Squirrel meat selling fast at Leicestershire farm shop
A farm shop has put squirrel on the menu – and customers are going nuts for it.
Pick's Organic Farm Shop in Barkby Thorpe, said the unusual meat was flying off the shelves.
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PICTURE: will johnston / LEWJ20130226E-001
Company director Nicky Chambers said: "We first decided to make it part of our range after a couple of customers asked us for squirrel.
"I think what had prompted them to ask was one of the celebrity chefs on TV cooked a tasty menu with the meat.
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"Some people are put off by the thought of eating a squirrel but many are happy to try it for a change."
The company took 15 squirrels to a farmers' market in Market Bosworth on Sunday and they were soon sold.
The animals come skinned and packed and cost £4.50 each.
Ms Chambers said people should not be put off eating squirrel meat.
"I think because they are all nice and fluffy looking then people feel bad about trying it," she said.
"It's a bit like rabbit, really, but once you can get past the fluffy image it's just a meat like any other. I tried squirrel and thought it would taste like rabbit, but I think it tastes more like duck.
"I guess you can cook it any way you like.
"Me and my family had it wrapped in bacon and roasted in the oven.
"It was delicious with vegetables.
"I know at least one of our customers who makes a squirrel curry."
Squirrel is a new addition to Pick's meat range, which includes venison, partridge and pheasant in season, rabbit, wood pigeon and wild duck.
Grey squirrels are supplied by Keythorpe Game, a company run by gamekeeper Mark Liquorish and his wife Rebecca from the Keythorpe estate in Tugby.
Rebecca said the squirrels were trapped and then killed humanely.
"Our customers give us some idea of how many squirrels they want and we try to meet that demand," she said.
"For us, providing the squirrels is really no different from providing any other game."
A spokesman for the British Association for Shooting and Conservation said squirrels were pests that needed to be controlled.
He said: "It is good that this animal can be controlled and is then eaten so the meat does not go to waste.
"I have not had it myself but hear that it has quite a nutty flavour, which is not surprising, considering the animal's diet."
Have your food buying habits changed? Page 8.
14 Comments
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by voucherman
Wednesday, May 08 2013, 10:49AM
“Squirrels taste nutty... classic...”
by ReeceFowler
Thursday, February 28 2013, 9:16PM
“graydjames,
Grey squirrels are indeed classed as vermin, and it is illegal to keep or release them without a license. If you catch one in a trap, you have to kill it by law. Been like that since the 30s I believe.”
by graydjames
Thursday, February 28 2013, 9:09PM
“But grey Squirrels are vermin Karinfall and if you have any round your garden you'll soon discover that they are the first to eat your bird food. They are incredibly ingenious too in getting at it.
I hate pigeons as well but grey squirrels are just as troublesome and, I think it's right, they are officially vermin.”
by lance13
Thursday, February 28 2013, 9:03PM
“ReeceFowler
Thursday, February 28 2013, 8:51 pm
Well said sir!”
by ReeceFowler
Thursday, February 28 2013, 8:51PM
“Johnboy313,
"Surely these animals belong to everyone, what right has a greedy idiotic person got to kill these and sell for profit, where does it stop?"
They have every right. It is perfectly legal and to be encouraged. Wild meat is about as ethical as it gets. Besides, grey squirrels are an alien invasive species which damage native wildlife, and they need to be controlled and preferably eradicated.
Most squirrel meat comes from shooters, gamekeepers , etc who already control grey squirrels regardless of whether they sell them for meat, and those working with red squirrel groups have also sold the meat, for example in the Cornwall red squirrel reintroduction project. Grey squirrels need controlling, they might as well use the meat wherever possible.
Llamalamb,
"Surely squirrel meat is high in saturated fat and unhealthy. When you read about Elvis' health problems, squirrel meat is often quoted as one of his dietary favourites."
Squirrel meat is not high in saturated fat. It is very low in fat and high in protein, making it a healthy option. A lot of wild meats are like this, including venison.”
by johnboy313
Thursday, February 28 2013, 7:56PM
“Surely these animals belong to everyone, what right has a greedy idiotic person got to kill these and sell for profit, where does it stop?”
by llamalamb
Thursday, February 28 2013, 7:25PM
“Surely squirrel meat is high in saturated fat and unhealthy. When you read about Elvis' health problems, squirrel meat is often quoted as one of his dietary favourites.”
by lance13
Thursday, February 28 2013, 6:44PM
“karinfall1955
Thursday, February 28 2013, 1:01PM
" If you are going to eat 'wild' then please eat them and not tufty.."
If some one was to eat "tufty" thats a no no, (protected speices) ""tufty" was a red, this artical is about greys”
by ReeceFowler
Thursday, February 28 2013, 5:18PM
“karinfall1955,
"@oldhenry. For cunning read intelligent, they have a good survival instinct. Is it safe to be using a firearm in a built up area anyway???"
Perfectly safe as long as you have a solid backstop. Especially safe with an air rifle, which are lower power than most other guns. Air rifles due to their lower power are the gun of choice in urban areas and other confined spaces where you wouldn't use any other type of gun.
If anyone wants to eat grey squirrel, go ahead. It's low in fat and high in protein, like a lot of game meats. And you'll be doing your bit for conservation, as grey squirrels are an alien invasive pest which have nearly wiped out red squirrels and are also impacting on songbirds as they eat their eggs..
And you know what you're eating, unlike what you buy from Tesco. There's neigh horse in squirrel meat!”
by karinfall1955
Thursday, February 28 2013, 5:06PM
“@oldhenry. For cunning read intelligent, they have a good survival instinct. Is it safe to be using a firearm in a built up area anyway???”