The other, other white meat

Touted as a leaner alternative to more common proteins such as beef, pork and chicken, rabbit is quickly becoming a star ingredient on many menus across the GTA. We put it to the test — herewith, the lab results on two local rabbit dishes

by by Charlotte Herrold for Post City Posted: March 29, 2012 Photo: Touted as a leaner alternative to more common proteins such as beef, pork and chicken, rabbit is quickly becoming a star ingredient on many menus across the GTA. We put it to the test — herewith, the lab results on two local rabbit dishes

Malena

Braised Rabbit

Available sporadically on Malena’s ever-changing menu, this braised rabbit dish is indeed quite low on the calorie count. With all sides included, however, the meal’s fat quotient adds up to over a third of the daily recommended intake.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 344.5g

	% Daily Value*
Calories 479
Total Fat 22.7 g	34.9%
Sodium 1058 mg	44.1%
Carbohydrates 19.3 g	6.4%
Protein 49.3 g

Nota Bene

Rabbit Soffrito

Nota Bene’s rabbit soffrito is served over pappardelle pasta with porcini mushrooms, pancetta, olives and a side of bread — all of which contribute to high fat and sodium numbers. Coming in at over a thousand calories in total, this dish is an indulgence to be savoured only occasionally.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 419.3g

	% Daily Value*
Calories 1103
Total Fat 57.9 g	89.1%
Sodium 1296 mg	54%
Carbohydrates 100.6 g	33.5%
Protein 45.3 g

TEST PARAMETERS: Results relate only to the items tested. *DAILY VALUE PERCENTAGES: Health Canada uses a 2,000-calorie diet as the benchmark for nutritional labelling, and so did we. Subsequent values for total fat and carbohydrates are derived as a percentage of that diet.