8 Things You Didn’t Know About Gizzards

8 Things You Didn’t Know About Gizzards

Gizzards are unusual, peculiar, and unconventional. But did you know that they’re also healthy, delicious, and cheap. I bet there are a lot of things you didn’t know about gizzards.

To enlighten you on the mysterious topic of gizzards, we have put together a list of 10 things you didn’t know about gizzards that is bound to have you serving gizzards at your next family dinner, or at least impressing your friends with trivia.

 

1) The Gizzard Is The Part Of The Chicken That Helps Them Break Down Food

Since chickens do not have teeth, they use abrasive materials like pebbles, grit, and sand, along with enzymes in the gizzard to break down large chunks of food.

 

2) They Are A Healthy Option.

Gizzards are packed full of protein. They also provide very important vitamins and minerals. In one ounce of chicken gizzards you will find 3% Riboflavin, 4% Niacin, 5% Vitamin B12, 1% Vitamin B6, 5% Phosphorus, 8% Zinc, and 16% Selenium.

 

3) They Are Relatively Inexpensive.

When it comes to saving money, chicken gizzards are the way to go. Often people forget about or discard the giblets of a chicken. That is wasting valuable nutrients that your body needs. You can purchase a pound of chicken gizzards for about $1.50.

 

4) Other Animals Have Gizzards

It might not surprise you but other poultry have gizzards too, like turkeys, ducks, fowl, emus, doves, and pigeons. A little more surprising might be that crocodiles, alligators, earthworms, some fish and crustaceans, and even dinosaurs have gizzards.

 

5) Gizzards Are Eaten Around The World, And Are Even Considered A Delicacy In Some Countries

Gizzards are a popular poultry dish worldwide. Gizzards are consumed in different inspiring and delicious ways on every habitable continent in the world. In some cultures, gizzards are even considered a delicacy, or are celebrated as part of a tradition. In Uganda, Cameroon, and Nigeria, the gizzard is traditionally set aside for the oldest and most respected male at the table.

 

6) There Are Many Ways To Prepare Chicken Gizzards.

There are endless ways to prepare chicken gizzards. Just to name a few; grilled, fried, boiled, broiled, pickled, curried, stewed, slow cooked, barbecued, or even as part of a soup.  

 

7) The Word Itself Comes From The Latin Word For Giblets.

The word “gizzard” has joined the English language after evolving over the years from Middle English “giser” which evolved from the Latin word “gigeria”, meaning giblets. In modern day English giblets include other parts of the chicken such as the heart, liver and kidneys, as well as the gizzard.

 

8) Gizzards Must Be Cleaned Out Before They Are Eaten

Since the gizzard’s primary function is in the digestive tract of animals involves it collecting and using sand, grit, and pebbles, it requires cleaning before eating. If not cleaned well, you may find some of the original debris used in the poultry’s digestion. If you buy prepackaged gizzards you likely will not have to clean them, but buying fresh gizzards from a butcher might be a different story.

 

You’re a gizzard expert now! Put your expertise to good use and make a delicious gizzard dish for dinner tonight.

 

With decades of experience, we are the leading experts on the gizzard production process. We hope that our expertise and insight in the industry continues the advancement and celebration of poultry consumption in today’s society. For more information about chicken gizzards, or to find out how DeLong’s Gizzard Equipment can help you, request a free consultation today or call us at (800) 422-9134.