Rocky Mountain Oysters, Mountain Oysters or Prairie Oysters are culinary names given to calf or bull testicles. They are usually peeled, coated in flour, pepper and salt, then deep-fried. It is a well-known novelty dish in parts of the American West and the Canadian Prairies where cattle ranching is prevalent. The name is derived from the Rocky Mountains. In Oklahoma and North Texas, they are sometimes called Calf Fries, and are colloquially referred to as huevos de toro (bull’s eggs) in Central and South America. Rocky Mountain oysters are sometimes incorrectly associated with Lamb Fries, which are animelles that are served in a manner similar to Rocky Mountain oysters.

The dish is most commonly found served at festivals, such as the ones in Montana, or at certain eating establishments and bars that specialize in it.

Consumption of the dish is often meant as a lighthearted test of one’s bravado, especially for men, given the inherent implications of castration and the threat of the loss of male virility. This is especially true for consumption by individuals of a group, where failing to consume the dish after a mutual dare is taken as a humorous indication of cowardice. Consumption is often undertaken with copious amounts of beer.

American cuisine | Offal