Dove meat, also known as squab, has been consumed around the world for centuries. Doves are a type of pigeon that are hunted or farmed for food. While not as common as chicken or beef, dove remains a part of the cuisine of many cultures. However, there is some debate over whether it is safe and ethical to eat dove meat. This article will explore the pros and cons of eating dove to help you decide if it is okay for you.
Is Dove Meat Legal to Eat?
In most places, yes, dove meat is legal to hunt and consume. Doves are game birds, meaning they can be legally hunted during designated hunting seasons. Here are some key regulations on hunting and eating doves:
- In the United States, mourning doves are the most commonly hunted species. There is a federal migratory bird hunting stamp required along with state licenses and tags.
- The UK lifted its ban on selling wild game birds in 2015. Wild doves can now be legally hunted outside bird breeding seasons and sold for consumption if labelled correctly.
- In Australia, only three species of doves are designated game birds that can be hunted during open season: common bronzewing, crested pigeon, and peaceful dove.
- In Canada, rock doves (pigeons) are an introduced invasive species so there are no limits on hunting them. Mourning doves and other native species have regulated hunting seasons.
- In South Africa, the Cape turtle dove is the main hunted dove species during designated hunting seasons.
So in most regions, it is legal to hunt and eat doves when following your local laws and regulations. Some species may be protected, so it is important to check the legal status of any doves you hunt or buy.
Nutritional Profile of Dove Meat
Dove meat is lean and provides a healthy source of protein. Here is how it stacks up against other types of poultry and meat nutritionally:
- Protein: Doves have about 19-21g protein per 100g serving. This is comparable to chicken, turkey, and other poultry.
- Fat: Doves have only about 2.5-3g of fat per 100g serving, primarily heart-healthy unsaturated fats. Much lower fat than chicken with skin, beef, and other meats.
- Calories: 100g of dove breast provides about 120 calories. Lower than chicken, turkey, beef, pork and lamb.
- Iron: Doves provide a good boost of iron, with about 3mg per 100g serving. Comparable to beef.
- B Vitamins: Doves are high in niacin, B6 and B12. Support energy metabolism.
Overall, dove meat is an excellent source of lean protein that is low in fat and calories compared to other meats. It provides iron, B vitamins, and amino acids.
Benefits of Eating Dove Meat
Here are some of the top benefits that make dove meat a healthy addition to your diet:
- High in protein for building muscle mass and satisfying hunger.
- Very lean and low in saturated fat and calories for heart health.
- Rich in the amino acid tryptophan which can boost mood and sleep quality.
- Good source of iron to prevent anemia and support immune function.
- High niacin content to help convert food into energy.
- Rich in phosphorus, zinc and copper.
- Contains vitamin B12 needed for red blood cell formation.
- Low sodium content for people watching salt intake.
The mild taste and versatility of dove meat also makes it easy to incorporate into a variety of healthy recipes.
Risks and Concerns Around Eating Dove
While dove meat offers nutritional benefits, there are also some potential health and ethical concerns to consider:
- Food safety: Like any poultry, doves can carry Salmonella and other foodborne pathogens if handling and preparation is not done properly. Proper cooking to an internal temperature of 165°F kills bacteria.
- Lead exposure: Doves can ingest lead shotgun pellets while scavenging which can make their meat unsafe to eat. Using non-lead ammunition reduces this risk.
- Pesticides: Wild doves may be exposed to pesticides used on farms and lawns. Going for organic farmed doves when possible reduces this likelihood.
- Parasites: Wild doves are at higher risk of certain parasitic infections like Trichomoniasis which would make them unsafe for consumption without proper animal processing.
- Guilt over hunting: Some people feel conflicted over hunting doves for sport or food. Using as much of the dove meat as possible minimizes waste.
- Sustainability: Over-hunting has threatened some dove species. Checking local restrictions helps maintain populations.
Being mindful of food safety guidelines, using non-lead ammunition, and sticking to farmed or sustainably hunted doves can help reduce potential risks.
How Do Doves Compare to Other Types of Poultry?
Here is how the nutritional profile and taste of doves compare to other popular poultry meats:
Chicken
- Dove has slightly less fat and calories compared to chicken.
- Chicken has a more neutral flavor while doves are considered more gamy.
- Doves provide more iron but less zinc than chicken.
- Chicken is more widely available and affordable than doves.
Turkey
- Doves are lower in calories, sodium and fat compared to turkey.
- Turkey is higher in protein than doves.
- Turkey has a slightly stronger flavor than the milder tasting dove meat.
