Bring it to a boil and reduce. Toss in the pecans, and fold in. The scutes look like a series of razor-like humps and are edged in black. Add turtle meat and add enough boiling salted water to cover the meat. Their shells range from brown to grey, and their skin can be grey, brown, white, or yellow, but all of them have highly contrasting stripes, spots, or squiggles. Though omnivorous, they mainly eat mollusks, crayfish, small fish, and tadpoles. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. From fish, crayfish, mollusks, insects, tadpoles, and an abundance of vegetation. Red Eared Sliders have smooth carapaces that start off green and highly patterned but will darken as they age. After the five minutes, add in the vanilla extract, and stir. These turtles tend to inhabit the Sabine river and tributaries along the Louisiana and Texas border. The Kemps Ridley Sea turtle has a triangular head and a slight beak. Their numbers are in decline because of fishing nets, boating accidents, hunting, and harvesting of their eggs. Boil the turtle meat in unseasoned water for 30 minutes to tenderize it. When there isnt sufficient moisture to keep these turtles hydrated, they will dig a burrow to reach humid soil. These odd looking turtles definitely resemble pancakes. Coloring ranges from brown to olive ringed with yellow, with patterns that resemble a net. Alligator Snapping turtles are the largest freshwater species in Louisiana and are instantly recognizable. An omnivorous species, Eastern Musk turtles hunt for prey by scent. He is an active writer, book author and outdoorsman. Taste stew, adjust seasonings as desired. Cooker Recipes. Wash Boneless Turtle Meat and cut into bite size pieces. They are usually dark brown in color. Pour into a serving dish, and garnish with green onion, if desired. Razor-backed Musk turtles are carnivorous and feed mainly on aquatic invertebrates, such as shellfish, crustaceans, fish, and mollusks. Justin's programs on CBS, as well as his PBS show Louisiana Cookin . The Common Musk Turtle, also known as the Stinkpot Turtle, is a small aquatic turtle that can be a popular choice as a pet because of its size. Heat candy for 1 1/2 to 2 hours until melted. The skin along the limbs, head, and neck is usually dark brown to black with yellow stripes. Razor-backed Musk turtles are mainly an aquatic turtle species common across much of Louisiana. Red Eared Sliders dont usually have trouble finding food. There have been reports of several softshell turtles ganging together to take down waterfowl. Kemp's ridley sea turtle, world's smallest sea turtle species, discovered in Chandeleur Islands off coast of New Orleans Skip to main content Skip to navigation Print subscriptions saucepan. Pour enough cooking oil in a large pot to cover the bottom. 12 Different Types of Turtles in California. Though not very reliable, the Northern Map tends to get bigger than many other Map turtle species. Simmer until nearly done. Serves 6. Put the seasoning blend in a tea ball strainer and add it to the sauce. They dont care for rocky or gravely bottoms or a lot of vegetation. The Pallid Spiny Softshell (Apalone Spinifera Pallida) dwells in southwest and northern areas. Marshlands, swamps, and ponds are their favorite, but when these arent available they will withstand smaller rivers and streams. The upper half of this turtles head is covered in white, and the rest of the skin is green with white stripes. Render the turtle meat (cook until brown) at a medium to high heat. Louisiana Recipes. All of these species are endangered. food cake mix, buttermilk, canola oil, eggs, onion, chopped, green bell pepper, seeded and chopped and. Alligator Snapping turtles are carnivores, and will essentially eat anything they can catch. If so, then feel free to comment below whether you are looking to purchase a turtle or are just a herpetology enthusiast! If youre a turtle enthusiast, and you must be if you reached the end of this big list, leave us a comment. In this collection, you'll find flavors and disheslike Creole, Cajun and Southern farethat made the Pelican State famous. They will also eat some vegetation. Thats enough to sever fingers and break bones. Louisiana Cookin https://www.louisianacookin.com/. This semi-aquatic species is widely seen throughout the whole state of Louisiana. They wont share a habitat with large predatory fish or alligators. There they hibernate until the temperatures warm up and they emerge. Their shells are usually olive green, with fluted edges marked in yellow. Chicken Fricassee. