So squirrel is appearing on many upmarket menus. I for one think that it's a brilliant idea.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/hereford/worcs/4608151.stm

I wouldn't fancy it myself but as the grey squirrel population is reaching a point where culling would be a good idea, this seems to be killing two birds with one stone. ;)

I hear that the fluffy, cuddly brigade on are their high horses about it.

Bearing in mind that they grey squirrel has all but driven our native red squirrel to extinction and that it is a very aggressive creature, regularly taking young chicks from birds nests. Link that to all the damage that the greys can do if they find their way into your loft, not to mention all the flower bulbs that they munch away and they are a thoroughly unpleasant creatures.

What do you think?

Originally posted by Mo
So squirrel is appearing on many upmarket menus. I for one think that it's a brilliant idea.

Bearing in mind that they grey squirrel has all but driven our native red squirrel to extinction and that it is a very aggressive creature, regularly taking young chicks from birds nests. Link that to all the damage that the greys can do if they find their way into your loft, not to mention all the flower bulbs that they munch away and they are a thoroughly unpleasant creatures.

What do you think?

I think that's thin ice to be skating on because with that criteria 'domestic cat' should also be on the menu, but I can't see it just being the 'fluffy, cuddly brigade' 'on their high horses' about it :suspect:

Here are a few recipes for you to enjoy, although there aren't many opossums in Manor Park, there could be some interesting wild life that would suffice.

http://www.beckysisland.com/recipesverystrange.html

Good idea, We used to have real problems with greys on the farm and had to take measures against them otherwise they would disrupt the balance between all the other wildlife as due to the environment their numbers flourished at an alarming rate.

One chap I know used to curry the hind legs, he reckoned that they were the only really edible bits. Never understood the attraction myself.

Originally posted by Strix
I think that's thin ice to be skating on because with that criteria 'domestic cat' should also be on the menu, but I can't see it just being the 'fluffy, cuddly brigade' 'on their high horses' about it :suspect:

Have to admit, I was very tempted to make that analogy myself but I know how hard the pussy lovers on the Forum would take that :hihi:

Originally posted by Mo
I know how hard the pussy lovers on the Forum would take that :hihi:

This is a good example of why i always read my post before i hit the send button. :hihi:

what about rats - available in much greater numbers and they are easily farmed.

Originally posted by Phanerothyme
what about rats - available in much greater numbers and they are easily farmed.

Won't they squish against the glass? :loopy:

EDIT

Oh Farmed, I thought you meant Framed, Have to get mi lamps tested :hihi:

Presumably squirrels wouldn't go down very well with those people who have a nut allergy.:)

Originally posted by viking
This is a good example of why i always read my post before i hit the send button. :hihi:
I'm sure even you couldn't top that one Viking :hihi:

Originally posted by metalman
Presumably squirrels wouldn't go down very well with those people who have a nut allergy.:)

Prime Squirrel Mince
May contain nuts

:hihi:

Originally posted by Phanerothyme
what about rats - available in much greater numbers and they are easily farmed.

If someone could actually guarantee the quality of the meat and the health of the animals would anyone actually eat it? IMO they'd have to be pretty flipping desperate although it worked in the James Clavell book "King Rat", fortunately by the grace of God we're not detained in a Japanese POW camp.

Originally posted by Strix
I think that's thin ice to be skating on because with that criteria 'domestic cat' should also be on the menu, but I can't see it just being the 'fluffy, cuddly brigade' 'on their high horses' about it :suspect: I think you'll find that grey squirrels, unlike red squirrels, are classed as vermin because they're not domestically native to the UK.

A grey squirrel cannot legally be released back into the wild after, for example, it has been treated for an injury, and therefore has to be caged for the rest of its life....that in itself sounds rather cruel, so perhaps putting it on the menu is the answer.

All that being said, I don't think I'll be trying it :gag:

I thought rat was already on the menu in some areas? The ones where people have given up owning cats coz hey keep disappearing :suspect:

St John's restaurant (http://www.stjohnbreadandwine.com/) in London apparently sometimes has squirrel on the menu. I've not spotted any when I've been there, but if I do I'll be sure to try it and let you know what it's like.

Originally posted by Swan_Vesta
If someone could actually guarantee the quality of the meat and the health of the animals would anyone actually eat it? IMO they'd have to be pretty flipping desperate although it worked in the James Clavell book "King Rat", fortunately by the grace of God we're not detained in a Japanese POW camp.

I wouldn't think there's smuch difference between a rat and a squirrel in terms of culinary outcome.

And side by side on a dish, roasted rat and roasted squirrel are going to look pretty similar.

In a paté, who is going to know the difference?

