1) You do not have a sense of humour
2) Think all wild animals wear country gent costumes and talk to each other when we ‘humans’ aren’t watching
3) Are a vegetarian person
You may find it offensive.
Ok so it’s Christmas and a credit crunch one at that. In the next 12 blog entries, in fact each day leading up to Christmas I will give you an idea how you, the humble farmer, can control the vermin on your land and cook up a tasty dish… for free!! Please enjoy, share your own recipes of your ‘Farmers Foe Fayre’. Feel free to send in pictures of your finished dishes.
Farmers Foe Christmas Fayre No 11:
Grey Squirrel:
An introduced pest, Grey squirrels have survived repeated Government-sanctioned attempts at extermination by shooting, trapping and poisoning. Greys do considerable damage to trees when present in large numbers. They attack trees in early summer gnawing at the main stem, seeking the sweet, sappy layers immediately beneath the bark. Sometimes the tree is completely ringed and as a consequence will die. If it doesn't die then it will usually be checked or spoilt. This is especially relevant to farmers as custodians of the countryside who are doing their bit to revive replenish and replant woodlands.
It is now illegal to import a grey squirrel or keep one as a pet. They will adapt to any area covered by trees, whether broad leaved or conifer, with an average density of about 5 per acre. Greys will live in suburban parks and gardens, becoming tame enough to feed from the hand.
Roast Squirrels courtesy of Matthew Parris of The Times.
3 Grey squirrels
¾ cup cooking oil
¼ cup lemon juice
2 cups breadcrumbs
½ cup milk or cream
1 cup sliced mushrooms, sautéed
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon onion juice
4 tablespoons olive oil or bacon fat
Dress and clean squirrels, wash in several changes of water and dry. Cover with cooking oil mixed with lemon juice and let stand for 1 hour. Combine crumbs with just enough milk to moisten, mushrooms, salt, pepper and onion juice. Stuff squirrels with this mixture, sew and truss. Place in roaster. Brush with olive oil or bacon fat. Roast uncovered in slow oven (325F) until tender, 1½ to 1¾ hours. Baste every 15 minutes with fat. Serve with pan gravy. Serves 6.
Squirrel pelts useful for mittens, hair makes useful material for tying artificial Salmon and Trout flies. An for the nature lover, the hair also makes excellent material for bird nesting boxes!
More suggestions available at:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/matthew_parris/article3933510.ece
Disclaimer
The views in this blog post are my own. I have not tried any of these recipes, so don’t blame me if it all goes wrong. I have included links and credits where applicable.
Some of the animals mentioned in the blog are protected species so please refer to www.defra.gov.uk before turning the gas on.
We take no responsibility what so ever for indigestion or law suits which may arise if you do not take heed!!!
Bon appétit
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