Squirrel cleaning question

[mississippifarmboy]

Quote:
Do you par boil them before you fry?

If I had mess of squirrels too big for one meal, I think I would par boil and fry the hind legs and saddles and make squirrels and dumplings or Brunswick stew out of the front ends.

It depends on how much time I have. If I have time, boiling them until tender before frying is the way to go, but if I'm in a hurry I just fry them fresh.
I was raised poor, so eatting a tough critter, whether squirrel, rabbit, coon or whatever is just part of life here.
I never have more than enough for a meal. I only kill what I need. Usually about 4 -5 squirrels or two rabbits is about right for a mess for my family.

 

[gryeyes]

MFB, if I paid for the dry ice and overnight shipping, plus whatever it would be worth to the hunter & cleaner, could I talk you into sending a squirrel carcass (fresh and suitable for thawing and cooking) out here to me in California??

I am not joking. Apparently the exotic meats suppliers are not allowed to sell squirrel meat in the USA.

I can be adventurous. I really want to taste squirrel meat.

 

[itsy]

X2 on wanting to try it. I also want to try moose if anyone's got any!!!

How does one "hunt" squirrel? Could I get a bb rifle? Do you have to worry about any sort of contamination when you hunt a squirrel?

 

[mississippifarmboy]

Quote:
Linda, if it wasn't illigal to ship game animals across state lines and I wasn't the most unlucky feller on the planet... I'd love to.

Let me check and see who I know in Cali... might get you a mess anyway...

 

[sourland]

Squirrel in a sauerbraten sauce - over noodles

. Once made it for the people at work. The only person who knew what we were eating was a lady from N.C. One person actually got sick when I told them what it was.

 

[LindsayB]

My husband loves squirrel dumplings (same as chicken and dumplings but with squirrel)

I like them roasted on the grill wrapped in foil with butter, peppers and onions

Keeps them very moist!

 

[itsy]

This thread has got me wanting to try this. When I get on one of these kicks... it's just a matter of time. Now I'm watching youtube videos.... oh boy.

Do you let the meat rest like you do chickens before you cook them?

 

[sourland]

We always allowed them to 'age' in a light brine solution for 24 hours, then parboil till tender and then bread and fry.

 

[LindsayB]

They taste like chicken!

We put them in zip lock bags and let them rest in the fridge for 1 or 2 days. They are never tough for us.

 

[arianna]

Just curious, what's the taste of a squirrel? Does it taste like chicken or more like game? The only "unusual" animal I had was frog legs, I remember those tasted more like chicken.