# On eating Squirrels **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 18, 2007, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-eating-squirrels/423152 "2007-10-18T10:13:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-eating-squirrels/423152/1 "2007-10-18T10:13:30Z")
Now I am aware that you Merkins eat Mr Tufty but it appears that we British are about to become a nation of tree rat scoffers. A TV programme the other night demonstrated how to prepare and roast these cute little buggers. These guys took roasted squirrel into a very posh pub and served it up, the patrons were amazed at how good it was and the pub landlord along with quite a few others intend making squirrel a regular dish. Restaurants also are cottoning onto the idea. Personally I like squirrels and thinks it’s bloody outrageous 😛 What next? grilled hedgehog? ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-eating-squirrels/423152/2 "2007-10-18T10:32:07Z")
I’m amazed anyone eats squirrel. Take care with the [brains](http://www.greysquirrel.net/brain.html), though. (_Ewwwww!_) ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-eating-squirrels/423152/3 "2007-10-18T10:36:15Z")
I’m also flabbergasted but it seems that because a squirrels diet consists mainly of nuts the flesh is rather scrummy. I’ll pass on it however and stick to lamb ---
**Author:** ![Ale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Ale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ale)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-eating-squirrels/423152/4 "2007-10-18T10:50:27Z")
[QUOTE=chowder] What next? grilled hedgehog? [/QUOTE] [There ya go…](http://www.omgwipe.gr/) I was actually looking for a cite about something a guy how works here said during lunch, about some tribe where they cook hedgehogs but I wasn´t paying much attention so I don´t have enough details about it. ---
**Author:** ![BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-eating-squirrels/423152/5 "2007-10-18T10:57:11Z")
[QUOTE=chowder] Now I am aware that you Merkins eat Mr Tufty but it appears that we British are about to become a nation of tree rat scoffers. [/QUOTE] Now I’ve hear us called quite a few things by you poofters across the pond, but I [never](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merkin) ! ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-eating-squirrels/423152/6 "2007-10-18T11:01:45Z")
I’ve eaten squirrel, it was OK - sort of like rabbit, but yes, actually a bit nutty-tasting. The specimens they caught on that TV show were gert bigguns though - the one I ate had about as much meat on it as a couple of chicken wings. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-eating-squirrels/423152/7 "2007-10-18T11:07:24Z")
Hey, if you fry it up like chicken, it tastes like chicken… Pretty good, but chicken’s too cheap to bother with squirrels right now. Maybe in the post-apolcalyptic, dystopian world of the future. But I wouldn’t mind the city ones being hunted more often, myself. I’ve thought about putting several squirrel’s heads on pikes around my birdfeeders, just to see if they get the message, but I wouldn’t want my neighbors to think I’m weird. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-eating-squirrels/423152/8 "2007-10-18T11:15:08Z")
Growing up in rural PA I knew plenty of folks who ate squirrels (and rabbits.) I have never tried them. I was weirded out (only a little) to find that in Peru they eat Guinea Pigs. ---
**Author:** ![nonacetone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonacetone/32/2819_2.png) [@nonacetone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nonacetone)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-eating-squirrels/423152/9 "2007-10-18T11:21:50Z")
I’ve got a wonderful recipe for rabbit and/or squirrel. It’s pretty damn tasty, too! I usually only make it in the winter, and we prefer rabbit. Baked Rabbit (or Squirrel) 2 Rabbits (or 8 Squirrel) Oil - for frying 1 C. Flour 1/2 tsp. Salt 1/2 tsp. Pepper 1/2 tsp. Cayenne Pepper - Clean (If you get the rabbit at a farm, they are always already cleaned…unless you ask for them not to be…and there’s no reason for you to do that!) and wash an appropriate number of squirrels or rabbits, about 1/2 animal per person. Squirrel will take more per person. - Cut into serving pieces. - Thoroughly mix flour, salt and the peppers in a paper bag, add the squirrel/rabbit pieces, a few at a time, and shake to coat well. - Remove from bag, and let sit for 5-10 minutes. - Heat oil in a cast iron chicken fryer, until moderately hot, add the meat pieces, and fry until crusty brown, turning as needed. - Remove meat and set aside when done, reserving grease. - Add about 4 Tbsp. of the oil from frying, along with all the brown crusty pieces, and 3/4 C. of water to the fryer. Return meat to the pan. - Cover and bake at 350F. for 45 minutes to an hour, or until the meat pulls easily from the bones. **Don’t let it overcook, or it will become hard and tough** - Remove the meat to a serving platter, reserving all the drippings in the skillet. - Add 2 Tbsp. of the seasoned dredging flour to the pan drippings and heat on the stove top, stirring constantly, until the flour begins to brown. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt. Remove from the heat, add 1 1/2 C. of milk and stir thoroughly, then return to the heat and simmer until the gravy is thickened. - Serve with hot biscuits. Cooking time, for both frying and baking, will depend on the age of the animal. Young squirrel or rabbit will need less time, old squirrel or rabbit may need more, maybe 1 1/2 hour of baking. Check often for tenderness and don’t let it overcook and become tough. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-eating-squirrels/423152/10 "2007-10-18T12:30:51Z")
This thread reminds me of one of my favorite quips from Garrison Keillor (this was from some years ago, and I paraphrase): “A recent poll says that 30% of Californians would consider voting for Arnold Schwarzenegger. Now _consider_ is kind of a funny word. I would _consider_ eating squirrel, but under circumstances which I would prefer to avoid.” Like Garrison, I think I’ll pass on the squirrel for now. ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-eating-squirrels/423152/11 "2007-10-18T12:32:42Z")
I grew up eating both rabbit and squirrel - my father, brothers and I all hunted so we had game fairly regularly during the season. My mother used a recipe very similar to the one above. Just watch out for shot - you may chip your tooth. ---
**Author:** ![nonacetone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonacetone/32/2819_2.png) [@nonacetone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nonacetone)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-eating-squirrels/423152/12 "2007-10-18T12:46:52Z")
My husband and I are seriously considering raising rabbits for our own freezer. It would be SO nice to have rabbit available whenever we want it! ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-eating-squirrels/423152/13 "2007-10-18T13:00:09Z")
In all honesty, and call me a soft bugger, I just couldn’t bring myself to eat squirrel, rabbit or hare…they are such cute rascals. Yes I know, so are lambs, but that’s not the point ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-eating-squirrels/423152/14 "2007-10-18T13:04:12Z")
[QUOTE=chowder] In all honesty, and call me a soft bugger, I just couldn’t bring myself to eat squirrel, rabbit or hare…they are such cute rascals. [/QUOTE] Not when they’re peeled, they’re not - turns out they’re made of meat! ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-eating-squirrels/423152/15 "2007-10-18T13:11:54Z")
Well so are humans, maybe not as cute, but still ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-eating-squirrels/423152/16 "2007-10-18T13:23:38Z")
Yes, but I think you’re not allowed to peel and eat humans. ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-eating-squirrels/423152/17 "2007-10-18T13:33:03Z")
Exactly what do you have against humans, or long pig as we call 'em ---
**Author:** ![The\_Scrivener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-eating-squirrels/423152/18 "2007-10-18T13:36:19Z")
Here’s a wonderful [article](http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/07/magazine/07squirrels-t.html?_r=1&pagewanted=1&oref=slogin) in the NYT Magazine about the intermittently waged grey squirrel eradication campaign in Britain. Turns out the cute 'Merkin buggers were deliberately introduced in the Victorian Era by members of the landed gentry, who initially kept them as curiosities and pets from the former colonies, but tired of them and released them into the woods… but now they outnumber their timid red cousins by more than 10-to-1. It’s a lost cause, although with aggressive human intervention, small enclaves may yet be preserved for the native reds. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-eating-squirrels/423152/19 "2007-10-18T13:36:59Z")
Cecil on [what squirrels eat](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_009b.html) Cecil on [eating squirrels](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_014.html) ---
**Author:** ![Ale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Ale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ale)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-eating-squirrels/423152/20 "2007-10-18T13:45:42Z")
[QUOTE=Mangetout] Yes, but I think you’re not allowed to peel and eat humans. [/QUOTE] No? Oh oh… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-eating-squirrels/423152.md?page=2)