Squirrel Pie – A Great Organic Dish

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The leaves are about down from the trees so it’s getting to that time of year; squirrel hunting season is upon us.

 

Squirrel hunting is a popular fall time activity and is often the first type of hunting that a Father takes his young son into the woods to experience.  It’s not a real difficult hunt but it does require an understanding of the basics of hunter safety and provides a great day in the woods, and that is the stuff that memories are built upon.  Early in the season, when the fall color is in bloom, squirrels are hard to locate so when the leaves begin to fall it’s time to get serious about getting out there and bagging a few of those bushy tails.

 

Squirrel meat is an under rated table fare.  We hunt the fox squirrel, the prince of the species.  This is nature’s finest organic meat.  They eat nuts and berries and other grains that nature provides and when harvested, the meat is mild in flavor and rich in texture. 

 

There are many ways to prepare squirrel, but my favorite is to create a stew and serve it covered with biscuit dough as a squirrel pie.  Here is how it’s done.

 

• Quarter about four squirrels.  The hind quarters, front legs and back.  Cut the back into two sections.

 

• Place the squirrel sections in a pot with seasoned water.  Salt, pepper corns, two bay leaves and dried organic thyme.  Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat so you have rolling boil.  Cook for 15 – 20 minutes or until the meat is tender and you will able to de-bone it.

 

• In separate pan add the following ingredients:
• 3 stalks celery – chopped
• 3 carrots – chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• ½ stick of butter

 

• Cook over medium heat for a few minutes or until onion is soft.  Add 1/4 cup of flour and continue to stir until flour begins to brown.  Don’t over cook the rue.

 

Drain the squirrel, retaining about 1 cup of the liquid from the pot.  Debone the squirrel pieces and set meat aside.

 

Add the cup of liquid you set aside to the vegetable rue you have created and stir.  It will thicken quickly.  Now add one or two cups of chicken stock and the squirrel meat.  Let it simmer for 10 -15 minutes.  Season to taste.  Salt and pepper and if you want to kick it up a bit, add a teaspoon of organic red pepper flake to the mix.

 

Pour your mixture into a baking dish or large pie tin and cover with biscuit doe or drop biscuit mixture.  Place in a 350 degree oven and cook until biscuits are baked and ready.

Spoon into a large bowl and serve extra biscuits on the side.

 

Enjoy!