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Regional dishes reflect the fact that rabbit is very versatile and works well with those flavors often used in chicken dishes, such as mustard and cream (France), tomato and herbs (Italy), and chili (South America). Get hold of some rabbit and try one of the great recipes below such as Ligurian Braised Rabbit and Rosemary with Olives and Tomatoes (pictured). HISTORYThe rabbit is native to North Africa and Spain. The Romans began importing rabbits to Italy in around the third century BC. During medieval times new-born rabbits and fetuses, known as laurices, were widely eaten in Spain and Italy as they were not considered meat and could be eaten on fish days. From the fifteenth century on it was common practice for sailors and explorers to release breeding rabbits on islands to provide a supply of fresh meat. The rabbit is now found throughout Europe, South America and Australasia. In the first half of the twentieth century the rabbit population exploded. Myxomatosis, introduced as a form of pest control in Australia in 1951, and later in Europe, killed more than 95% of rabbit populations. BIOLOGYThe rabbit is a member of the family Leporidae, which includes the hare. Rabbits are gregarious and nocturnal animals that feed on grasses and herbaceous plants but will also eat bark when grass is not available. Rabbits are highly efficient at converting plant proteins into animal proteins (their conversion rate is double that of cattle, for example). NUTRITIONRabbit meat is relatively low in fat and high in protein. It is a good source of niacin, iron, phosphorus, and vitamin B12. TIPSBUYING STORING PREPARING As rabbit meat is very lean, care should be taken to prevent it from drying out during cooking. Marinating or barding (covering in a fat or wrapping in bacon) can help moisten the flesh during roasting or barbecuing. OTHER STUFFIf you don't fancy rabbit, why not make Welsh Rabbit? PICK OF THE RECIPES
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