Add salt and cayenne pepper to taste. Chicken Rochambeau. This includes other species of turtle! T-Nom was a professional catfisherman, but every spring, when loggerhead turtles started stirring, his thoughts turned to turtles. Boneless Turtle Meat 5 lb bag $139.99. juice, clam juice, and Worcestershire sauce; simmer 10 minutes. Add turtle and season the meat generously with LA Crawfish's Creole Seasoning. Similar to the Eastern Box Turtle, these colorful turtles have distinctive patterning on their shells, sporting a series of yellow to orange stripes. Young Paints are more carnivorous but will transition to more vegetation as they get older. Let cook on a low/med heat until it is mixed well (approx 10 minutes) and then add water to continue the gravy. Serves 10 to 12 Ingredients: Method: In a heavy soup pot over medium-high heat warm the oil. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Make a brown roux of the fat and flour. Their shells can vary from black and brown to gray or olive. Their preferred habitats are open, grassy areas. They prefer permanent bodies of water as well as marshy areas. The Mississippi Map turtle is a subspecies of False Map turtle native to Louisiana. The plastron of these turtles is yellow. Their heads are also dark, with yellow lines along their faces. TURTLE GRAVY AND RICE5-6 lb turtle meat1/2 cup flour3 yellow onions, chopped2 celery stalks, chopped2 bell peppers, chopped1/4 cup Kitchen Bouquet1 cup green onions, chopped4 cups tomatoes, stewed, crushed or whole1 cup mushrooms, sliced1/2 cup cooking oilCreole or Cajun seasoning, to taste4 cloves garlicCut turtle in small pieces and season. Of the four main species of box turtles, the three-toed box turtle is Louisiana's most abundant variety. food cake mix, buttermilk, canola oil, eggs, onion, chopped, green bell pepper, seeded and chopped and. Try stir-frying the meat with bacon in a very hot skillet or adding it to a stew or gumbo. And he was almost always barefoot. Bring the flavors of Louisiana's cuisine to your table with some of our finest recipes. Eastern River Cooters are mainly herbivores, preferring to eat vegetation and fruits rather than meat such as fish or insects. It's typically made with turtle meat, a roux of butter and dark flour, sherry, tomatoes, stock, diced hard-boiled eggs, lemon juice, and a variety of herbs and spices such as parsley, paprika, cumin, coriander, and allspice. Mussels, clams, and other bi-valves as well as crayfish and snails make up most of this turtles diet. Continue to cook on a med/low - med heat (not boiling) until turtle is tender. These turtles are very popular among turtle owners because they are so strikingly beautiful. They also have nubs and fleshy spikes on their shells. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until vegetables are done. rectangles. The second difference is the size. Jerald Horst is a retired Louisiana State University professor of fisheries. 1 / 36 Get this recipe! They are semi-aquatic and often move around on land. Copyright 1999 - 2023 Louisiana Sportsman, Inc. All rights reserved. Their shells drop quite sharply at the sides and back, whilst their plastrons are larger than those of their Musk turtle relatives. Chop meat into 1" - 2" pieces. Add onions, garlic, tomato paste, and tomatoes. Quick list of the native turtles of Louisiana: Alligator Snapping Turtle Macroclemys temminckii Common Snapping Turtle Chelydra serpentina serpentina Common Musk Turtle (Stinkpot) Sternotherus odoratus Gopher Tortoise Gopherus polyphemus Gulf Coast Box Turtle Terrapene carolina major Gulf Coast Smooth Softshell Apalone mutica calvata While not great swimmers, these turtles prefer slower moving waterways with plenty of vegetation. These turtles rarely travel far from the water, and like to bask on outcrops over the water surface. Add celery, onions, garlic and seasonings. Add the V-8 Juice, cover and simmer for 1 hour. They also have beautiful yellow ring-like markings on their carapaces. When mud and algae are not covering their shells you may see olive green or dark brown coloration. They will eat fungi, berries, grasses, insects, worms, spiders, slugs, and snails, as well as some carrion. Turtle soup Main dishes [ edit] Chicken Creole Creole Chicken Fricasse Creole baked chicken Crawfish touffe Grillades Jambalaya Mirliton Pompano en papillote Red beans and rice Rice and gravy Shrimp bisque [7] Shrimp creole Smothered pork chops Trout a la meunire [8] Side dishes [ edit] Red beans Dirty rice Chicken Clemenceau. 