All Things Goat

Where are you from?

NJ — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 15:53:13 +0000

Goats have accents is the finding of a recent study published in Animal Behavior after scientists studied the vocalizations of pygmy goat kids. According to NPR, the study found that kids modified their calls to match those of the herd around them regardless of whether it was their herd of birth.

Shawarma

NJ — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 15:00:09 +0000

Shawarma in a Middle Eastern sandwich similar to gyros.

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

2 lbs Goat meat, sliced very thinly
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp ground allspice
1 tsp ground cardamom
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 C yogurt
1/2 C vinegar (var: lemon juice)

Mix all the ingredients together in a non-reactive bowl and marinate 1-8 hours to taste. Drain and discard any excess marinade.

Broil: Heat an oven broiler to high. Spread the meat evenly in a single layer on an ovenproof pan. Set 4-6 inches under the broiler flame and broil until cooked through, 5-8 minutes. Stir halfway through to cook evenly.

Grill: On high heat or hot coals, spread the meat in a grill basket and grill until cooked through, 5-8 minutes, turning occasionally.

Serve inside folded pita bread or on lavash bread with a dollop of tahini, yogurt, tzatziki or cacik sauce or garlic mayo, garnished with tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, onion or pickles.

Interspecies love

NJ — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:46:14 +0000

KUNMING, China –

Changmao and Chunzi are in love. Even though Changmao hasn’t been completely faithful, and his dalliance led to a separation last year, all is now forgiven and, in true romantic style, the two were slated to be married on Valentine’s Day.

Wedding clothes were gathered, the vows prepared and the tickets sold. Tickets sold? Well, sure, because when a goat marries a deer at a Chinese zoo, it’s only right to sell tickets.

Stand by your Ram - photo by AFP via BBC

Who doesn’t enjoy a good love story?

Easy mini goat cheese balls

NJ — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:44:10 +0000

Recipe by Sherri Logan Williams of Florida and found here.

Ingredients

8 oz goat cheese
4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
1/3 C chopped fresh herbs (parsley, basil, oregano etc…your choice)
1 Tbsp lemon zest
1/2 C walnuts, chopped & toasted
1-2 Tbsp black sesame seeds, toasted
1 tsp granulated garlic
1 tsp granulated onion
salt and pepper to taste
1-2 Tbsp olive oil, extra virgin (for hands)

Directions

Place herbs, sesame seeds and nuts in 3 separate bowls.
Combine cheeses, garlic, onion, lemon zest, salt and pepper into a mixing bowl, mix.
Coat your hands with olive oil.
Roll mini balls in the palm of your hands.
Roll each ball into whatever bowl you desire.
Chill for at least 1 hour.
Serve with toast points, salami, fresh veggies, olives or on salads.

Olympic goat population up 40%

NJ — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:23:24 +0000

OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK, Wash. –

Since 2004, the mountain goat population in Olympic National Park, and surrounding Olympic National Forest, has increased by 40% and, according to a Peninsula Daily News story, that trend is expected to continue.

The non-native caprine inhabitants are spreading as well as increasing their numbers. This may be good news for hunters and lovers of goats, but is a cause of some concern for others. You’ll recall that Olympic is where Bob Boardman was killed by one of those very goats while hiking.

As if the baby needed any help

NJ — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:31:15 +0000

At least he was polite

NJ — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 19:21:42 +0000

ZION, Kentucky

Sometimes you go to take out the trash and you find a strange goat in the road.

Now That’s One Brave Guy

Protecting Portugal’s goats

NJ — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 18:55:40 +0000

With the reintroduction and laws protecting Portugal’s wolf population, farmers are looking for ways to better protect their goat herds. For generations, livestock guard dogs were an integral part of farming operations and according to the BBC it looks as though they’ll be making a resurgence.

Why goat meat

NJ — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 12:33:10 +0000

The Washington Post has an article about goat meat that covers all the bases. We couldn’t have said it better ourselves, so go on over at read it first hand.

The Cubs’ billy goat curse

NJ — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 16:29:11 +0000

While it’s common knowledge in Chicago, I just learned about this. My sister is going to an event in Chicago for the weekend. I’ve recently had baby goats born and they are semi-famous on the internet due to both of us posting photos on a popular social media site. So yesterday I made the remark that she should take a baby goat with her so all of the internet friends she’s meeting with can see one in person. She looked at me like I was nuts and told me that a goat wouldn’t fare well in Wrigleyville (where the Cubs stadium is for those who aren’t aware).

This morning she sent me a link that explains the Cubs’ curse of the billy goat. Those baseball fans are a superstitious lot. However, after reading it and attempting to take it seriously for a minute or two, I believe I’ve come up with a way to break the infamous curse and restore respect for Midwestern goats as well as allow caprine sports fans a nice outing.

Wrigley Field needs to schedule a Bring Your Goat to Baseball Day. Goat herders for miles around can bring their goats to see a game, regain their rightful place in sports history and break the evil curse. Plus what goat doesn’t like a little popcorn? Good plan, huh? Someone get on that.

-NJ

Mile high goats

NJ — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 15:54:45 +0000

DENVER, Colo. –

On April 18th, the Denver City Council will be debating the issue of whether to allow backyard animals within city limits. The proposed ordinance would allow homeowners to keep eight chickens or ducks and two goats. While backyard enthusiasts are hopeful, some resident have concerns. The proposal would allow a chicken coop to be built within 10 feet of a neighbor’s property raising concerns about smells as well as disruptive noises.

More information can be found at KDVR’s website.

Goat deterrants

NJ — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 13:34:46 +0000

Want to keep the goats out of your roses? Get a tiger. Scientists in Australia have found that tiger manure, as well as other smelly things like rotten eggs, bone or blood, will keep goats and kangaroos away from plants.

They found that old goat carcasses were equally effective as well but were just as distasteful to the humans as the goats. Tiger manure was most effective when the tigers had been fed meat from the type of animals scientists were trying to repel.