McMutton

 While visiting Window Rock, capitol of the Navajo Nation, I noticed short sleeve shirts for sale with the McDonald emblem and "McMutton" on the shirt.  A few years ago the local McDonalds in a bow to the Navajo had McMutton burgers for sale.  The burgers made from old sheep were not very popular and the burgers were dropped quickly.  However, the shirts persist and are even a source of pride to the Navajo.

The Navajo cuisine is famous for Navajo Tacos and Indian Fry Bread but what really sets the Navajo apart is mutton,  Mutton is sheep older than two years and can be quite strong tasting,  The sheep to Navajo is what the buffalo was to the plains Indian, the camel to the Bedouin, and the horse to the cowboy.  A sheep is killed for feasts, to celebrate, and just to survive.  The wool makes the famous Navajo blankets.  It is as much a part of Navajo culture as the language. Almost every family keeps some sheep.  Liking the sheep is one thing, using its wool another, but eating mutton is an acquired taste. 

I hope to cook mutton stew some weekend.   I have many recipes from the elder grandmother types around here. I've been told to open the windows and be prepared for an all day adventure as it takes a while for the mutton to tenderize to the point that is edible.  So if you are driving through Chinle in the next few weeks and you see people fleeing the doctors compound you know what's going on.