Food; young domestic pigeon, typically under four weeks old
For other uses, see Squab (disambiguation).
Pigeon chicks, approximately twenty days of age
In culinary terminology, squab is an immature domestic pigeon, typically under four weeks old,[1] or its meat. Some authors describe it as tasting like dark chicken.[2]
The word "squab" probably comes from Scandinavia; the Swedish word skvabb means "loose, fat flesh".[3] The term formerly applied to all dove and pigeon species (such as the wood pigeon, the mourning dove, the extinct-in-the-wild socorro dove, and the now extinct passenger pigeon,[4][5]) and their meat. More recently, squab meat comes almost entirely from domesticated pigeons. The meat of dove and pigeon gamebirds hunted primarily for sport is rarely called "squab".[4]
The practice of domesticating pigeons as livestock may have originated in North Africa; historically, many societies have consumed squabs or pigeons, including ancient Egypt (still common in modern Egypt), Rome, China, India (Northeast),[6] and medieval Europe. Although squab has been consumed throughout much of recorded history, it is generally regarded[citation needed] as exotic, not as a contemporary staple food; there are more records of its preparation for the wealthy than for the poor.
The modern squab industry uses utility pigeons. Squab farmers[7]
raise the young until they are roughly a month old (when they reach adult size but have not yet flown) before slaughter.
^"Game Birds". All Q'd Up. 2014-06-23. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
^
For example:
Lachiusa, Dean (8 November 2021). Adventures in Historic Cures: Amusing Home Remedies, Anecdotes, and Definitions. Dean Lachiusa. Retrieved 16 September 2023. A domesticated pigeon that reportedly tastes like dark chicken.
^"squab". Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (11th ed.). 2004. p. 1210. ISBN 978-0-87779-809-5. Retrieved 27 August 2009.
^ abCite error: The named reference pigeon was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^OED gives earliest known usage in 1640 as a young bird, in 1694 as a young pigeon.
^Saikia, Arani (2013). "Food habits in pre-colonial Assam". International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention. 2 (6): 1–5 – via Academia.edu.[permanent dead link]
^
United States Department of Agriculture (August 1967). Squab Raising. Farmers' Bulletin, Issue 684 (revised ed.). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
In culinary terminology, squab is an immature domestic pigeon, typically under four weeks old, or its meat. Some authors describe it as tasting like dark...
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swellfish, toadfish, toadies, toadle, honey toads, sugar toads, and sea squab. They are morphologically similar to the closely related porcupinefish,...
Phil Hayes - Power Pooch Terry Klassen - Maurice Squab Maurice LaMarche - Mooch, The Emperor, Mr. Squab, The Narrator and Doctor Hydrant Scott McNeil -...
The Squab Farm was a comedic play about the film industry staged on Broadway in 1918. It was written by Fanny Hatton and Frederic Hatton, and staged at...
de pollos y pichones (chicken and squab pastry) was made as a savory pie with alternating layers of chicken and squab with a picadillo of minced veal,...
(Columba livia). The breed is known for its large size and suitability for squab production. The breed also has a variety bred for exhibition purposes at...
called squab. Squabs have been used as a food in many nations for centuries. They were bred to breed and grow quickly. Because they are bred for squab production...
provide the squabs (baby pigeons and doves) with milk uncontaminated by seeds, which the very young squabs would be unable to digest. The baby squabs are fed...
(Columbia livia). The breed is known for its large size and suitability for squab production. The Giant Runt was developed by crossing the original Runt with...
express the crest gene differently depending on its genetic heritage; two squabs from the same brood descending from the same pair may have one bird develop...
Squabs and Squabbles is a 1919 American silent comedy film featuring Jimmy Aubrey and Oliver Hardy. Jimmy Aubrey as Jimmy Oliver Hardy as The Boss (as...
but also includes guinea fowl and squabs (young pigeons). In R. D. Crawford's Poultry breeding and genetics, squabs are omitted but Japanese quail and...
meat, squab and tortoise meat. Popular dishes include duck with white gourd, duck with laixak and duck with bamboo shoot. Duck meat and squab are also...
are similar in appearance. The species is generally monogamous, with two squabs (young) per brood. Both parents incubate and care for the young. Mourning...
salmis. Typical salmis preparations involve roasted game birds such as squab or duck. In these preparations it is typical to enrich de-fatted roast drippings...
replacement breeding stock. The meat of pigeons is customarily referred to as squab and is considered a delicacy in many parts of the world. Examples of utility...
stew made in various forms Pastilla, a meat pie traditionally made with squab (fledgling pigeon); today often made using chicken Bread made with traditional...
strongly sexually dimorphic. The species is generally monogamous, with two squabs (young) per brood. Both parents care for the young for a time. Habitats...
eel, and other fish. Poultry was kept in special yards, with pigeon and squab being reserved for the elite. Game was highly prized, but very rare, and...
Shoofly pie Sklandrausis Smulpaj Snickers pie Southern tomato pie Spanakopita Squab pie Stargazy pie Steak and kidney pie Steak and oyster pie Steak pie Strawberry...
BCE, to the Old Babylonian period, a clay tablet containing a recipe for squab was found, written in Akkadian cuneiform. No measurements, cooking times...
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