Sweetbreads

[Jaybee]

Why does the myth that 'sweetbreads' are testicles persist, when it is made abundantly clear in every cookery book and dictionary that it is the culinary name for both the thymus gland (from the chest) and the pancreas?

[robber1]

Well, whadiyaknow! Looks like you are right. Google search result below; sweetbreads Prized by gourmets throughout the world, sweetbreads are the thymus glands of veal, young beef, lamb and pork. There are two glands ' an elongated lobe in the throat and a larger, rounder gland near the heart. These glands are connected by a tube, which is often removed before sweetbreads are marketed. The heart sweetbread is considered the more delectable (and is therefore more expensive) of the two because of its delicate flavor and firmer, creamy-smooth texture. Sweetbreads from milk-fed veal or young calves are considered the best. Those from young lamb are quite good, but beef sweetbreads are tougher and pork sweetbreads (unless from a piglet) have a rather strong flavor. Veal, young calf and beef sweetbreads are available year-round in specialty meat markets, whereas those from lamb and pork must usually be special-ordered. Choose sweetbreads that are white (they become redder as the animal ages), plump and firm. They're very perishable and should be prepared within 24 hours of purchase. Before being cooked, sweetbreads must be soaked in several changes of ACIDULATED WATER and their outer membrane removed. Some recipes call for the glands to be blanched to firm them, and refrigerated until ready for use. Sweetbreads can be prepared in a variety of ways including poaching, saut�ing and braising. They are also sometimes used in P�T�S and SOUFFL�S.

[incitatus]

Never sure on that. Testicles are called Fry when served as offal, or rognons blancs (white kidneys) in france. They arent bad, really.

[bernardo]

I'm going off on a tangent here, but I have always wondered why "sweetbreads" are a fleshy meaty thing, whereas "sweetmeat" is a bready cakey thing. Why not the other way round?