As a meat lover, trying out a new meaty delicacy is always a thing of joy. Have you ever wondered what a raccoon taste like?
Raccoon tastes a lot like chicken; consider a cross between chicken and turkey, that’s the taste of raccoon meat. This meat tastes perfect when cleaned and cooked perfectly.
In this article, I will discuss raccoons, whether they are safe to eat, their taste, their nutritional value, and how to clean and prepare them.
What is a raccoon?
A raccoon is a little furry creature that is known mainly for its intelligent nature. They have furry mask-like faces and unique paws. It looks a lot like a cat shape-wise, but their hair and eyes distinguish them.
The raccoon is a native of North America, specifically in Canada and Toronto. They have been around for over 30,000 years. Surprisingly, raccoons are mostly seen during the day, and this is because of the scarcity of food at night.
They are considered scavengers; this is because they roam around the city from one garbage can to the other in search of food. They are omnivorous animals; they eat fish, clams, snails, mince, and even vegetables and fruits.
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Raccoon meat nutritional information
According to the USDA, an 85 gram serving of raccoon meat contains;
- Calories: 217
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrate: 0g
- Saturated fat: 3g
They are also rich in vitamins and minerals like potassium, and it contains a moderate amount of sodium and cholesterol.
All in all, if this meat is cleaned and prepared correctly, it is a very nutritious addition to your diet. You can also turn the fur into a layer of warmth should you require it.
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What does raccoon taste like?
Raccoon meat tastes like chicken and turkey, but they are greasier and tender. If cleaned and cooked adequately, they are a pleasant meal to eat.
It has a musky flavor and a particularly strong smell, but its smell differs depending on what the raccoon eats. Roasting and barbecuing with various herbs are the best ways to enjoy raccoons.
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Is raccoon meat safe to eat?
It is not all that safe to eat raccoon meat, and this is because they are known to carry several parasites. Raccoons eat almost anything, but specifically, they prefer water-based creatures such as clams, snails, crayfish, frogs, and fish.
When they eat these creatures, they carry the toxins gotten from the polluted water as well, and these toxins could be passed on to you. The only way to avoid these toxins is to make sure the raccoon is appropriately cleaned and cooked.
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What are the risk of eating raccoon meat?
When the raccoon is not thoroughly cleaned and cooked, the most common risk associated with it is the raccoon roundworm parasite. This is caused by a roundworm called Baylisascaris procyonis.
This parasite depends on how many parasitic eggs you ingest when eating the meat. It affects your muscles and organs, such as the lungs, brain, liver, and eyes.
Although this is not a severe infection, it could be more lethal to the younger ones and the elderly as well.
The best way to ensure that these parasitic worms are eradicated is to make sure the meat is properly cleaned and cooked to the right temperature. This would ensure that the parasite and other bacteria die before it is eaten.
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How can you properly clean the raccoon?
Raccoons are known to be filthy animals, and cleaning them properly is the first of many steps to ensure that you don’t consume germs or bacteria that may, in time, make you sick.
The fur which carries much debris should be given a proper hosing down with water. It is easier to clean the dirt off the fur when it is wet; use a brush to scrub the fur so you can get all the dirt out.
Always remember to wash your hands thoroughly after cleaning the raccoon before you start preparing the meal.
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How do you cook your raccoon meat?
If you get your hands on raccoon meat, you must treat this meat so it can be entirely safe for eating. I will walk you through a simple and safe guide on how to get this delicacy ready for cooking.
Preparing the meat
After the skin has been stripped off, you have the carcass, which you should split into two halves. Use a clean knife to cut from the shoulders through the rib cage and down to the tail.
The rib cage could be tricky, so ensure you don’t cut too deep, to avoid cutting the organs. If the organ is infected and the fluid spills, it might contaminate the entire meat.
After the meat has been cut into two halves, you should inspect the internal organs for any signs of infections. If you notice any spot, cluster, or oddly large organ, it is probably infected with a parasite or bacteria.
If the internal organ looks intact, then you can proceed to cut them carefully. They are a great source of B vitamins, zinc, iron, and other minerals.
Once that is done, you can cut the rest part of the meat into your preferred sizes. Throw out the paws, tails, anus, and head as you won’t have much use for them.
Before going further, thoroughly rinse the meat and drain off any fluid from them. After which, you can proceed to cook your meat.
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Cooking the meat
Cook until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This is to make sure that all parasite and bacteria are dead and is safe for eating. some of the best ways to enjoy this delicacy are to smoke, barbecue, or use it for raccoon stew.
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FAQs
Is raccoon meat safe to eat raw?
Yes, it is. But it should be clean appropriately as it may have adverse effects if they are not.
Should you eat raccoon?
It is a personal choice. Although they are not clean, but if raccoon meat is sufficiently cleaned and prepared, it is a very nutritious meat to add to your diet.
Should you be concerned about the raccoon rabies virus?
Not anymore. While it was once feared, the United State Center for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that it is safe as all cases have been treated and eradicated effectively.
Conclusion: What does raccoon taste like?
The raccoon tastes like dark meat chicken and turkey, but it is slightly greasier and tender. It is a staple meal in most parts of North America, and some events actually feature eating raccoon meat.
If adequate cleaned and cooked, raccoon meat can be an excellent addition to your diet. But always remember to follow the guidelines listed above in other to make your raccoon meat safer for eating.
I hope you enjoyed this article, if you did, you should also see what rabbit meat tastes like.
Thank you for reading this article.