Mock Turtle Soup Save Recipe Print Yields: 6-8 servings Ingredients cup unsalted butter 6 celery stalks, chopped 1 cup chopped yellow onion 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 pounds . These evasive turtles are found across Louisiana and can breathe underwater. Visit our Ridley sea turtle page for more information. They are mainly found in the southwest of Louisiana, but can be seen occasionally in other areas. They will also eat plants. They dig in the mud and among vegetation to find prey. Eastern Mud turtles are omnivorous and mainly eat worms, snails and other mollusks and sometimes fish. In a large Dutch oven, melt 2 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Flippers also have claws at their elbows. We also looked at 5 species of sea turtles that visit the coastlines of Louisiana. These beautiful turtles are named for their markings. Turtle actually tastes more like veal and is versatile, since it is equally good battered and fried or in thick, meaty soup. Brown turtle pieces slowly in bacon grease over medium heat.Add 4 cups beef broth and bring to boil. Thats why you can find such a wide range of reptiles. They like shallow, slow-moving waters, especially swamps, tidal marshes, or bogs. Smooth Softshell turtles are found in some northern areas of Louisiana. There have been reports of several softshell turtles ganging together to take down waterfowl. Put the turtle meat into a large pot and cover with 8 cups of water. Possession of firearms while taking or hunting frogs at night is prohibited. They also occasionally eat aquatic plants. ritz crackers (or any buttery round cracker), melted butter, instant jell-o oreo pudding, instant jell-o chocolate pudding, cornmeal, flour, onion salt, roteserrie chicken seasoning and. Three-toed Box turtles are omnivores will eat fish and invertebrates as well as plants. Add celery, green onions, peppers, wine and seasoning. Posted on Published: February 9, 2021- Last updated: November 14, 2021. They are semi-aquatic and often move around on land. These turtles tend to inhabit the Sabine river and tributaries along the Louisiana and Texas border. Chicken Pontalba. On a lightly floured surface, unfold puff pastry sheets. Their shells are green to olive with yellow and black markings. There is a yellow stripe that runs from the snout on either side to behind both eyes. Razor-backed Musk turtles are carnivorous and feed mainly on aquatic invertebrates, such as shellfish, crustaceans, fish, and mollusks. Identified by their distinctive hooked beaks, Common Snappers usually have dark brown or green shells. They prefer still, to very slow moving, shallow waters such as swamps, bogs, and small ponds. I recommend pressure cooking turtle for 20 minutes at 10 pounds with salt water,notsoda. Make a brown roux of the fat and flour. Add the garlic, tomatoes, okra, roux and Cajun seasoning. They arent strong swimmers, so do not really chase prey. Spiny Softshells have a pancake-like shell with dark circles. Add turtle meat (that's been cleaned, drained, and cut into a fine dice) and brown over med-high heat. Their preferred habitats are open, grassy areas, as they can handle dryer air compared to other box turtles. There we have it. Most have a serrated back end of the shell, which lends to the nickname Sawback turtle. What we do is soak the turtle in milk for 30 minutes - hour (in the refrigerator). In this collection, you'll find flavors and disheslike Creole, Cajun and Southern farethat made the Pelican State famous. These odd looking turtles definitely resemble pancakes. Lay Rolos on the prepared baking sheets 2-inches apart. Add celery, green onions, peppers, wine and seasoning. The scutes look like a series of razor-like humps, and are edged in black. onion, chopped, green bell pepper, seeded and chopped, stalk celery, diced, fresh minced garlic, chili powder, butter, cornstarch, stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, worcestershire sauce, olive oil, ground spicy italian sausage, minced onions and, olive oil, ground spicy italian sausage, minced onions, chopped garlic, fine dried bread crumbs, chopped parsley, grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese, dozen large oysters , preferably, shrimp or crawfish tails, butter (no margerine) and, shrimp or crawfish tails, butter (no margerine), onions, diced, celery, diced, green bell pepper, diced (can be divided red and green or all green), diced tomatoes, drained, garlic, minced, bay leaf, flour, tomato sauce, crawfish or shrimp stock or water, sliced green onion tops, fresh parsley, chopped, salt and, cake flour, sugar (or equivalent), black walnut extract (or extract of your choice ( i used black walnut), boiling water (nuked in the microwave), firm tofu, drained and squeezed of liquid, sugar (or equivalent), pecans, toasted, finely chopped, vanilla extract, water , if necessary, to make creamier, cocoa , sifted (, cookie dough , such as refrigerated at the market and. Loggerheads are able to stay submerged for nearly 60 hours without coming up for a breath. These characteristics help them to crack open their favorite foods. They will also occasionally eat vegetation. In another glass bowl, add the all-purpose flour, corn starch, and season with a little more Cajun seasoning. In a 5-quart saucepan, melt the remaining butter. They are brown to grey and very flat. 