504-522-7273. Red-eared Sliders prefer warm, slow-moving waters. They like shallow, slow-moving waters, especially swamps, tidal marshes, or bogs. Add about 1/4 cup of water and scratch the bottom of the pot to get all the browning that is stuck off the bottom of the pot (do this while turtle is still in the pot). [], This is an easy two pot meal, one for the venison stroganoff and one for the starch that can be prepared at home or at the camp. They mainly inhabit slower-moving waters such as ponds and usually hide between aquatic vegetation. Brown turtle meat on medium/high. You may also find mud, musk, and even some softshell varieties. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for about three hours. When threatened, the Eastern Mud turtle will pull itself into the shell, but it may also bite, for these turtles are aggressive. Southern Painted turtles have dark brown or black smooth shells with an orange or yellow band running down the spine of the carapace. Saut Vegetables: After the meat is browned, remove from the pot. There is a yellow stripe that runs from the snout on either side to behind both eyes. These turtles have smooth, thick carapaces with three ridges near the back. They usually inhabit ponds and rivers as well as wetlands. Dinner Ideas. The smallest of all the sea turtles and the most critically endangered, the Kemps Ridley Sea turtle grows just over 2 feet long. Their preferred habitats are open, grassy areas, as they can handle dryer air compared to other box turtles. Three-toed Box turtles are omnivores will eat fish and invertebrates as well as plants. Their population reached critically low numbers in the 1980s, but have since started coming back. These range from Box turtles, Cooters, snapping turtles and even Diamondback terrapins. The main habitats for Three-toed Box turtles are woodlands and other grassland areas such as meadows. Slowly whisk in flour to make a "roux." Return the turtle meat to the pot. There are some restaurants in Louisiana that still serve turtle dishes. Metairie 1: Old Metairie: 1517 Metairie Road. Donald Barkemeyer's alligator sausage, brand name Louisiana Cajun Grill Sausage, $6.99 a pound, is sold in Winn-Dixie stores in the New Orleans region and Gulf South. The prep work is the hardest part of this classic dish. While underwater, these turtles will walk along the riverbed, and can stay submerged for long periods of time. After that, add a can of golden mushroom, i can of rotel in the pot as well as well as sausage (i forgot to mention that this needs to be browned as well) and mix well. They have a very long neck, and strong, long limbs. Loggerhead turtles have recently begun nesting on Louisianas shores once again after being absent for decades. Though these turtles are very skittish, you may see them sharing basking sites with other species. Here is our comprehensive guide to the native turtles in Louisiana. Because of this, they are natural seed dispersers for many plants. Since they dont have a hard shell, this turtle is able to use their skin to absorb oxygen from the water and stay motionless and submerged longer. These include Green Sea turtles, Hawksbill Sea turtles, Leatherback and Loggerhead sea turtles, and Kemps Ridley sea turtles. TURTLE STEW RECIPE1/4 lb chopped baconmeat of two turtles, cut into bite-sized pieces1/2 c. flour 1/2 tsp salt1/4 tsp pepper, 4 cups beef broth2 carrots, sliced4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed2 medium onions, chopped28 oz can diced tomatoes2 tsp thyme1 tsp marjoramsalt and pepper to taste. Turtle sauce piquants are especially favored in Des Allemands, Mark and Noochs hometown. Mainly a freshwater species, Southern Painted turtles stay near the water and like to bask. Remove from pot and set aside. Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler. To roux add onions both yellow and green, celery, bell pepper (holy trinity) and garlic. Remove the meat from pot. Parboil the turtle meat; drain. Drain, dredge in flour seasoned with salt and pepper. 