DENVER — Each Easter and Passover, families gather around roasts and racks, sharing the elegant American lamb that forms the ideal centerpiece of springtime celebration feasts. Although fresh American lamb is available year round, consumption of this meat doubles in the spring, and right now, local shepherds are gearing up for their busiest season.
Those shepherds are the story behind every bite of American lamb taken in the spring and for the rest of the year. American shepherds have a shared connection to the land, the animals, and the local communities they serve. They're both urban and rural, they're both men and women, and they hold advanced degrees. They range from first-to-fourth-generation farmers, and they're passionate stewards of the environment. They're family-focused, entrepreneurial and adventurous. And they are food artisans who care deeply about the origin and nature of their products-real people with real passion for what they do and the final product they deliver.
America's shepherds are raising 6 million sheep across 82,000 sheep ranches; sheep are raised in every state, though top producing states include California, Colorado, Wyoming, Texas and South Dakota. These animals graze on ranges and are raised on a natural forage diet, which makes them efficient mowers – some sheep mow wineries and ski resorts as they grow. The quality of feed gives American lamb a mild, delicate flavor, ideal for a variety of family-pleasing recipes.
That's the excellent American lamb that will be featured on family tables across the country this spring in dishes like this:
Springtime Lamb Loin with Savory Apricot Glaze
Braised Lamb Shanks with Artichokes and Fava Beans
For more information and American Lamb recipes, visit www.AmericanLamb.com, become a fan on Facebook or follow @FANofLAMB on Twitter.
About the American Lamb Board
The American Lamb Board is an industry-funded research and promotions commodity board that represents all sectors of the American Lamb industry including producers, feeders, seed stock producers and processors. The Board, appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture, is focused on increasing demand by promoting the freshness, flavor, nutritional benefits, and culinary versatility of American Lamb. The work of the American Lamb Board is overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the board's programs are supported and implemented by the staff in Denver, Colorado.
Source: American Lamb Board