I’d Eat That

PJ Media had a piece on a number of invasive species we should be chowing down on.

Let’s size them up:

Nutria

The first item on the list is the nutria. To be honest, I didn’t think we’d start with a large rodent, but here we are. I once spent an hour or so in a pool in Costa Rica watching these little critters poke around in the garbage behind the house I was renting, and I thought they were pretty cute. Apparently, they’re native to South America, but fur farmers introduced them to North America, and they’ve been wreaking havoc on our marshes, swamplands, and other coastal regions ever since. The Fish and Wildlife Service says, “Their meat is lean, mild, and tastes like rabbit.” I think I’ll pass

Taking a pass seems to be more prevalent with women. I was watching a cooking show back in the day when a dude cooked this up. Herself, coming from Lousiana (where these things are all over) said no way. I’d eat it. I’m sure if it were deep fried, or done in a sauce piquant it would be great.

Northern Snakehead

These things wound up in the Potomac river near where I grew up.

I’d eat that. Predatory fish is usually tasty, as opposed to bottom feeders, like Carp.

Invasive Carp

Apparently, they’re pretty tasty, though, and the Fish and Wildlife Service suggests trying them “grilled, blackened, or turned into crispy fish cakes.”

No thanks. I’ve had carp. Not a fan.

Green Iguana

The Fish and Wildlife Service suggests cooking up an iguana stew and says their meat is often called the “chicken of the trees” because it’s so mild.

I’ll pass on that. Not a big fan of reptile meat. Alligator is OK, but it’s not something I’d order in a restaurant or cook myself. If it’s there, I’ll eat it. Same with Rattlesnake. It’s Ok, but not worth it to me. Besides, I’ve seen a Bizarre Eats episode where he ate that. From what I remember, he wasn’t a fan. If that dude can’t choke it down, I’m not.

Wild Boar

Oh yeah…

I love wild piggy. I’ll eat that any chance I get. There was a restaurant near my old house that had it on the menu. It was fantastic. Matter of fact, I have a new shootin’ iron I need to test out hunting some of these. It’s a cheap hunt around here.