Finding Lamb Shanks

[nissenpa]

Where can I find lamb shanks. I have not checked Whole Foods yet because they are so expensive. I'm in NoVA.

[monkeyrotica]

If you're looking for halal restaurants and markets in NoVA that carry lamb shanks, you should do a search on zabihah.com. It's an excellent restaurant review site.

http://www.zabihah.com/

[MartinDC]

A poster above mentioned Safeway. The lamb shanks I have found at the mainstream grocery stores (Safeway included) are pre-packaged. They contain extra water and salt. Apart from paying for water at lamb prices, the meat is not good quality once it sits in water and preservatives. The fibers begin to break down. So its probably a good idea to avoid meats packaged this way. (Frozen cryopack is okay -- it is handled differently.)

Meat that is soggy from sitting in water and chemicals will not brown very well, so you will not get a good caramelization before braising.

I have not bought meat at the Hallal markets, but it makes good sense.

[PollyG]

Lamb shanks may not show up on the price list at Lebanese Butcher but ask--they may have 'em frozen. I bought half a dozen this weekend.

[MakingSense]

Lamb shanks are soooo easy to cook. Bittman's How to Cook Everything has easy instructions and then a few variations on the basic recipe. Basic braising...

Cocinero Cubano had great suggestions for lots of places where you can get shanks and other cuts of lamb in the DC Metro area. We're lucky to have lots of ethnic markets where it is normal food instead of getting stuck having to pay silly prices at Whole Food or gourmet markets for a limited selection.

[SMac]

Not sure where to buy Lamb shamks, but if you want to eat them out try Layalina Restaurant on Wilson Blvd in Arlington. Have eaten there many times and always love the food. Lots of tender lamb, including Ouzi.

[nissenpa]

I saw a recipe in Cuisine for BBQ lamb shanks and other than ground lamb I have not used any other cut. Is it difficult to work with?

[Cocinero Cubano]

Any halal market or Latino/Spanish foods market worth its weight carries them. I usually go to the Lebanese Butcher in Falls Church on Annandale Rd. or El Chaparral on Wilson Blvd in N Arlington. I've also been told that Al-Amal Market near Bailey's Crossroads is good. Giant also carries them and not too pricey either.

Cocinero Cubano

[MakingSense]

Even Safeway has lamb shanks. Not an unusual cut of meat.
I buy mine at Union Meats at Eastern Market on Capital Hill. 7th ST, SE between Pa and NC Aves. Just over the 14th St. Bridge in DC from NoVA. Great food market.
Prices are much, much lower than WF for better quality. Organic, free-range, etc. plus conventional products.

[nissenpa]

LOVE the pepper bacon at Union Meats. Next time I'm down there I will get some lamb shanks.