Would you eat a squirrel for your country?
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In Europe, where the eastern Grey Squirrel (pictured), a non-native species, is driving out the native European Red Squirrel, people are starting to get used to the idea of eating the invaders for dinner. (Or lunch, or breakfast - a nice squirromelette, anyone?) The Guardian reports that grey squirrel meat flies off the shelves at supermarkets, and that people see the squirrel as the ultimate eco-meal-since the squirrels are "raised" right near where they're killed and eaten, and since they are obviously completely free range, many of the concerns we have over the high carbon and environmental costs of beef or chicken or pork are non-existent. The meat is also, apparently, quite low-fat, and tastes "moist and sweet" (ew). Finally, by eating a grey squirrel, the idea is that you are helping more of the native red squirrels to survive.
How do Brits cook squirrel? One chef reports "Southern fried squirrel is good. And tandoori style works. It is especially tasty fricasséed with Cornish cream and walnuts. But the one everyone seems to like is the Cornish squirrel pasty."
Via Treehugger
The race for the world's first "green" island
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Transportation Alternatives: Designing a "post-automobile" street
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-12-2008 @ 5:17PM
Colette said...
There's nothing gross about eating squirrels. Although I'm now a vegetarian, squirrel is a good alternative for people who simply can't give up meat. It has a naturally sweet and spicy taste.
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5-13-2008 @ 4:31PM
Karsten said...
You just wait! Squirrel will become so popular that some farmers will raise them in barns to satisfy the market and lower prices which in turn will increase demand for this new eco-food. And then we have more gray squirrels than ever before.
If squirrel meat becomes more popular than just for a few people, it will not help the red squirrels at all. It will result in more meat farms because hunting or trapping them will be much pricier than raising them.
On the other hand, it will widen peoples perceptions of what sort of meat is edible. Of course, Europeans are not as finicky about their meat than Americans who eat only a few parts of the animal and regard the rest as disgusting.
Karsten
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5-15-2008 @ 6:30PM
Kenith L. Halsey said...
I have been hunting and eating Squirells all of my life. They are not my prefered meat, but I was taught when I was young. If you kill it, you have to eat it! Sure hope I don't kill someone accidentally! LOL
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5-15-2008 @ 8:17PM
Jewell Davis said...
Squirrel and rabbits when psessure cooked and ground make some of the best tamales in the world. Both of these meats are much better for you than beef or pork.
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5-19-2008 @ 7:06PM
John said...
I love shooting squirrels! It's my favorite small game hunting. They are pretty good when made into a stew. Not as good as rabbit stew but still pretty tasty.
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