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Country food - not for queamish or vegetarians

By Guest, in The Nesting Box

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Guest

Guest

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One of my friends phoned last night, to ask if I wanted any rabbits, as she had had half a dozen and they were now in her freezer; wild rabbits that is, we get a bit overrun with them in these parts, to say the least.

 

OH was eavesdropping whilst watching some soap on the T.V. (that’s the only time men can do two things at once isn’t it?) Joke you guys, don’t lynch me.

 

I asked how many rabbits I could have, and she said as many as I liked so I said 6 or 10 if she didn’t want them. OH’s head swivelled and with a face like thunder he said, ‘No, you’re not having any rabbits' – (that is the edited version). I was flabbergasted as he likes rabbit stew as much as I do! My friend had heard his remark on the other end of the phone and sounded shocked as well.

 

It dawned on me then, that after getting my way with the chickens, and having been pulling his leg about getting an Eglu for rabbits next, he must have thought that I was going to fill the garden with 6 or 10 live rabbits! It did make me laugh! - And my friend too!

 

So today I will be skinning rabbits and freezing them. Hmmm I wonder if she can get any pheasants, I haven’t had any yet this year.

 

Many years ago I used to be a vegetarian, but over a number of years it made me ill as unbeknown to me, despite eating a healthy diet, I was gradually depleting my body of trace elements like magnesium etc.

 

We did not have all the pills and potions readily available then to take, but I doubt if I would have taken them even if we had.

 

So I did the sensible thing for me and compromised!

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Lesley Eggsistentialist

Lesley

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We had three furry rabbits delivered to our door last night as well!

 

I was vegetarian for 25 years and didn't suffer any health problems and didn't take supplements either but started to eat meat for different reasons. I still don't eat much and only properly sourced. Can't get more local then wild rabbits!

 

Lauren and Jake will be helping to skin rabbits tonight after school.

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Guest

Guest

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I am going to make all sorts of things, I will post them on my blog as I go.

 

Not just stews. You can mince rabbit, use it just as you would chickens, curry it, make pies, .........lots and lots.

 

When my children were young and pennies were very tight as they often were for most people. I used to tell my sons that they were having chicken, and they never knew the difference. Obviously they would have it if was served up as a Sunday roast on a carving plate :lol::lol::lol:

 

It has a lovely taste - totally organic - and young ones, as these are, are sublime. And if they happen to be the ones from up the lotties who have eaten so much this year they will taste even better!

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Guest

Guest

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If you have rabbits this time of year, they do not smell too gamey. I once got some in the summer to skin an although they were just a few hours did they did smell a bit stronger but fine when they were skinned and washed.

 

They still haven't arrived yet, so am still surfing the forum.

 

:D

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becks Chicken Eggspert

becks

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gosh not sure i could skin a rabbit but could definitely eat one though! I used to go a friends when i was little and they always told me it was chicken stew and often it was either rabbit or one of their goats - delicious! Just out of interest how did the bunnies get killed, to the locals trap them or shoot them? I wonder if fox could become a delicacy!!! :shock:

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Popcorn Feathery Fanatic

Popcorn

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I'm not sure how I'd be with skinning a rabbit. I reckon I'd last 5 minutes before fainting - and my Dad a butcher too, you'd think I'd be used to it.

 

I've never tasted Rabbit or Pheasant, probably being bought up in an urban working class area of the west mids had something to do with it!

 

My horizons have broadened somewhat since I left home (albeit 15 years ago) and my diet is much healthier and more organic these days, and I am getting better and more adventurous at cooking.

 

I do get inspired a lot with the forum, but skining a rabbit I'm afraid I'll have to pass on.

 

:D

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Popcorn Feathery Fanatic

Popcorn

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I'm fine thank you Clare :D - expanding a little round the middle, but still in my civvies, so not many people have twigged yet!

 

Meanwhile - back on topic,

 

I could eat all of the above Kaz, I just couldn't kill it, skin it, chop it etc first.

 

I might have to ask my Dad about getting me a rabbit (ready to put in the oven first of course)

 

Diverting again, I cooked a chicken at the weekend, and the texture of the uncooked skin to touch made me feel sick - a pregnancy thing I reckon :roll:

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Popcorn Feathery Fanatic

Popcorn

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It is just what you are bought up on isn't it?

It becomes the norm. My Mum had an irrational fear of worms. I have it to. How harmless are worms :roll:

 

I'd like to be able to rear my own live stock for food, but I'd be in bits, and would end up with a whole farms worth of animals!

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Guest

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Just finished and all but one in the freezer. I had asked how the rabbits were caught/killed etc. There are several ways they do it in the country. I did not want ferreted ones as I couldn't bare to think of the chasing bit. Probably think I am hypocritical.

 

These were caught in a cages with food as bait and very quickly and humanely I am told, dispatched instantly and painlessly.

 

I have bought some in the past already prepared from a butcher with a gaming licence when I lived in Bedfordshire and there were warning signs on all his game that you had to beware of the gunshot!

 

The rabbits showed no sign of injury. They weighted in total once prepared, almost 20 pounds, and cost £5.

 

So for a little bit of work (1 1/2 hours) a backache, because it is my age, I have some nice meals to look forward to.

 

It was how they used to live years ago - the hunter gatherer thing, so whilst I was not brought up to country ways and am an (incomer) as they call us here, it is good to embrace the traditions of where you live, and I have gained many friends through doing so.

 

Glad some of you enjoy rabbit too. Sometimes, as Lesley mentioned with her chickens for the table, one wonders whether to introduce what could be a controversial topic, but as it was just something I happened to be doing to day, I thought I would.

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Mel (& Paul) Eggcentric Egluowner

Mel (& Paul)

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I love rabbit (prefer the trapped ones rather than the shot ones if only to save my teeth!!) I also love pheasant, partridge, grouse, pigeon etc. etc. we have a great butcher nearby that does all these things and the good thing is they are all free range until they are dispatched! I made a lovely (well I thought it was lovely!) casserole for my mum and dad on Saturday - pheasant, venison, and pigeon with shallots and bacon and mushrooms (and a whole bottle or red wine!) served with roasted potatoes, parstnips, carotts and butternut squash (all roasted in goose fat!). Hardened arteries here I come :roll:

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