Christmastime at a Wisconsin table features American holiday classics like ham mashed potatoes and cookies but the entree often consists of something that would shock non-Midwesterners. It’s called a cannibal sandwich although it’s not really a sandwich and in fact it’s not Hannibal Lecter’s favorite pastime. The dish is fairly simple: a slice of rye bread topped with raw ground beef and a few slices of onion (also raw). The meat is usually seasoned with salt and pepper and doesn’t have much flavor on its own. The emphasis is more on texture with the soft spreadable meat contrasting with the crusty bread and crunchy onions.
| Channel | Publish Date | Thumbnail & View Count | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
 emmymade | 2019-07-05 00:00:05 |  213,425 Views |
CANNIBAL SANDWICH | Wildcat | Tiger Meat — raw beef & onion | Representation: Wisconsin
Raw beef can be found on tables throughout the Midwest and depending on where you are it may also be called “tiger meat” or “wildcat.” However the dish is most closely associated with Wisconsin where beef and dairy dominate the agriculture. It’s especially popular in the Milwaukee area and you can even find it in local restaurants and butchers especially during the Christmas season.
Despite its enduring popularity the cannibal sandwich is a highly controversial dish. People have been eating raw beef for centuries (think beef tartare for example) but doctors and health officials have consistently warned about its potential dangers. Cannibal sandwiches can be safe as long as you take precautions. However it can still be risky.
The tradition of eating cannibal rolls can be traced to German immigrants in the Midwest although it is unclear how it became associated with Christmas. There is a similar German dish called mett that is traditionally made with ground or minced pork although in rare cases beef may be used. Like cannibal rolls mett is often combined with raw onion (in which case it is called "zwiebelmett") and served on bread ("mettbrötchen").