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. Their numbers are in decline because of fishing nets, boating accidents, hunting, and harvesting of their eggs. Head to our Green Sea turtles page for more information. Serves 6. You can find Loggerhead Musk Turtles in many freshwater habitats such as ponds, lakes, creeks, and streams with soft bottoms and a lot of vegetation. Serve over rice with garlic bread. Dinner Ideas. german chocolate cake mix, butter or 3/4 cup margarine, melted, evaporated milk, divided, chopped pecans, semi-sweet chocolate chips, cookies, vegetable oil, butter, white sugar and. They usually dwell in the Mississippi river areas of Louisiana in central and northern counties. The Eastern Box turtle lives among forest floors and other areas with plenty of damp soil. They also consume underwater vegetation. They swim around tropical waters to feed on this food source. The Pearl and Bogue Chitto Rivers are the only two places this turtle is found. Their diet often consists of freshwater mussels, clams, and the introduced Asiatic clam. Of the four main species of box turtles, the three-toed box turtle is Louisiana's most abundant variety. In the wild, the common musk turtle would eat a wide variety of water fish and insects. 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. The scutes look like a series of razor-like humps and are edged in black. We love hearing from our readers. Great for making homemade Louisiana style turtle soup, a Commander's Palace specialty. Mainly a freshwater species, Southern Painted turtles stay near the water and like to bask. Three-toed Box turtles have high domed carapaces which are usually brown or olive in color. Add garlic and tomato paste, and cook 2 minutes. Add turtle meat. Marshlands, swamps, and ponds are their favorite, but when these arent available they will withstand smaller rivers and streams. 1 / 36 Get this recipe! Besides various freshwater and land turtles, the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, along the coastal parishes, host five different species of sea turtles. This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. They dont have a hard shell to protect themselves, so they developed speed, a sharp beak, and long, sharp claws for defense. The big distinguishing characteristic is the red, oval-shaped marking behind their eyes that resembles ears. As their name suggests, rivers are their preferred habitat, but they can sometimes be found in ponds, lakes, and streams. Crawfish and Gulf coast seafood delivery to your door. These include Green Sea turtles, Hawksbill Sea turtles, Leatherback and Loggerhead sea turtles, and Kemps Ridley sea turtles. Their brown or grey skin is usually covered in black dots, while the carapace has black streaks. 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 . They can sometimes be seen basking on rocks or logs at the edge of the water, but are notoriously difficult to capture. Do not add water or wine. Instructions Step 1 Bring turtle meat, bay leaves, and 10 cups water to a boil in a 6-qt. Select farm raised Louisiana turtle meat. Add onions, garlic, tomato paste, and tomatoes. Tie together thyme and oregano sprigs with butchers twine; add to pot and simmer 35 minutes. Their brown or gray skin is usually covered in black dots, while black marking lines stretch across the shell. Their bodies have light colored speckles on their skin. Make a thin batter with the Bisquick, seasonings and water. Like most Map turtles, they have pronounced keels along the ridge of their carapace. All of these species are endangered. The second difference is the size. Unfortunately, they still are nowhere near the numbers they should be. Ringed Map turtles are mainly confined to a couple of eastern counties near the Pearl River along the same areas as the Pearl River Map turtle. Ringed Map turtles are omnivores and mainly eat mollusks and crustaceans as well as aquatic vegetation. Remove the meat from the pot and pull it off the bones. THE BEST DEEP FRIED TURTLE NUGGETS1-1/2 cupshomemade Bisquick1/2 tsphomemade garlic powder1/2 tsphomemade onion powderturtle meat from one turtleSoak turtle meat in cold salt water 2+ hours. Their heads are usually a darker color, with yellow band markings and red patches just behind their eyes. If youre lucky, maybe you could see them during this amazing process! Try stir-frying the meat with bacon in a very hot skillet or adding it to a stew or gumbo. There is also 1 species of tortoise native to Louisiana which is the Gopher tortoise. Their head and skin are usually brown, with prominent yellowish stripe markings running along the head and neck. They are under review to potentially receive federal protection. Add the stock and simmer for 30 minutes. Add turtle meat and add enough boiling salted water to cover the meat. Razorback Musk turtles are mainly an aquatic turtle species common across much of Louisiana. Juveniles feed more on insects, small fish, and mollusks as they need the protein to grow faster. Cook slowly for 20 to 30 minutes. Copyright 1999 - 2023 Louisiana Sportsman, Inc. All rights reserved. With a mix of French, Spanish and African heritage, Creoles in New Orleans have played an important part in the culture of the city. Weve also taken a quick look at the Gopher tortoise, a vulnerable terrestrial species native to Louisiana. Though native to the Southeastern United States, populations of these turtles have been found in many other areas including countries in Europe and Asia. If youre a turtle enthusiast, and you must be if you reached the end of this big list, leave us a comment. They also have nubs and fleshy spikes on their shells. Their heads are dark with pointed snouts. French Quarter: 613 Royal. While submerged, the Snapper is somewhat elusive and tends to swim away from threats. Add the roux and cook over low heat, stirring, until the soup is smooth and thickened. They are usually dark brown in color. They also have beautiful yellow ring-like markings on their carapaces. