Cook Wild
Snapping Turtle
Food enthusiasts who enjoy trying unusual wild game should try wild snapping turtle. However, those who live in areas where snapping turtles are common may not find eating snapping turtles that strange, and it is from them that we learn cook turtle meat. Snapping turtle is commonly cooked to make a turtle potage, or a thick soup-like dish. Be sure to thoroughly clean a snapping turtle before cooking. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Instructions
1. Keep the turtle alive in a cooler for 5 to 7 days to ensure that it completely empties its digestive system.
2. Pull on the head with a pair of pliers to stretch the neck and remove the head using a 6-inch butcher knife.
3. Hang the turtle upside down using string or wire for 45 minutes to drain the blood.
4. Place the turtle in boiling water for 5 minutes to soften the flesh.
5. Turn the turtle upside down and cut off its feet. Slice around the belly where it meets the hard shell and remove the skin and shell.
6. Make a shallow cut up the belly, open the belly and remove the guts. Be careful to not puncture the bladder, as any remaining contents will spoil the meat.
7. Submerge the meat in a 1/2 gallon of water with 1 tbsp. of baking soda and 2 tbsp. of salt. Refrigerate for 8 to 12 hours.
8. Cut the meat from the bones and into cubes.
9. Place the meat on the stove in a frying pan with butter on medium-low heat. Use 1 tablespoon of butter for every pound of meat. Fry the meat for few minutes until it is browned.
10. Add the meat to a slow cooker.
11. For every two pounds of meat, add 1/4 cup sherry, 2 cups of water, 1 minced onion, 2 chopped carrots, 2 chopped celery stalks, 6 quartered or halved red potatoes, 1 can of crushed tomatoes, 1/8 tsp. of dried basil, 1/8 tsp. of salt, 1/8 tsp. of pepper, 2 squirts of Worcestershire sauce and 1/8 tsp. of paprika.
12. Simmer on medium-low heat for approximately 4 hours, or until the vegetables are cooked.
13. Serve with egg noodles or rice.
Tags: Cook Wild, Cook Wild Snapping, medium-low heat, Snapping Turtle, snapping turtles, turtle upside