Episode 186: Exploring Organ Meats with Dr. Jonathan Reisman

Episode 186: Exploring Organ Meats with Dr. Jonathan Reisman

Author: Harvesting Nature May 15, 2024 Duration: 1:07:25
Summary: In this episode, Justin and Adam chat with Dr. Jonathan Reisman about hunting, cooking, and eating offal and organ meats. They discuss the incorporation of organ meat into diets and highlight the nutritional value of organs and the unique nutrients they provide. Dr. Reisman shares his journey into butchering and cooking organs, his passion for hunting, and how hunting has allowed him to explore various organ meats. They also address the myth that organs are dangerous to eat and advocate for the reintroduction of lung consumption, which is currently illegal in the US. The conversation emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with the source of our food and exploring traditional food consumption. They discuss different organs' unique textures and flavors, such as lungs, kidneys, and sweetbreads. They also touch on the importance of proper handling and care of organs to ensure optimal taste and safety. They discuss the need for better anatomical diagrams, education around organ meats, and the growing interest in nose-to-tail eating. Dr. Reisman also mentions his Anatomy Eats dinners, where he combines his knowledge of anatomy with culinary experiences. - Leave a Review of the Podcast - Buy our Wild Fish and Game Spices Guest: Jonathan Reisman, M.D., is a physician, author, and adventurer. His interests include anatomy, food, travel, nature, wilderness, and prehistoric crafts. He has practiced medicine in some of the world's most remote places, including Antarctica, Arctic Alaska, the Russian Arctic, the Himalayas of Nepal, rural Appalachia, the urban slums of Kolkata, India, and on Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. He is the co-creator of the anatomy-based dinner series Anatomy Eats, which explores human anatomy through cuisines worldwide using offal, internal organs, and other unusual body parts. Visit Dr. Reisman's website Visit Anatomy Eats Instagram Takeaways: Organ meat, such as liver and heart, is packed with nutrients and can be a healthy addition to one's diet. Social media platforms like Instagram are great resources for finding creative and innovative ways to incorporate organ meat into meals. There is a misconception that organ meat is dangerous to eat, but as long as it is not toxic, it can be consumed safely. The sale and consumption of lungs are currently illegal in the US, but efforts are being made to overturn this rule. Reconnecting with the source of our food and exploring traditional food consumption can lead to a greater appreciation for organ meat. Organ meats have unique textures and flavors that can be enjoyed properly. Proper handling and care of organs is essential for taste and safety. Hunting provides access to a wide variety of organ meats. There is a need for better anatomical diagrams and education about organ meats. Nose-to-tail eating is gaining popularity as people explore different parts of the animal. Anatomy Eats dinners combine anatomy education with culinary experiences. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Discussion of Organ Meat 19:31 Exploring the Nutritional Value of Organ Meat 25:04 Tips for Incorporating Organ Meat into the Diet 29:37 Misconceptions about Organ Meat 35:40 Advocating for the Reintroduction of Lung Consumption 36:14 Reconnecting with the Source of Our Food 36:24 Exploring the Unique Textures and Flavors of Organ Meats 44:09 The Importance of Proper Handling and Care of Organs 52:13 Hunting as a Gateway to Trying Different Organ Meats 59:28 The Need for Better Anatomical Diagrams and Education 01:05:02 The Rise of Nose-to-Tail Eating 01:05:44 Anatomy Eats: Combining Anatomy Education with Culinary Experiences Keywords: organ meat, nutrition, misconceptions, lung consumption, traditional food, organ meats, textures, flavors, handling, care, hunting, anatomical diagrams, nose-to-tail eating, Anatomy Eats Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Justin Townsend and the team from Harvesting Nature host Wild Fish and Game Podcast, a series that treats wild food as a starting point for much wider conversations. Rather than just a collection of tactics or recipes, this podcast digs into the entire cycle of bringing food from the landscape to the table and beyond. You’ll hear discussions that connect the act of hunting or fishing to the rhythms of the season, the specifics of a place, and the cultural traditions that shape our approach to harvest. Episodes move through every stage of the process-the pursuit, the careful work of butchery, the various methods of preservation, and finally, the cooking that turns ingredients into a meal. It’s about the craft involved in each step and how these skills integrate into a practical, meaningful lifestyle. The conversations often explore how these harvested foods are carried through real life, nourishing families and communities. For anyone curious about the depth and connectivity of a life centered on wild foods, this podcast offers a thoughtful, comprehensive look at a system that is as much about philosophy and responsibility as it is about sustenance. Tune in for a consistently engaging exploration of what it truly means to know where your food comes from.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Wild Fish and Game Podcast
Podcast Episodes
On the Ethics of Killing: The Moral Math of Eating [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:02
Summary: Explore the ethical considerations of eating and killing in the context of hunting, food production, and environmental impact. Blake Binford shares insights from his book 'On the Ethics of Killing: The Moral Mat…
Episode 271: The Wild Pantry, Part III - Dehydrating and Drying [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:52
Summary: Explore the ancient and modern techniques of drying and dehydrating food, its scientific principles, and practical applications in wild food lifestyle. Learn how to preserve, enhance, and utilize wild ingredient…
Episode 270: The Wild Harvest Report - April 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:09
Summary: A comprehensive overview of April's seasonal activities across North America, focusing on hunting, fishing, foraging, and cooking wild foods. The report highlights regional differences, key species in season, an…
Episode 269: Wild Game Is More Than Protein [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:59
Summary: This episode explores the full value of wild animals beyond just protein, emphasizing traditional and cultural uses of all animal parts, including fat, marrow, organs, and connective tissues. It highlights how m…
Episode 268: Wild American Foodscapes - Newfoundland [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:02
Summary: Justin and Adam explore Newfoundland's unique food landscape shaped by environmental constraints, historical fishing practices, and cultural resilience. From wild fish and seal to the impact of ecological manage…
Episode 267: What If the Grocery Stores Didn’t Open Tomorrow? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:28
Summary: Explore the fragility of our food systems and the importance of community resilience. This episode examines historical and modern disruptions to food supply, the interconnectedness of grocery stores, and how hun…
Episode 266: The Wild Harvest Report - March 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:04
Summary: The March Food for Field Bulletin discusses the seasonal shifts in hunting, fishing, and foraging across North America, highlighting the transition from winter to spring. It covers regional variations in wildlif…
Episode 265: The Wild Pantry, Part II - Salting and Curing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:59
Summary In this episode, Justin Townsend and Adam Berkelmans explore the ancient art of food preservation through salting and curing. They discuss the historical significance of salting, the science behind how it works,…
Episode 264: Wild American Foodscapes - Hawai'i [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:12
Summary Justin and Adam are joined by several guests for a conversation exploring the intricate relationship between food and culture in Hawaii, emphasizing the historical significance of traditional practices, the impac…