The Historical Narrative of Horse Meat Recipes & Cuisine in Italy: When it comes to culinary customs, the journey across different cultures often presents moments of profound divergence. These encounters with unfamiliar foods can evoke a sense of cultural shock, prompting reflections on the intricate relationship between food and society.  Horse meat holds a unique place in the culinary landscape of Italy, where it is revered as a wholesome and nourishing delicacy, positioned somewhere between the flavors of beef and venison.  Horse meat is often recommended for the young and infirm, believed to possess numerous health benefits due to its lean protein content and rich iron levels. You may be surprised to learn that some well-known multinationals have Italian baby food subsidiaries that have embraced the tradition of horse meat in their product lines: Mellini (a Danone subsidiary) and Plasmon, a subsidiary of the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based H. J. Heinz Company. Their products include purees and ready-to-eat meals, and cater to parents seeking nutritious and culturally relevant options for their infants.  This is a fascinating, eye-opening podcast episode with @mangiawithmichele and....you just might learn a few recipes! (Don't worry...you can also make them with beef!)