Nose to tail - a tale of tallow

A tale of tallow! Using animal fat is nothing new and has been used by many many cultures for a a very very long time! My Hungarian and Finnish ancestors hailing from cold lands utilized all parts of the animals they raised and ate- nothing went to waste. This way of “nothing in excess” is rooted in a spiritual awareness of balance and respect of the animal and the lands.

Now a days we are in a reality where commercial cattle are treated horrendously! If you eat beef the importance of only eating grass fed and grass finished is top priority. I have been a part of a meat share for some years where it went from rancher to butcher to us. Clean 100% grass fed beef which included organs, bones and if requested fat. I requested all of it and used it all as well. From steaks, to bone broth; liver to tallow to cook with- it can all be used- all the parts- nose to tail! The hides can be tanned and used for clothing, shoes etc. In this manner we respect the animal and all its parts.

They say an animal has enough brains to tan its own hide and I have personally seen this with deer, elk and lamb. Animal husbandry and the actual slaughtering is all part of the process which I have done (aside of hunting and actually felling an animal). Working with free wild game is an even deeper engagement and they taste different. Skinning a deer, storing the meat and organs and brain tanning the hide for use gives a full feeling of utter involvement.