Georgia’s Kitchen: Fixing Wild Game

Georgia Diehm

When I saw these instructions on how to dress a squirrel, it brought back memories of home. When I was growing up, my brothers would go hunting and fishing. Quite often they would bring home some rabbits, squirrels or bullheads (that’s fish for anyone who wonders). Whatever they could get, Mom would cook it up.

May I add, that I never acquired much of a taste for wild game…and even less for dressing it! In our early marriage, my husband used to go squirrel hunting. I always found someone to pass them on to!

But like the pioneers and people living through the Great Depression era, I would have eaten them. I’m sure I ate some that Mom cooked for us. It was called “survival”. May I remember to thank the good Lord for his daily blessings and to share with those who are less fortunate.

I’m not knocking those who love to hunt. It’s a great way to stretch those dollars & some people love the meat & the sport.

How to Dress Squirrels

Cut off forefeet at first joint; cut skin around first joint of hind legs. Loosen it with sharp knife slit the skin on the under side of legs & tail. Loosen the skin and turn back until it is removed from the hind legs. Draw the skin over the head, slipping out the forelegs when reached. Cut off end of nose & thus remove the entire skin. Wipe squirrel with a damp cloth. Remove entrails (heart & liver are edible). An added note: An ingenious way to remove skin readily is to slip tip of bicycle pump under skins of legs. The pressure of the air does the trick neatly.

Squirrel Pie

• Dress 4 squirrels & cut into suitable pieces to serve. Soak overnight in lightly salted water.
• Wash well and (parboil *)15 min.
• Rinse well with hot water & simmer in 2 cups water until tender, about 1 hr.
• Remove meat to a pastry lined deep dish (which has an inverted cup in the center).
• Thicken & season the gravy, adding 2 tbs. butter & pour over meat. Top with tiny baking powder biscuits or a pastry crust. Bake in a hot oven (450) until crust is well browned.

At least 4 squirrels are needed to fill a 2 qt. pie dish. Serves 6. Bottom crust may be omitted.

Note:(*Parboil means to cook partially by boiling)

Stewed Rabbits With Onion

• Clean a pair of nice rabbits: soak in cold salt water for 1 hr to draw out blood; put in a large saucepan with cold water, enough to cover them. Salt slightly and stew until tender.
•  Slice into another pot 1/2 dozen young onions & boil in very little water until thoroughly done.
• Drain off water.
• Stir the onions into 1/2 cup butter. Pepper to taste & when it simmers add the juice of a lemon.
• Lay hares in a hot dish & pour over them the onion sauce. Let the dish stand in a warm place, closely covered 5 min before sending to the table.