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. packages of frozen chef's seasonings 2 7-oz. Quick view Add to Cart. hehehehehe. This subspecies of Map turtle is mostly carnivorous; they feed on mollusks, clams, and insects. Brush edges of pastry with beaten egg. Eastern Mud turtles are omnivorous and mainly eat worms, snails and other mollusks and sometimes fish. Heres a easy turtle recipe that tastes fantastic. The body form of this ancient group of reptiles has changed little in the 200 million years of its existence. Mash the egg yolks, chop the whites and add to thicken the stew. Dinner Recipes. If more water is needed during cooking to keep the sauce from getting too thick, add turtle water. In a separate glass bowl, whisk together the full-fat buttermilk, spicy mustard, and eggs. And he was almost always barefoot. These turtles are swift not only in the water but on land too. The big distinguishing characteristic is the red, oval-shaped marking behind their eyes that resembles ears. As long as you follow proper rules you can hunt turtles in Louisiana. 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. Louisiana, though typically shown as nothing but swampland, actually has a wide variety of landscapes. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla extract and baking soda. (Cook until all water is gone and turtle is brown.) Their population reached critically low numbers in the 1980s, but have since started coming back. With a mix of French, Spanish and African heritage, Creoles in New Orleans have played an important part in the culture of the city. In Louisiana they are mainly confined to a couple of eastern counties near the Pearl River. False Map turtles like to overturn rocks and pebbles in the rivers to stir up insects and eat them. This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. These turtles are carnivorous and will eat anything they can fit in their mouths. Copyright 1999 - 2023 Louisiana Sportsman, Inc. All rights reserved. Add celery, bell pepper, onion, bay leaves, and oregano. Add the flour and cook, stirring frequently, over medium heat until the roux is light brown. The Gopher Tortoise is the only native species of tortoise found in Louisiana, and it is a threatened species. . Whenever you see items made of tortoiseshell, it most likely came from a Hawksbill Sea turtle. Three subspecies of Spiny Softshell are native to Louisiana. Dip the alligator meat chunks in the all-purpose flour and then shake off the excess. Besides various freshwater and land turtles, the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, along the coastal parishes, host five different species of sea turtles. Heat in 15-second increments until chocolate can be stirred smooth. 2 14-oz. I ate turtle this weekend and it was awesome. The species is under threat due to water pollution, and are an endangered species. 2 lb. Ringed Map turtles are a federally threatened subspecies of Map turtle, and are illegal to keep as pets in many states. You Might Also Like. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. On their head and limbs, youll see wide yellow to white stripes. Add onions, garlic, tomato paste, and tomatoes. Their head and skin are usually brown, with prominent yellowish stripe markings running along the head and neck. In most species of softshell turtles, the females are way bigger than the males. Add the flour and cook, stirring frequently, over medium heat until the roux is light brown. Bring the candy mixture to 240 F, and let the candy mixture cook for about 5 minutes without stirring. 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. Cook over high heat until the meat is brown. Add the turtle meat. Pearl River Map turtles are omnivorous and will mainly eat invertebrates, crustaceans and small fish as well as aquatic plants. Drain the meat and reserve the turtle water. Stripe-necked Musk turtles are omnivores who mainly feed on mollusks, crustaceans, insects and plants. Diamondback terrapins, the beautifully patterned turtles inhabiting brackish waters along the East Coast, were harvested so heavily for food that the U.S. government started to get concerned about . [], 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. 11. Their scutes are covered with swirling contour patterns, similar to a map. There is also 1 species of tortoise native to Louisiana which is the Gopher tortoise. These colorful turtles have distinctive patterning on their shells, sporting a series of yellow to orange stripes. They are highly adaptable, mostly aquatic, and will eat nearly anything. They have yellow or white lines that run from the snout to the back of the head. They will also eat plants. Coat a large cast-iron skillet with the oil. Add turtle meat and add enough boiling salted water to cover the meat. They are mostly carnivorous and eat earthworms, insects, and occasionally carrion. See for yourself. 