1 1/2 pounds turtle meat, trimmed of all sinew and cut into 1/4-inch cubes; 8 cloves garlicminced; 2 medium-size onions, chopped fine; 4 stalks celery, chopped fine; 2 medium-size green peppers, chopped fine; 1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt, plus to taste; 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 2 medium-size Creole tomatoes, seeded and chopped fine When they hunt together the turtles use their sharp claws and beaks to tear pieces off the birds and eat them. See more ideas about nola recipes, recipes, mckenzie. In another glass bowl, add the all-purpose flour, corn starch, and season with a little more Cajun seasoning. Serve over rice. Limbs are solid colored, while the head tends to have lighter colored stripes. All sea turtles are endangered and its illegal to own or even touch any sea turtle. These turtles have a small head with a yellow or orange dot behind each eye. 504-875-4555. The carapace (upper shell) is olive, dark brown, or black with yellow to reddish ornate markings that resemble paint runs. These turtles have a high domed shell that they can close themselves into when threatened. While submerged, the Snapper is somewhat elusive and tends to swim away from threats. These range from Box turtles, Cooters, Snapping turtles, Diamondback Terrapins as well as an endangered tortoise. Eastern Musk turtles have a great sense of smell and hunt for prey by scent. These turtles travel thousands of miles yearly. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Their head and skin are usually brown, with prominent yellowish stripe markings running along the head and neck. These range from Box turtles, Cooters, Snapping turtles, Diamondback Terrapins as well as an endangered tortoise. Chicken Fricassee. Their flesh and fat are green because of their diet, and that is where their name comes from. Pollution and a decline in native river mollusks threaten the remaining Pearl River Map turtles. It has been said that turtle tastes like chicken, but that seems to be the answer for any type of odd meat. After the five minutes, add in the vanilla extract, and stir. Unfortunately, this vulnerable terrestrial species is in decline. Also known as Stinkpots due to the strong smell they can release from their musk glands, Eastern Musk turtles use this ability to protect themselves from predators. Remove from heat and serve. Their shells are highly patterned and they have dark skin with yellow, cream, or white stripes. Cooker Recipes. Get our latest hunting and fishing info right in your inbox, PawPaw and De Two AJ's Hit T-Funky 03 01 23, Mardi Gras Mombo-Jr and Paw Paw Hit T-Funky 2 21 23. To crack through these tough shells, the Loggerhead needs powerful muscles and a blunt beak. They use strong jaws and sharp beaks to crush prey that is too large to swallow whole. They have thick, elephantine legs. Their strong jaws are capable of crushing their prey. The species gets its name from the number of toes on its hind feet . At night they search for freshwater clams, thick snails, and crustaceans. They do not bask often, preferring to remain in the water. They range through grasslands and prairies that dont always have access to water. One species of tortoise is also native to Louisiana; the Gopher tortoise. Though omnivorous, they mainly eat mollusks, crayfish, small fish, and tadpoles. Weve also taken a quick look at the Gopher tortoise, a vulnerable terrestrial species native to Louisiana. Thanks to the efforts of scientists, turtle lovers, and enthusiasts these turtles are experiencing a comeback. See our Diamondback Terrapin care sheet for more. Three subspecies of Spiny Softshell are native to Louisiana. Painted turtles have smooth, flattened carapaces that range from olive to black. Painted turtles will eat duckweed, water hyacinth, lily, and algae, as well as snails, fish, tadpoles, and insects. In a Louisiana study turtles were found in the stomachs of 79.82% of all alligator snapping turtles. Drain and set aside. Soup Recipes. September 21, 2011, 10:55 AM. These characteristics help them to crack open their favorite foods. Cook over high heat until the meat is brown. Porter & Luke. The Eastern Box turtle lives among forest floors and other areas with plenty of damp soil. The upper half of this turtles head is covered in white, and the rest of the skin is green