Is squirrel the perfect austerity dish?

[timf2009]

Article on the BBC website about eating squirrel as a money saver.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11834184

I've never tried squirrel. Does it really taste sweet?

 

[Kerne]

I ate squirrel on a foraging course and it was very nice - I preferred it to the bunny we cooked at the same time. We skewered it and roasted it over the fire - nothing fancy but it tasted great if a little chewy. Definitely a sweetish flavour.

 

[Oblio13]

I've eaten lots of squirrels. They have an unpleasant smell when you're cleaning them, but they taste great.

 

[Hoodoo]

Squirrel ranks right at the top as a game food imo. I like it better than rabbit. Old squirrels can be a little tough and gamey tasting but mostly, squirrel is tender and delish when properly prepared. My top fish and game foods in no particular order are: venison backstrap, grouse, squirrel, trout and bluegill. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Front Room Woodlander]

Yep. I like mine with chilli and peanut butter dressing.

 

[lannyman8]

tree rats are nice, i think they taste like a hint of game flavoured lamb..........

 

[Labrador]

Yep, definitely worth a try. The best tasting small game by far!

 

[HeltorChasca]

I’m with you on this one too. Had my HW97KT (.22) for just a week and I’ve got 2 squirrels sitting in the freezer. They are both big bucks so need to be done in a stew. I like the liver, kidneys and heart cooked up very soon after despatch. (Butter, cream, Dijon mustard and salt and pepper) Beautiful: Better than anything you’ll purchase in even a good country butchery.

I am very respectful in how I obtain any game and it’s all for the pot and on my land or permission land. And of course I like to think I’m doing my bit to protect our wildlife from the American Greys thieving eggs, chicks, roosting birds, driving Reds and other mammals out etc.....hc

 

[Colin.W]

Just don't tell the tree huggers. It wasnt that long ago a restaurant was picketed by "animal lovers" protesting at the inclusion of tree rats on the menu. no mention was made about the white veal, vennison, beef, lamb etc just up in arms about the vermin from the woods

 

[BarryG]

I've eaten lots of squirrels. They have an unpleasant smell when you're cleaning them, but they taste great.

Not as rank as pheasant though, I find. They sooooo stink!

 

[MSkiba]

apart from chilli, how else can a squiggle be prepared?

 

[gowersponger]

i was siting under my tarp the outher day when a treerat was just clinging on to the trunk of a tree i had my .22 next to me and thought shall i but i didnt bother
after reading this iam thinking i should of give it a go.thanks for the post

 

[Nonsuch]

I ate squirrel on a foraging course and it was very nice - I preferred it to the bunny we cooked at the same time. We skewered it and roasted it over the fire - nothing fancy but it tasted great if a little chewy. Definitely a sweetish flavour.

Sounds like the Woodsmoke Woodlander or Autumn Harvester….Am I right ? Which one ?

NS

 

[santaman2000]

apart from chilli, how else can a squiggle be prepared?

A common recipe here in the South is simply quartering it and shallow frying it (after skinning, gutting and cutting off the head and feet of course). Salt and pepper the quarters to taste then dredge them in flour and brown on both sides in a little oil (vegetable oil or pork fat). Remove the squirrel and drain. Add a tablespoon of flour to the oil and brown to make a rouxe then add water or beef/chicken stock to make a gravy. Return the squirrel to the gravy and simmer a few minutes til done. You can add or substitute your own favorite spices before the dredging step. We like Cajun spices. As an option you can add sauted onions and/or mushrooms to the gravy making stage. Serve this dish over rice or with American style biscuits or dumplings. IMHO it's best cooked in a cast iron skillet. Squirrels are small so bear in mind that it takes 2 or 3 to have enough to "stink the gravy" as I once heard a Game Warden call it. Plan on at least 2 quarters per person, possibly more.

Note: If the flour dredging doesn't make a thick enough coating for your taste try soaking the squirrel in buttermilk first This will also tenderize it if you soak for at least 3 hours or overnight)

 

[Ruvio]

I like them with wild garlic pesto smeared in the cavity, then roasted. Delicious.
Our local butchers had a lot of complaints for hanging them in the window...no-one blinked at the ducks and shanks hanging there though. Ridiculous

 

[BarryG]

mmmmmm squirrel!

Goes great on the BBQ with a honey & mustard glaze.

 

[Laughoutlouder]

Gonna have to try some grey squirrel.

 

[PREPER]

Ever get the feeling you chose the wrong avatar?

PREPER........

 

[Ruvio]

No way Preper. You look delicious.

 

[santaman2000]

I like them with wild garlic pesto smeared in the cavity, then roasted. Delicious.
Our local butchers had a lot of complaints for hanging them in the window...no-one blinked at the ducks and shanks hanging there though. Ridiculous

You gotta admit the hanging carcass looks a lot like somebody's pet though.