CEKER (CHICKEN FEET) DELICACIES

Chicken feet are not an uncommon kind of food here in Indonesia. They can be cooked into many kinds of delicacy. However, for most people all over the world, chicken feet are still considered a strange, and rather “icky” food. But do you know that they actually own nutritional values? 

 The chicken feet or we Indonesians know them more as “ceker” is one of popular foods in the country. The chicken feet are usually cooked into many kinds of delicacy. Among many are soup, steamed and deep-fried. Most Indonesians even believe that giving chicken feet to toddlers can strengthen the toddlers’ feet. But mostly they love it because of its delicious taste.

Not only in Indonesia, chicken feet also considered as delicacy in many parts of Asian countries. We take China for example. Chicken feet are usually cooked as dish in dim sum cuisines. They are prepared in various kind, such as plain steamed, fried with a little spicy black bean sauce, and braised.

However, there are some people who do not consume chicken feet. Their reason is based on the hygienist part. They see chicken feet as dirty part, because, well, we must admit it is the feet of animal. So they feel rather disgusted by the idea of eating them. Well, everyone is entitled to his or her own opinions.

So, is it really true that chicken feet are quite beneficial for human health? Chicken feet consist of the skin, muscle, bone, and collagen. Collagen is one kind of pliable and yellowish transparent protein of ligament. When affected by heat, collagen will melt into a rather thick glue like liquid. The main composition of chicken feet is the amino acide, which is the basic component of protein. Inside the amino acid, among many, there are glycine-proline, hydroxyproline-arginine-glycine. Chicken feet also contain calcium and several amounts of mineral.

So, with all the nutrients contained inside, we can be quite sure that chicken feet have their own nutritional values, especially for the growth of children. It is because the kind of amino acid; proline and hydroxiproline, and calcium are obviously needed.

Chicken feet are also good for treating osteoporosis.  All this time we only know that to prevent this illness is simply by consuming enough calcium. But calcium can only strengthen the outer side of the bones, not the inner part, which is actually the most crucial thing that will influence the strength of the outer part of the bones, formed by a substance called hydroxyapatite. This substance can be said as the food for the bones. And it comes from the animals’ bones, such as chicken, cow, or goat. So, consuming chicken feet, which naturally contain hydroxyapatite can help maintaining the strength of the bones.

Although now we know how nutritious chicken feet are, it does not mean we depend only on them to gain the nutrients we need for our health. Living a healthy lifestyle, such as eating healthy foods and exercising, will improve our condition.

So, perhaps some unique and uncommon foods can be beneficial for us. What do you think?


* Gathered from many sources.
* All pictures belong to their rightful owners. I'm just borrowing them.