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup dry sherry 2 tablespoons Louisiana hot pepper sauce 2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce juice of one lemon 5 ounces fresh spinach, stems removed, washed, patted dry, coarsely chopped 2 hard-cooked eggs, finely chopped dry sherry, for garnish (optional) Directions Most have a serrated back end of the shell, which lends to the nickname Sawback turtle. They are terrestrial turtles that dont spend much time at all in the water. At the table, add 1 teaspoon sherry to each soup plate. Razorback Musk turtles are mainly an aquatic turtle species common across much of Louisiana. These turtles are omnivorous and will eat insects, vegetation, berries, flowers, and occasional rotting carcasses. They will eat algae, insects, clams, crayfish, and more, but it appears that caddisfly larvae are a favorite among these turtles. They have thick, elephantine legs. If you have turtle eggs, throw them in the last 15 minutes before you kill the fire. Because of this, they are natural seed dispersers for many plants. These tortoises are a keystone species. Even rattlesnake is said to taste like chicken, so why not just eat chicken? Their preferred habitats are open, grassy areas, as they can handle dryer air compared to other box turtles. Then simmer for 2-2 1/2 hours (or until turtle is tender). Remove the turtle from pan and allow to cool . In the winter, Ornate Box turtles will either dig out a burrow or take over an abandoned one. While underwater, these turtles will walk along the riverbed, and can stay submerged for long periods of time. HUMOR, STORIES & POEMS. As the turtle ages, this pattern gets fainter. Be sure to check out the links below. These turtles eat conch, whelk, crustaceans, and horseshoe crabs. Their shells and heads have beautiful yellowish markings, while their plastrons are also yellow. Set aside. The Eastern Box turtle lives among forest floors and other areas with plenty of damp soil. Eastern Mud turtles are omnivorous, though they eat meat more than vegetation. Slowly pour the water into the batter, mixing well and being careful of splashing. Spiny Softshell turtles are mainly carnivorous. Add the V-8 Juice, cover and simmer for 1 hour. Filter Results: Appetizers (26) Desserts (18) The Ouachita Map turtle is omnivorous and will eat a wide variety of fruits, berries, plants, insects, and fish. As their name implies, they have three claws on their hindlegs rather than four. This species is omnivorous and eats aquatic invertebrates, crayfish, and aquatic plants. Chances are youve seen Painted Turtles before because they are the most widespread turtle species in North America. You may see small Diamondback Terrapins, medium sized Red Eared Sliders, or large Softshell or Snapping turtles in the waters around the state. Country folks cook turtle differently. Cook until vegetables are transparent. In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepot over high heat, melt the butter and brown the turtle pieces, about 10 to 12 minutes. There are 20 different types of turtles in Louisiana that are native to the state. They are found across Louisiana but their numbers are decreasing. cake, food cake mix, buttermilk, canola oil, eggs. Sabine Map turtles are omnivores. To get fresh drinking water, the Diamondback Terrapin will either swim to the surface and drink the rainwater that congregates there before it mixes, or they will come ashore and hold their mouths open. Reduce heat to medium. They also have 3 to 4 saw-toothed projections sticking up from their carapace. Set meat aside. Their shells are green to olive with yellow and black markings. Their heads are usually a darker color, with yellow band markings and red patches just behind their eyes. Make a roux with the cooking oil and flour in a heavy pot, preferably cast iron. Add the turtle meat, cover and cook for 1 more hour. Cook bacon in stew pot until done, remove bacon and set aside. Eastern River Cooters are freshwater semi-aquatic turtles that have slightly domed shells ranging from brown to olive. Did you enjoy our Louisiana list? Put in heavy pot and add all other ingredients. They will consume aquatic animals such as mollusks, insects, fish, and amphibians, as well as a wide variety of vegetation. They also have relatively strong claws and long tails that sport saw-toothed ridges. Harvest of turtle eggs is prohibited except for eggs of the red-eared slider. Their preferred habitats are open, grassy areas. Crawfish and Gulf coast seafood delivery to your door. There, people can apply for a license to trap any of the state's 19 freshwater species, except for the more vulnerable alligator snapping turtles, box turtles, and razor-backed musk turtles . Brown in cooking oil. Add turtle meat (that's been cleaned, drained, and cut into a fine dice) and brown over med-high heat. Their eyes are bright light blue to white with a dark line running horizontally across. Allow to cool until meat can be handled. Ouachita Map turtles are found mainly along the Atchafalaya, Mississippi, and Red rivers of Louisiana.