Comb (anatomy)

For other uses, see Coxcomb (disambiguation).

A rooster with a large red comb.

A comb is a fleshy growth or crest on the top of the head of gallinaceous birds, most notably turkeys, pheasants, and domestic chickens. Its alternative name cockscomb (spelling variations abound) is because combs are generally larger on males than on females (a male gallinaceous bird is called a cock). There can be several fleshy protruberances on the heads and throats of gallinaceous birds, i.e. comb, wattle, ear lobes and nodules, which collectively are called caruncles, however, in turkeys caruncle refers specifically to the fleshy nodules on the head and throat.

Chicken combs are most commonly red (but may be black or dark purple in breeds such as Silkies or Sebrights), but in other species the color may vary from light grey to deep blue or red; turkey combs can vary in color from bright red to blue.

The comb may be a reliable indicator of health and vigor.

In cookery

Combs are used in cookery, often in combination with wattles or chicken kidneys.

Combs were formerly used in French cuisine as garnishes. They were also used to prepare salpicons served in vol-au-vents, profiteroles, etc. in which they were often combined with other luxury ingredients such as truffles, sweetbreads, or morels in a cream sauce.

In Italian cuisine, combs are an important ingredient in the famous sauce called Cibreo, which also includes chicken livers, wattles, and unlaid eggs. It is used as a sauce for tagliatelle and in the molded potato-ricotta ring Cimabella con cibreo.

Combs are prepared by parboiling and skinning, then cooking in court-bouillon. After preparation, they are greyish.

Rooster combs are often served in Chinese dim sum style dishes.

Other

Because of its bright color and distinctive shape, 'cockscomb' also describes various plants, including the florists' plant Celosia cristata, the meadow weed yellow rattle, sainfoin, wild poppy, lousewort, Erythronium and Erythrina crista-galli; the characteristic jester's cap; a shape of pasta (creste di galli); and so on.

See also

• Crest (feathers)
• Dubbing (poultry) - removal of the comb
• Larousse Gastronomique
• Snood (anatomy)
• Wattle (anatomy)