The popular name of this offal in Portuguese (passarinha literally means “little female bird”) can be deceiving. Like other viscera, beef spleen is highly nutritious. It contains proteins of high biological value, iron and vitamins. Fried in dende oil, it is a delicacy in Bahia state. It can also be roasted or used as an ingredient for a special moqueca − a stew also containing dried shrimp.