with white stripes. They arent strong swimmers, so do not really chase prey. If so, then feel free to comment below whether you are looking to purchase a turtle or are just a herpetology enthusiast! Make Cajun groceries online with CajunGrocer.com. Quick Reference Section Ornate Box Turtle Tree-toed Box Turtle Chicken Turtle Eastern River Cooter Mississippi Diamondback Terrapin Mississippi Map Turtle It is almost identical in looks and behavior but has a much smaller range. Naturally, there was an abundance of wines . Harvest of turtle eggs is prohibited except for eggs of the red-eared slider. Chicken turtles are a semi-aquatic species that have long, striped necks and oval shaped shells. Correct seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. If more water is needed during cooking to keep the sauce from getting too thick, add turtle water. Do not add water or wine. Their brown or gray skin is usually covered in black dots, while black marking lines stretch across the shell. They prefer moving water such as rivers and streams. (Cook until all water is gone and turtle is brown.) Season with salt and black pepper. Ringed Map turtles are easy to identify among other Map turtles species because of the distinct rings on the carapace. Throw in some spices, extra pepper, and smoky sausage, and you'll have such a hearty and colorful dinner. When tree branches hang low, or reach into the water, Mud turtles will climb up them and search for food in trees. In a 4-quart heavy-bottomed pot melt 2 Tbsp butter. There are 20 different types of turtles in Louisiana that are native to the state. Set aside. They prefer still, to very slow moving, shallow waters such as swamps, bogs, and small ponds. Add turtle meat and add enough boiling salted water to cover the meat. There are 24 different types of turtles in Louisiana as well as 5 species of sea turtles that can be seen off the coastal water. These turtles are mostly carnivorous, feeding on tadpoles, fish, crayfish, dragonflies, spiders, and other aquatic insects. You dont have to be in Louisiana to eat turtles. . Sometimes females can grow 2 to 3 times as large as full-grown males of the same species. Two subspecies are found in Louisiana; the Gulf Coast Smooth Softshell (Apalone Mutica Calvata) can be found in the north east. Juveniles feed more on insects, small fish, and mollusks as they need the protein to grow faster. Chargrilled Pizza with Olive Salad. Their dark skin sports yellow to orange markings. With that being said, there are some Three Toed Box turtles that have to be different and sport four toes on their hind legs. This will be a great recipe and works great for soft shell, yellow bellies and alligator/black turtles. They will also eat plants such as berries or cacti. Add the flour and cook, stirring frequently, over medium heat until the roux is light brown. In a large saucepan or dutch oven, melt the 4 Tbsp of Unalted Butter over medium-high heat, add the diced Turtle Meat and saute until nicely browned. Add onions, celery, bell pepper and garlic and cook until tender. Their numbers are in decline because of fishing nets, boating accidents, hunting, and harvesting of their eggs. As long as you follow proper rules you can hunt turtles in Louisiana. He is an active writer, book author and outdoorsman. As the turtle ages, this pattern gets fainter. Add celery, green onions, peppers, wine and seasoning. There was a report of a few people eating a Three Toed Box turtle, then subsequently becoming sick. Try our $10 Trial Subscription (3 issues). Set meat aside. You may see small Diamondback Terrapins, medium sized Red Eared Sliders, or large Softshell or Snapping turtles in the waters around the state. Ouachita Map turtles can be distinguished from other Map turtles by the large yellow spots on the sides of their heads. A species of endangered sea turtles were discovered nesting this summer on the beaches of Louisiana's Chandeleur Islands for the first time in 75 years. They are the smallest subspecies of the Painted turtle. How Long Can Sea Turtles Hold Their Breath? Razorback Musk turtles are mainly an aquatic turtle species common across much of Louisiana. Sept. 22, 2011 -- intro:If Cooter Pie, Baked Possum and Corn Poe sounds like good eatin' to you, then you best check out this cookbook.