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Alright, let’s talk ’bout cookin’ up some possum. I ain’t no fancy chef, ya hear? Just an old woman who knows her way around the kitchen, and I’ve cooked up a possum or two in my day.
First thing’s first, you gotta get yourself a possum. Now, I ain’t gonna tell you how to do that. That’s your business. But make sure it’s a good, healthy one. You don’t want no skinny, sickly thing. Look for a fat one, that’s what I say. Fat means flavor, you know.
Once you got your possum, you gotta clean it. This ain’t for the faint of heart, let me tell ya. You gotta skin it, gut it, and all that nasty stuff. Wash it good, real good. Inside and out. Nobody wants to eat a dirty possum, that’s for sure. Use plenty of water, and maybe some vinegar if you got it. Gets rid of that wild smell, ya know.
- Possum Stew: This is a good ol’ standby. Cut up your possum into pieces, not too big, not too small. Get yourself a big pot, and throw in some onions, carrots, and potatoes. Whatever veggies you got on hand, really. Add some water, salt, pepper, and whatever spices you like. I like to throw in a bay leaf or two, gives it a nice flavor. Let it simmer for a few hours, till the possum is nice and tender. You’ll know it’s done when it falls right off the bone.
- Roast Possum: Now, this is for when you wanna get fancy, or at least as fancy as an old woman like me gets. After you clean your possum, rub it down with salt, pepper, and some garlic powder. If you got some herbs, like rosemary or thyme, throw those on too. Stick it in the oven at, oh, I don’t know, 350 degrees or so. Cook it for a couple of hours, till it’s cooked through and the skin is crispy. Make sure to baste it every now and then with some water or broth, so it don’t dry out.
- Possum Pie: Never tried it myself, but I heard tell it’s mighty good. You cook up the possum meat, shred it, and mix it with gravy and veggies. Then you pour it into a pie crust and bake it till it’s golden brown. Sounds like a good way to use up leftover possum, if you ever have any of that. Which you probably won’t, cause possum is too good to leave over.
Some folks say possum meat is kinda bland, but I don’t think so. It’s got its own flavor, a little bit like chicken, a little bit like pork. But the real secret is in the seasoning. Don’t be afraid to use plenty of spices. Onions and garlic are a must, in my book. And don’t forget the salt and pepper. You can also add some herbs, like sage or oregano. Experiment a little, see what you like. That’s what cooking is all about, ain’t it?
Now, I know some folks might turn their noses up at eating possum. They think it’s some kind of dirty critter, not fit for human consumption. But I’m here to tell ya, they’re wrong. Possum meat is good, honest food. It’s been eaten by folks like us for generations. And it’s a whole lot better than some of that processed stuff they sell in the stores these days. You know, the kind that’s full of chemicals and preservatives you can’t even pronounce. At least with possum, you know what you’re getting.
And let me tell you another thing, possum is versatile. You can cook it any way you like. You can fry it, bake it, stew it, grill it. You can even make possum jerky, if you’re feeling adventurous. I ain’t never tried that, but I heard it’s pretty good. The possibilities are endless, really. Just use your imagination and your taste buds. And remember, low and slow is the way to go when you are cooking possum meat, make sure it is nice and tender before you eat it, nobody wants to chew on tough meat, ya hear?
So there you have it, my two cents on cooking possum. It ain’t rocket science, that’s for sure. Just good, old-fashioned country cooking. So go on out there, get yourself a possum, and cook it up. You might be surprised how much you like it. And if you don’t like it, well, more for me, I always say!
And one last thing, remember to always cook your possum thoroughly. You don’t want to get sick from undercooked meat, nobody got time for that. Make sure it reaches an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit, just to be safe. Alright? Now get cooking!
Tags: Possum Recipes, Country Cooking, Wild Game, Stew, Roast, Pie, Traditional Food, Southern Cooking, How to Cook Possum, Possum Meat.
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