Squab

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Squab is a young domestic pigeon, typically under four weeks old. Pigeons bred for meat are generally called squab and are harvested from young birds, mostly utility pigeons. Pigeons grow to a very large size in the nest before they are fledged and able to fly and in this stage of their development they are called squabs and are prized as food. The meat is close in taste to dark chicken meat. Squabs are raised until they are roughly a month old, that is when they reach adult size but have not yet flown, and that is when they are best for consumption. Usually considered a delicacy, squab is tender, moist and richer in taste than many commonly consumed poultry meats, but there is relatively little meat per bird, the meat being concentrated in the breast. Squab is dark meat, and the skin is fatty resembling that of a duck. The meat is very lean, easily digestible, and “rich in proteins, minerals, and vitamins”. It has been described as having a “silky” texture, as it is very tender and fine-grained. It has a milder taste than other game, and has been described as having a mild berry flavor.