How to Prepare Squirrel For Cooking 
If you’re wondering how to prepare squirrel for cooking, read this article! You’ll learn about squirrel preparation and safety, as well as the best time of year to hunt for squirrels. Then, you’ll have the knowledge you need to successfully prepare and cook squirrel meat. Here are a few steps to take:
Recipes with squirrel meat
There are many different types of recipes that feature squirrel meat in them. For example, you can bake it in the oven with bacon, onion, and maple syrup to make it taste delicious. It can also be served with rice. A delicious dish that involves a long simmer is called a squirrel casserole. It is a wonderful dish that is both fork tender and full of flavor. A great wine to serve with squirrel is a red wine, especially with a heavier dish like a casserole. For the best pairing with this delicious dish, try a Chardonnay from Michael David Winery.
To make the fried squirrel, first, coat the pieces with flour. Next, dip them in egg wash to remove excess moisture. Fry them in hot oil until they are golden brown and crispy. Make sure to coat all sides of the pieces with flour before frying. Be sure to flip them over halfway, as the moisture from the egg wash may seep through the breading. You can also use a Dutch oven or large saucepan to deep-fry the squirrel.
Safety of squirrel meat
Squirrel meat is safe to eat, but you must know the right cooking method for it. Although it is a good source of protein, it should be cooked well to avoid contamination with pathogens. Cook it at a temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit and rest for at least three minutes before serving. If you’re planning to grill your squirrel meat, you should use a basic brine before cooking it. To make this brine, add half a cup of kosher salt to one quart of water.
Squirrel meat is high in iron, vitamins B12 and B6, and niacin. Vitamin B12 is essential for building red blood cells, while vitamin B6 keeps the nervous system and brain functioning properly. Niacin helps to convert food into energy. It also helps keep the skin and digestive tract healthy. Squirrel meat contains high amounts of cholesterol, which may be dangerous for some people.
Preparation
To begin preparing squirrel for cooking, remove the skin and dredge it in flour mixture. Place the squirrel in a Dutch oven or skillet. Heat the oil to 350 degrees and add a bit of water. Once the oil reaches this temperature, add the squirrel and brown in batches. Then, scoop out the meat from the bones. Afterwards, toss the meat in flour again. Fry it in batches of one to two pieces at a time. It’s best to keep the oil temperature high as to avoid the meat from reducing rapidly.
When it comes to preparing squirrel for cooking, the best way is to cook it slowly. Slow cooking helps release the flavor and breaks down tougher meat. This method also requires little preparation, which makes it a popular choice among chefs and novice cooks. All you have to do is chop the squirrel and cook it in a stew of vegetables and stock steeped in red wine. After eight hours, the meat will be tender and slide off the bone.
Best time of year to hunt for squirrels
The best time of year to hunt for squirrels for food is in the fall and early spring. During the cold winter months, squirrels tend to hibernate, which limits their movement. In the spring, squirrels are active throughout the day, but peak activity tends to happen during dawn and dusk. It’s best to get to the food source about 15 minutes before sunrise, stalk for about 30 minutes, and then shoot at them. While gray squirrels are most active between dawn and dusk, fox squirrels start foraging at dusk.
Spring can be a hot time, but the temperature will still be warm enough to make hunting for squirrels a pleasant experience. In general, the best time to hunt for squirrels for food is early mornings. However, some days are cloudy and overcast, which are also great times to hunt. A few degrees of cooler temperatures will also spawn a feeding frenzy among squirrels during daylight hours.
How do you prepare a squirrel for cooking?
First you must clean the squirrel.
This involves removing the entrails and washing the body cavity with clean water.
Next you need to remove the head feet and skin.
The skin can be removed by either peeling or singeing it.
Once the squirrel is cleaned and prepped it can be cooked in any number of ways.
What is the best way to clean a squirrel prior to cooking it?
The best way to clean a squirrel is to remove the entrails and wash the body cavity with clean water.
How do you remove the entrails from a squirrel?
The entrails can be removed by cutting them out with a sharp knife.
How do you remove the head feet and skin from a squirrel?
The head feet and skin can be removed by either peeling or singeing them.
What is the best way to remove the skin from a squirrel?
The best way to remove the skin from a squirrel is to either peeling or singeing it.
How do you remove the head from a squirrel?
The head can be removed by cutting it off with a sharp knife.
How do you remove the feet from a squirrel?
The feet can be removed by cutting them off with a sharp knife.
How do you singe the hair off a squirrel?
The hair can be singed off a squirrel by holding it over an open flame.
How do you cook a squirrel?
Squirrel can be cooked in any number of ways.
Some popular methods include roasting grilling frying and stewing.
What is the best way to roast a squirrel?
The best way to roast a squirrel is to first remove the entrails and wash the body cavity with clean water.
Next remove the head feet and skin.
The skin can be removed by either peeling or singeing it.
Once the squirrel is cleaned and prepped it can be roasted in an oven at a moderate temperature until cooked through.
What is the best way to grill a squirrel?
The best way to grill a squirrel is to first remove the entrails and wash the body cavity with clean water.
Next remove the head feet and skin.
The skin can be removed by either peeling or singeing it.
Once the squirrel is cleaned and prepped it can be grilled over an open flame until cooked through.
What is the best way to fry a squirrel?
The best way to fry a squirrel is to first remove the entrails and wash the body cavity with clean water.
Next remove the head feet and skin.
The skin can be removed by either peeling or singeing it.
Once the squirrel is cleaned and prepped it can be fried in a pan with oil until cooked through.
What is the best way to stew a squirrel?
The best way to stew a squirrel is to first remove the entrails and wash the body cavity with clean water.
Next remove the head feet and skin.
The skin can be removed by either peeling or singeing it.
Once the squirrel is cleaned and prepped it can be placed in a pot with water and stewed until cooked through.
How long does it take to cook a squirrel?
The amount of time it takes to cook a squirrel will vary depending on the chosen method.
Roasting and grilling typically take around 30-45 minutes while frying and stewing can take up to an hour or longer.
What temperature should you cook a squirrel at?
The ideal temperature for cooking a squirrel depends on the chosen method.
Roasting and grilling should be done at a moderate temperature around 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Frying and stewing can be done at a higher temperature around 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Jessica Watson is a PHD holder from the University of Washington. She studied behavior and interaction between squirrels and has presented her research in several wildlife conferences including TWS Annual Conference in Winnipeg.