- Doves contain more vitamin B12 but less vitamin B6 than turkey.
Duck
- Dove has about half the fat content of duck meat.
- Duck provides more protein and iron than doves.
- Duck has a richer, gamier taste compared to more mild-tasting doves.
- Doves contain less zinc and more niacin than duck meat.
So dove competes well nutritionally with other poultry and offers a mildly flavored meat. Its leanness and gaminess falls somewhere between chicken and duck.
How Do You Cook Dove Meat?
Dove meat is versatile enough to be substituted in place of chicken or other poultry in recipes. Here are some of the most popular ways to cook dove:
- Braising or stewing: Braised or stewed dove legs/thighs become fall-off-the-bone tender in liquid for casseroles or pasta dishes.
- Grilling: Dove breast grills up quickly like chicken. Brushing with oil prevents drying out. Goes well in fajitas or kabobs.
- Pan-frying or sautéing: Cook dove breasts in olive oil over high heat until browned then finish cooking through in the oven or lower heat sautéed in wine or broth.
- Roasting: Roast whole small doves or dove breasts in the oven basted in butter, olive oil or marinade for even cooking.
- Smoking: Marinated dove breasts can be smoked low and slow for 3-4 hours to get tender, juicy meat.
- Curing: Cured dove breasts make tasty appetizers. Use a dry or wet curing process before cold smoking.
For safety, cook all dove meats to an internal temperature of at least 165°F. The delicate texture can dry out, so basting, braising, or slow cooking helps keep it moist.
Best Flavor Combinations for Dove
- Fruit: Dove goes well with sweet flavors like oranges, berries, peaches, apples or cherries.
- Vegetables: Mushrooms, greens, leeks, squash and root vegetables complement dove.
- Herbs: Rosemary, thyme, sage and parsley add earthiness.
- Spices: Juniper, peppercorn, cloves and nutmeg spice up dove.
- Oils/sauces: Olive oil, butter, wine or brandy lend richness.
- Nuts: Toasted almonds, pecans or pine nuts add crunch.
- Cheese: Soft and creamy cheeses like brie pair deliciously with dove.
Sautéing dove breasts and deglazing the pan with wine or broth makes a quick, flavorful sauce. Braising dove legs in squash, mushroom and wine stew lends itself well to fall meals.
Popular Dove Meat Recipes
Here are some classic and creative recipes for cooking doves:
Main Dishes
- Pan-seared dove breasts with blueberry wine sauce
- Cajun blackened dove
- Dove poppers wrapped in bacon
- Beer can dove
- Dove burger or meatballs
- Stuffed roasted dove
- Dove country captain casserole
- Pan-fried dove with gravy
- Dove and dumplings
- Dove cacciatore
Appetizers
- Smoked dove bruschetta
- Dove lettuce wraps
- Grilled dove kebabs
- Dove rillettes
- Cured dove
Soups or Salads
- Dove noodle soup
- Curried dove and rice soup
- Dove, squash and farro salad
- Roasted dove panzanella salad
- Grilled dove Caesar salad
The adaptable flavor of dove allows it to fit into rustic stews, quick weeknight sautés, gamey appetizers, and more.
Where to Buy Dove Meat
You may need to visit a specialty store or market to find dove meat, as it is less common than chicken or other poultry at standard grocers. Here are some places to buy fresh or frozen dove meat:
- Online mail order: Specialty game meat retailers like D’Artagnan or Exotic Meat Market will ship dove meat nationally.
- Farmers markets: Look for stands selling locally farmed dove meat at your city or regional farmers market.
- Specialty/game stores: Stores dedicated to game meats or custom cuts may offer fresh or frozen dove.
- Hunting: Legally hunted wild dove can be processed for meat according to your state/region’s regulations.
- Farms: Some poultry farms raise doves alongside chickens, ducks and other fowl.
- Asian/African markets: Imported frozen dove may be available at ethnic grocers in some areas.
Call ahead to confirm dove availability and pricing. Handle and cook dove just as you would store-bought chicken or other poultry.
Conclusion
Dove meat offers a tasty, lean protein to add variety to your diet. In most places, doves are legal to hunt and eat during designated seasons. Doves provide a nutritional profile comparable to chicken and turkey meat, with less fat and calories. Their mild, versatile flavor works well in a wide range of recipes from seared breast entrees to braised legs. While dove is less common than chicken or beef, you may be able to find it at specialty stores, farms, or wild game suppliers when you want to give this historic ingredient a tasty try. Following safe handling and cooking guidelines makes dove meat a healthy and delicious meal option.