Originally posted by Phanerothyme
I wouldn't think there's smuch difference between a rat and a squirrel in terms of culinary outcome.
I dunno, squirrels live pretty much exclusively on nuts don't they? Whereas rats eat any old ****, literally. I know which I'd rather eat.

BTW, James Hamilton-Paterson's book Cooking with Fernet Branca (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0571220916/sumptionorg-21) has some great recipes using smoked cat.

Originally posted by DanSumption
I dunno, squirrels live pretty much exclusively on nuts don't they? Whereas rats eat any old ****, literally. I know which I'd rather eat.

BTW, James Hamilton-Paterson's book Cooking with Fernet Branca (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0571220916/sumptionorg-21) has some great recipes using smoked cat.

I hope the Fernet tastes better after cooking than before, because it has to be the worlds worst tasting fluid....but magic for hangovers :D

I cant see a problem with eating squirell myself fluffy brigade or not, to me its no different to duck, pidgeon or rabbit.

Cant say they would make a hearty meal though they are very small.

oh yeah they are viscious little b**gers too my old dog went upto one (in a non agressive way) just for a sniff and the thing striped him across his nose and left it bleeding the little G1T

Originally posted by owdlad
I hope the Fernet tastes better after cooking than before, because it has to be the worlds worst tasting fluid....but magic for hangovers :D
Yeah, it's horrible from what I've heard, but turn it into a little Fernet & garlic ice-cream and... it's like a totally different kind of sick foodstuff.

Seriously, you should read the book. Great recipe for fish-cake. No, not the small potato-and-fish pattie variety. The birthday cake variety. Only with smoked mackrel in.

Originally posted by soupy
oh yeah they are viscious little b**gers too my old dog went upto one (in a non agressive way) just for a sniff and the thing striped him across his nose and left it bleeding the little G1T
Probably the squirrel's way of saying "pick on someone your own size". To be fair, do you really think the squirrel knew your dog's intentions were non-agressive. I know my dog only has to see one half-a-mile away and he starts foaming, he's forever chasing squirrels. One day he will catch on. And, no doubt, get a bloody nose for his efforts.

Surely the man for the job here is Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall who can make a meal out of just about anything, however unpromising (e.g. woodlice, placenta, just a couple of the ones I remember on his programme). I'm sure he could come up with something tasty involving a squirrel or two.

I think if you are going to eat rodents, then Guinea Pigs are the answer, as they have a long history as a foodstuff, and probably taste pretty good.

Grey squirrels will eat anything - birds eggs being a favourite, but I've seen them stealing kitchen waste from a compost heap too.

Reports from St John's restaurant, including deep fried/roasted squirrels, here (http://www.london-eating.co.uk/103.htm)


...while it was in its gameyness reminiscent of pheasant and rabbit, both meats I like, it managed to not be anything like as nice as either. But at least I can now say "I had squirrel & chips" and therefore sound vaguely interesting.

Originally posted by Phanerothyme
I think if you are going to eat rodents, then Guinea Pigs are the answer, as they have a long history as a foodstuff, and probably taste pretty good.


Now you see I'd be up for that - guinea pigs look like they're meant to be eaten. Certain things look tasty and guinea pigs are one of them ......... I expect they'd taste a bit like chicken.

Get enough of them to make a hearty meal and you have the added bonus of getting the material for a stylish hat :D

Like metalman I saw the episode of River Cottage with Hugh Fearnley Whittingwotnot, I was impressed & am willing to try squirrell.
So Impressed I have 2 of his books.
I have to say his Blackberry wine recipe turned out very well!

As I have the priviledge of millions of years of evolution behind me installing me at the top of the food chain; I'd like to eat one of every type/species of God's creatures (ommitting canibalism - of course :D ) before I go to meat my maker.

Animals I have eaten so far:
Sheep. Cow. Pig. Many varied sea creatures including whelk. Deer. Ostrich. Kangaroo. Wood Pidgeon. Turkey. Chicken. Goose. Duck. Pheasant. Partridge. Wild Boar. Rabbit. Aligator.

There's probably more but will have to ponder ...

And for all the other meatahollics - go to Doncaster market on a Friday to get weired animals to try :thumbsup:

Originally posted by Don_Kiddick
go to Doncaster market on a Friday to get weired animals to try :thumbsup:
:shocked: I've heard things about Doncaster market on a Friday :suspect:

Actually, I've seen it :shocked: :shocked: but this is a family forum :(

:hihi: :hihi: yeah but that's after dark innit? :heyhey:

Originally posted by Don_Kiddick
:hihi: :hihi: yeah but that's after dark innit? :heyhey:
Oh, that's not what you meant then? ;)

Why eat Grey squirrel when there are still a few reds left to eat? :loopy:

You would not drink Turps if wine was on offer.

Cannot get my breath sometimes with forum members logic.:hihi:

Squirrel? What's next ... hamster?