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The Romans taste for young calves reached the point where the Emperor Alexander Severus (222-235AD) had to issue a decree forbidding their slaughter, since the breeding stock was being deprived.

A question exists as to who really created Wiener Schnitzel. While the Viennese (from Austria) are credited with this classic veal dish, the Milanese (from Italy) claim that as far back as 1134, when a banquet was given for the canon of Milan’s ancient Church of Sant’ Ambrogio, the menu included “lombolos cum panitio,” breaded veal scallops.

The Italians are also sometimes reported to have introduced veal into France via Catherine de’ Medici, the Italian-born Queen of France who reined from 1533 to 1589. It appears that Catherine did like veal, which was natural for anyone who came from Florence where veal was considered so luxurious that it was decreed if veal was served at a wedding dinner, no other meat could appear on the same menu. While Catherine did bring many Italian artists, poets, musicians, and dancing masters to France, historians counter that several veal recipes were located in France at least a century and a half (late 1300′a) prior to Catherine ascending to the French throne.

In England, two fifteenth-century cookbooks offer recipes for veal dishes; and one for a veal pasty appeared in The Forme of Cury, the date is 1378.

During the mid-1700′s, veal was immortalized by the Jean-Baptiste Oudry, in his still life oil on canvas painting entitled Veal depicted a Quarter of Veal along with wine and fruit.

The famous French writer and philosopher, Voltaire, used an offer of veal stock instead of traditional fatty sauces, called gravy, to entice his friend to come and visit him, during the mid-1700′s. Voltaire wrote to his friend Saint-Lambert, “Come to Ciety [where Voltaire was living] where Madame du Chatelet [his cook] will not let you be poisoned. There is not a spoonful of gravy in her cooking: everything is made with blond de veau [obtained by boiling veal shanks in water with carrots, onions, celery and a chicken carcass. We will live one hundred years and you will never die." [Voltaire did live to be 84.]

Veal Links in Canada

Delft Blue is dedicated to the development and servicing of the North American veal market.

Ontario Veal Association Veal production and farming questions and answers. Concise, well laid out and informative.

Quebec Milk-Fed Veal   Full of information on veal production, cuts, cooking methods, tricks and tips. Also the complete site in French (Francais).

Veal links in USA

Veal Farm Promoting the American veal industry. Encouraging communications and distributing information pertinent to the veal industry.

Vealstore.com The site about veal for chefs, foodservice professionals and home cooks. Includes recipes, information about veal products, and general information about veal.
Veal Information links in Europe

Veal Promotion.com VanDrie veal promotion (v3PK) has aimed its recipe site for veal at European consumers. The site provides extensive information on veal and preparing veal. The site also offers interesting cooking tips, many delicious veal recipes, a cooking glossary and the option to send e-cards.

Calf Facts Many articles about raising calves and things associated with it by Sam Leadley

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