SAEDNEWS: Kaleh Pacheh is a traditional Middle Eastern dish made by cooking a sheep’s head and feet. It is prepared in similar ways across the region. Proper cleaning at home is important for health and safety. Removing the hair carefully requires specific steps, and knowing them helps ensure the dish is clean and ready for cooking.
According to the Saed News cooking service, in the past only market workers would go early in the morning to eat kaleh pacheh (lamb head and trotters), while families would patiently prepare it at home. Today, due to smaller homes and busy lifestyles, most people prefer to eat it at restaurants or order it for delivery. If you want to prepare a delicious homemade kaleh pacheh, there are several important steps to follow.
Bring water to a boil in a large pot that can fully fit the lamb head.
Place the head into the boiling water and wait a few minutes until the hair becomes soft.
Then start removing the hair using a knife or by hand.
If the head is fresh, the hair will easily come off in boiling water. If it is not very fresh, adding a small amount of lime to the boiling water may help loosen the hair.
After removing the hair, burn (smoke) the head using a high-pressure gas torch or, if unavailable, over a gas stove flame. This removes remaining fine hairs and also gives a roasted flavor that significantly affects the taste.
Note: This step should be done in an open space, not indoors.
Burn the entire surface of the head, then gently scrape the burnt layer using a knife.
After smoking, spread a plastic sheet on the ground, hold the head from the back, and hit it firmly against the ground from the nose side. Repeat this several times.
Then insert a hose into the trachea (located at the back of the head) and run high-pressure water through it so that it exits through the nose, cleaning it thoroughly.
Remove the ears, as they are not edible.
Using a sharp knife, cut the skin on both sides of the mouth, then press with both hands to separate the upper and lower jaw. Alternatively, you can use a saw and cut the head in half from between the jaws to the top of the skull.
Scrub the tongue and teeth using a brush or a hard toothbrush. For better cleaning, teeth can even be removed with pliers.
First, place the trotters in boiling water and remove the hair using a knife or by hand.
Hold the trotter and remove the hoof. The hoof can be detached like a shoe by inserting a knife and applying pressure.
Then burn the trotters to remove any remaining hair and scrape the surface with a knife to remove the burnt layer.
Remove the hair pockets located under the skin between the claws using a knife.
For this method, aspirin tablets are suggested.
Boil water and add several aspirin tablets depending on the water volume. Stir until fully dissolved.
Place the lamb head into the boiling solution and let it sit for a few minutes (do not leave it too long to avoid cooking the meat).
Then gently remove the hair using hands or a scraper.
After removing most of the hair, burn the remaining fine hairs using a flame.
Note: This method is not recommended due to health concerns; baking soda is suggested as a safer alternative.
If hair removal is difficult after boiling, add some lime to the boiling water and stir.
This helps loosen the hair, making it easier to remove.
After removing the hair, the head should be smoked (burned lightly):
Boil water in a large pot.
Place the head in boiling water until the hair softens.
Remove hair manually.
Then burn the remaining fine hair using a gas torch or flame.
This improves flavor and removes leftover hair.
Scrape off the burnt layer using a knife.
Always perform the smoking process in an open area, never indoors.
