Known locally as simply a possum, this southern marsupial is my sister Ramey's favorite animal. She thinks they're just the sweetest critters. They are cute, except when you nearly step on one in the dark and he hisses at you (I speak from experience).
Although I have never eaten a possum or any part thereof, I hear they're quite tasty. The quintessential possum recipe is Possum & Taters, a version of which appears below for your culinary enjoyment.
Possum and Taters
Ingredients:
1 young o'possum
8 sweet potatoes
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon sugar
bacon strips
thyme, marjoram, and/or pepper
salt
Directions: First, catch a possum. This in itself is excellent entertainment on a moonlight night. Place the captive possum in a cage and feed him corn until he's fat and juicy. (This is the step the possum enjoys most.) Dispatch the possum by some humane means (this is the main reason I could never eat one). Skin the possum and remove the head and feet. Be sure to wash the beast thoroughly. Freeze overnight either outside or in a refrigerator. (I'm not sure why freezing is a requirement, but that's what it says. Edit: One asute blogger comments that freezing might serve to kill the worms.)
When ready to cook, peel the potatoes and boil them tender in lightly salted water along with the butter and sugar. At the same time, stew the possum tender in a tightly covered pan with a little water. Arrange the taters around the possum, strip with bacon, sprinkle with thyme or marjoram, or pepper, and brown in the oven. Baste often with the drippings.
Please don't tell my sister that I advocate eating possums. She would kill me.
I've developed a snotty cold, so I'm going to get a book and crawl back into bed.
This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.
On 08/30/2007, Rian said ...
Possums give me the creeps. I think they serve no earthly purpose. I seldom see them except as roadkill, with their red eyes and pink tail. Ugly things.
On 08/30/2007, Deb said ...
Surely, surely you jest! I can't believe folks eat them!
Sorry you're not well with a summer cold. So far we've avoided one. Hope you feel much better soon.
On 08/30/2007, Pam said ...
Ewwww. Was this recipe in a cook book you have on hand - LOL.
As for the freezing - it could be to kill any worms that the possum might have?? But then that's even more Ewwww -- LOL. I guess in reality it would be like eating rabbit.
On 08/31/2007, Diane said ...
My goodness, the alphabet is just flying by, isn't it?
Whatever will you post for P?
:D
On 08/31/2007, mom2fur said ...
Hey, at least it ain't roadkill stew. I'll tell you something funny...my aunt didn't know until recently that an Opossum and Possum were the same animal!
They are cute, though!
I had one of those colds two weeks ago...ugh, nothing like a summer cold! Feel better, Susan!
On 08/31/2007, Susan Lenz said ...
Hi!
I think the photo of your possum is definitely cuter than a real possum! We have a few in my neighborhood. I'm not a fan. Your recent "N" entries were wonderful to read.
Susan
On 08/31/2007, Nicole said ...
Hmmm. Not sure I will be following your recipe this time! I think they look like big rats.
On 09/03/2007, Miriam said ...
O is for OOOOhhh My Lord!! This is terrible! Aren't there enough animals for us to eat already? Poor things!
Sorry, I don't mean to be rude but the other night one of these critters came to our deck in the back of the house. I got the flashlight and went out there to see it. It had run to the nearest tree and I managed to get close enough to check it good. The little hands, the very pink nose and ears so thin that they look like paper, and the shinniest pair of eyes I have ever seen. I could never kill one! Oh, the scary part was when it (bored with me, I suppose) let a big yawn... it's mouth opened wide like a pair of scissors.
Have a great day.
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