To ask what in the holy hell have I just been served?

[HashtagTeamRaven]

It looks like rat. Please tell me it isn't rat?
I've eaten many a strange thing in my day (I have a weird job that often requires me to) but feel like rat would be a new low.

For context, I'm in Russia and was served it by a non English speaking Housekeeper who I suspect doesn't like me much.

it's rat isn't it?

@mumto2babyboys that's rubbish, pigeon is lovely, I have shot pheasants, pigeon, all sorts over the years and it's for the neat, most definitely not for the sport. Pigeon is great to eat and there's plenty of meat on them, it's not like you shoot them at point blank range and shred them. They are vermin, but there's nothing wrong with eating them.

Pigeons have been farmed for centuries in britain - many stately homes still have dovecotes, that was to provide pigeonmeat. I do not know if they are farmed in russia, but if they were necking would likely be the kill method unless they gas/electrocute them in a vast industrial system?

Shooting pigeons is for pest control more than sport. They have large breast muscles for flight so good for meat yield.

Re weird presentation - its not that odd, theyve taken off the head, wings and lower feet and just left the meatiest bits. Pretty standard, same as a chicken except chickens have bigger and meatier wings so we eat them too.

lol you guys are such trolls. If pigeon tasted nice it would get mass marketed like chicken and turkey. They are also darker versions available such as black chicken but....

They are rarely sold in restaurants or online or anywhere and instead a controlled species to limit their breeding because no one wants to eat them or eat flying sewer rats

And that meat/poultry/vermin whatever it is; does not look normal in the slightest

mumto2babyboys a chef (via another poster) has already commented - read up.

Lower feet???

you can see the front feet which is why I question it and why such a long neck but little feet?

Why remove a middle portion?

Very odd, I've never encountered something presented like this so I do not know

Book a flight to Russia and travel around any city in the snow and ice in winter and then tell me it's not dirt poor and freezing because it is

I Have been to Russia and all the water was orange tinged from rusty pipes even in hotels and it is freezing cold

Russia is the world's largest country. it extends from Kaliningrad to the Bering Strait. I'm sure you went to a cold bit, but it's not as if all of it is cold all year round.

Definitely not pigeon or duck. I would guess quail

I have lived in Russia. Yes, there is extreme poverty, but there is also extreme wealth. Moscow is (or was recently) the world’s most expensive city to live in. It’s ludicrous to suggest everyone is ‘dirt poor and starving’.

Also pigeon is quite commonly eaten in the uk. I’ve had it in a restaurant (served much more appetisingly than the op’s picture).

@mumto2babyboys Pigeon is served in restaurants all the time. We've had it twice in the last month when eating out! It's not a scraggly pigeon from the London gutters when you eat it in a restaurant. Well I hope not 😁

Also, they sell it on Ocado https://www.ocado.com/webshop/product/Hampshire-Game-Pigeon-Breasts/209124011?dsrl=1126321&dssrl=1164972&ULPCAMPAIGNNID=52&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-Y-AorDc3gIVGuR3Ch0XXA7xEAQYASABEgLlUPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Also. Be grateful there were no claws, as seen on masterchef.

Definitely bird.

Woodpigeon is delicious.

Did it come with Mashed potatoes?

Russia is dirt poor and freezing so I don't believe they don't eat rats.

Yes, and when they can't catch a rat they just shoot one of the bears which randomly roam the streets. lused you are out of your mind. I can't believe people can be so ignorant.

@mumto2babyboys I’m sure Russian people living at the Black Sea, just across Turkey, would be quite amused with your updated climate review for their towns oh and just because you’ve been to (presumably Saint Petersburg as they have a massive issue with rusty pipes) Russia once, doesn’t mean you can generalise the biggest country in the world as dirt poor and eating rodents (any Russian would be disgusted by the idea, it’s definitely not part of a cultural tradition)

@MandalaYogaTapestry Iused didn't say that, she was quoting another poster!

Wow ~ been to St Petersburg in summer and it was plus 30. Went in winter and it was minus 30. Russia is vast with different climates in different areas, and different climates seasonally.

Was never fed rat or saw it for sale!

Sure - there is a massive disparity in wealth between rich and poor as there is in many parts of the world (India being the worst I've seen).

This thread is crazy. The stereotyping here is a bit sad. And the ignorance about food is eye-opening.

I can’t hoenstly believe people don’t think people eat pigeon! We’ve sold it in nearly every restaurant I’ve worked in, what on Earth?

I’m in the north and most pubs/restaurants but from game keepers, game is a big thing up here, perhaps it isn’t so much down south? God knows, I’ve been educated this evening!

OP, looks like quail but hoenstly after this thread I don’t think I’d have touched it either

If pigeon tasted nice it would get mass marketed like chicken and turkey.

mum2

You need to get out more.

Pigeons are featured on many many cookery shows, on menus and in my own local Yorkshire butchers.

Its not an unusual/poor/must be cannibals food you believe it is.

Definitely some sad reading on here, both in terms of stereotyping and food knowledge.

OP, if you find out what it is, do let us know!

I remember watching a TV programme about a family coming from the USA to London for the first time, someone told them everyone ate squirrel and everything they were served they got upset and said tearfully "but we don't WANT to eat squirrel!"