Turtle recipes?

[rebelp74]

Looking to try something different than sauce piqaunt, gumbo, soup, fried or blackened. Any suggestions?

[assateague]

I make mine like Maryland crab soup, not "traditional" turtle soup. I know it's still soup, but it's a different taste.

[rebelp74]

How is that done? I thought about maybe grilling it but I'm worry about it ending up tasting like swampy chicken.

[assateague]

I'm in bed, but remind me and I'll get the recipe for you tomorrow.

[rebelp74]

Thanks, I already googled it though.

[assateague]

Not sure where you got it from, but most have one thing in common which I leave out, and that's stewed/canned tomatoes. I leave them out, add a little more Old Bay than called for, black pepper, and small cubed red potatoes. Everybody has their own "recipe", but it's really just a variation on the "accepted standard". The turtle goes very, very well in this. I boil the turtle on the bone, then pick it off when it's tender and add to the soup just before serving. I've found in the past that letting it "cook" in the soup makes it a little tough.

[rebelp74]

Just cleaned 2 turtles, the meat looks just like pork. Decided I'm gonna do sauce piquant and try some turtle poppers.

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[assateague]

The neck is the best, IMO. Also, if you cut out the "ribs" coming out from the spine of the shell, there is a very nice tasting "backstrap" under there. This is only worth getting out if it's a nice sized turtle. I use a pair of wire cutters to snip the bones, then the meat just comes right out.

My apologies if you already knew this- I just didn't see them in the meat pic, so thought I'd mention it.

[rebelp74]

The backstrap and neck are under the leg quarters.

[rebelp74]

It was 2 big ones. 30ish lbs. I put 2 more in the freezer that were 40 and 50ish. Here is that above pic washed and brined. Cooking tomorrow!

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[hudson]

wheres the eggs,u gotta eat the eggs

[rebelp74]

No eggs, I ended up making sauce piquant with it. Turned out great. I was expecting it to be a lil gamey or fishy and tough and it was neither. I chunked up the turtle meat, put a quick sear on it. Took it out let it cool while I made a roux and got the sauce p started. Then added the turtle in to finish cooking. Susprsingly tender.

[hudson]

I meant the turtle eggs

[rebelp74]

I know, there were no eggs. I allegedly kept 4 big loggerheads out of my turtle nets. never had turtle eggs either, how are they? I'd imagine stronger than bird eggs.

[hudson]

they are awesome I like the white ones better than the yellows I mash em up in my rice and gravy.

[rebelp74]

Hmm, may have to give it a try next time I find a nest. Ever had gator eggs, I haven't just curious?

[hudson]

I get the eggs out the turtle never found a nest and never had gator eggs either,big females don't like it when u get to close to the mound

[rebelp74]

I get the eggs out the turtle never found a nest and never had gator eggs either,big females don't like it when u get to close to the mound

Those big females make good eating though. The turtles didn't have eggs in em.

[hudson]

I didn't catch a turtle without eggs this year,ya they do my favorite is the cheek meat

[aunt betty]

Are turtle tacos any good?

[rebelp74]

Never had em but I'm sure they would be.