Can you eat possum ?
Yes, unlike eating owls it's legal and safe to eat possums. I personally would't eat American's only marsupial but those who do say it has a gamey taste to it.
If you want to give possum a try, here are some tasty possum recipes.
Possum Stew
Grilled Possum Skewers
Possum Pie
Roasted Possum with Vegetables
Possum Curry
Possum and Potato Bake
Possum Soup
Braised Possum in Red Wine
Possum Casserole
Possum BBQ Ribs
| Name | Ingredients | Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| Possum Stew | Possum meat, potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, beef broth, salt, pepper | Combine all ingredients in a pot and simmer until meat is tender. |
| Grilled Possum Skewers | Possum meat, bell peppers, onions, skewers, BBQ sauce | Skewer meat and vegetables, grill, and brush with BBQ sauce. |
| Possum Pie | Possum meat, pie crust, onions, mushrooms, gravy, mixed herbs | Bake possum meat with onions, mushrooms, and gravy in a pie crust. |
| Roasted Possum with Vegetables | Whole possum, potatoes, carrots, green beans, olive oil, rosemary | Roast possum with vegetables and herbs until golden brown. |
| Possum Curry | Possum meat, coconut milk, curry paste, onions, garlic, ginger | Cook possum meat with curry paste and coconut milk until flavors meld. |
| Possum and Potato Bake | Possum meat, potatoes, cheese, cream, garlic, thyme | Layer sliced potatoes and possum meat, top with cheese and bake. |
| Possum Soup | Possum meat, vegetable broth, carrots, celery, herbs, salt | Boil possum meat with vegetables and herbs to make a hearty soup. |
| Braised Possum in Red Wine | Possum meat, red wine, onions, garlic, carrots, beef stock | Braise possum in red wine and beef stock with vegetables. |
| Possum Casserole | Possum meat, rice, cream of mushroom soup, broccoli, cheese | Mix possum meat, rice, soup, and broccoli; top with cheese and bake. |
| Possum BBQ Ribs | Possum ribs, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, garlic, vinegar | Marinate ribs in BBQ sauce mixture and grill until tender. |
How to cook possum
Regardless of the recipe you choose, you'll need to be prepared to make opposum meat more tender. Adult possum meat is naturally very tough and will need to broken down significantly before it becomes palatable.
Follow these simple tips to ensure you don't end up with leather-like possum meat.
Clean and Dress the Meat: Begin by properly cleaning and dressing the possum meat. Remove the fur, internal organs, and thoroughly rinse the meat under cold water.
Marinate: Marinate the meat for several hours or overnight in a mixture of acidic ingredients like vinegar or lemon juice, and flavorful herbs and spices. This helps to tenderize the meat.
Slow Cooking: Simmer the possum meat at a low temperature. Slow cooking methods such as braising or stewing are ideal as they allow the tough fibers in the meat to break down gradually.
Use Moist Heat: Incorporate moist heat cooking methods, like cooking in a covered pot with broth or sauce, to keep the meat moist and tender.
Avoid Overcooking: Keep a close watch on the cooking time. Overcooking can make the meat tough and dry.
Let it Rest: After cooking, let the meat rest for a few minutes before cutting. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it more tender.
Cut Against the Grain: When slicing the meat, cut against the grain. This cuts through the muscle fibers, making the meat easier to chew.
Consider Pressure Cooking: If available, use a pressure cooker to cook the possum meat. The high-pressure environment is very effective for tenderizing tougher meats.
With the right sauces and cooking methods possum meat can be a delicious treat for those brave enough to try. But, if you find the animal too repulsive to make a meal of, check out my article on eating iguanas.
