers, are about 1-1/2 to 2 pounds ready to cook. These may be used in many of the same ways chicken is, including fried. Larger fryers and roasters - slightly larger rabbits up to about six months - are best simmered in liquid to not dry them out. Sauces and seasonings make for a healthy and delicious meal.

Rabbit falls under a voluntary inspection from the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service. Like deer, elk, buffalo and game birds, rabbit is handled under the Agricultural Marketing Act. Despite some marketing claims, usually to generate a higher sale price, no artificial hormones are used in the raising of any rabbits. If a rabbit should get sick, antibiotics may be given but there is a withdrawal time before they can be used for meat. For fryer rabbits, they generally are young enough to not be treated for anything.

Like other meats, defrosting rabbit should be done in the refrigerator or cold water. Leaving at room temperature can invite bacteria as with other foods. When grilling, roasting or braising (cooking in a small amount of liquid) make sure the rabbit pieces are thoroughly cooked to an internal temperature of 160F. Like other meats, refrigerate leftovers within two hours and use within a few days.

Several wonderful dishes can be made with rabbit. Grilled rabbit, beer butt rabbit and Sweet & Sour Rabbit Oriental Salad are just a few recipes highlighting rabbit meat.

The American Rabbit Breeders Association also has a rabbit cookbook available with 1001 ways to prepare rabbit.

Because of the small size rabbit can offer a meal with few leftovers for a small family. They're economical to raise, healthy to eat and a tasty change from the more common meats. Try some rabbit - you might be surprised! It's good and good for you!