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. These turtles are mainly terrestrial and roam around on land in search of food. Season it up as spicy as you wish.TURTLE ETOUFFEEolive oil5 lb turtle meat, cleaned4 lg. A vertebral keel is noticeable in juveniles but fades out with age. Their population reached critically low numbers in the 1980s, but have since started coming back. This is a wonderful turtle recipe. Turtle Soup - Louisiana Cookin hot www.louisianacookin.com Reduce heat to medium. Country folks cook turtle differently. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for about three hours. Quick view. And he was almost always barefoot. The tiny Kemp's ridley turtles were . Louisiana, though typically shown as nothing but swampland, actually has a wide variety of landscapes. I have a great turtle soup recipe but how much meat do you have so I can convert it for you. Everything You Need to Know About a Sleeping Turtle, Box Turtles (Complete Herp Care) by Tess Cook, Chicken Turtle: Everything You Need To Know, Aquatic Turtles: Sliders, Cooters, Painted, and Map Turtles. Small yellow spots behind the eyes separate the Northern Map turtle from other species. The rest of the body has yellow or reddish colored stripes. Add onions, garlic, tomato paste, and tomatoes. Add cayenne, celery salt, bay leaves, and remaining teaspoon salt and teaspoon pepper. Females are nearly twice as big as males, and they have larger, stronger jaws that allow them to eat clams, mussels, and other hard-shelled sea creatures. They prefer faster moving waters with plenty of aquatic vegetation and muddy, sandy, or rocky bottoms. onions, chopped well1 bell pepper, chopped1 clove garlic, finely choppedJuice of 1/2 lemon1/2 cup fresh parsleySalt and pepper1 tsphomemade Worcestershire sauceWash and drain turtle meat. Dinner Recipes. They are a subspecies of the Diamond-backed Terrapin. Add the turtle meat, cover and cook for 1 more hour. Their shells and heads have beautiful yellowish markings, while their plastrons are also yellow. Cajun Grocer ships prepared turtle meat nationwide (cajungrocer.com). It has been said that turtle tastes like chicken, but that seems to be the answer for any type of odd meat. Heres a easy turtle recipe that tastes fantastic. rectangles. If the stew gets too thick, add additional water. The carapace is similar to other map turtles with swirls and markings, as well as the centerline keel and saw-backed scutes at the rear. You may also find mud, musk, and even some softshell varieties. 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 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. Stir bacon, carrots, potatoes, onions, tomatoes and spices into stew pot and bring to a boil. The Pearl River Map turtle is a rare subspecies of Map turtle, seen only in Louisiana and Mississippi. The carapace (upper shell) is olive, dark brown, or black with yellow to reddish ornate markings that resemble paint runs. They dont eat as much protein as other species in the wild, but still mainly eat mollusks, aquatic larvae, and plants. 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. Buttermilk Fried Chicken Recipe. As long as you follow proper hunting laws you can hunt and eat turtles in most states across the U.S. Add tomato pure, lower heat and simmer for 10 minutes. They will feed on insects, fish, tadpoles, and other small, mobile prey. Sabine Map turtles are omnivores. They prefer permanent bodies of water as well as marshy areas. They also have 3 to 4 saw-toothed projections sticking up from their carapace. My turtle recipes are below. This species is considered vulnerable and are also a federally threatened species in Louisiana. Heat the pot. Eastern Box turtles enjoy a wide range of foods. An omnivorous species, Eastern Musk turtles hunt for prey by scent. Sometimes females can grow 2 to 3 times as large as full-grown males of the same species. Thanks to the efforts of scientists, turtle lovers, and enthusiasts these turtles are experiencing a comeback. These turtles like to bask at the waters edge, and often stack themselves on top of each other! Here is our comprehensive guide to the native turtles in Louisiana. Cook until turtle is tender. Brown really good and once it is really brown and sticking to the bottom, throw in onions and a lot of them. He hauled up the trap to the clatter of shells, as the turtles in it scuttled over each other. They will eat algae, insects, clams, crayfish, and more, but it appears that caddisfly larvae are a favorite among these turtles. 10 lb. Add celery, bell pepper, onion, bay leaves, and oregano. When mud and algae are not covering their shells you may see olive green or dark brown coloration. Farms in Louisiana that sell turtles domestically or internationally must meet certain sanitary conditions, and they are required to treat turtle eggs with a surface disinfectant wash followed by a treatment with a bactericidal solution delivered through the egg pores via a pressure-differential process. Keep reading as we go over all the native turtles found in and around Louisiana. These tortoises prefer scrublands and dry prairies where the soil is easy to dig. Painted turtles have smooth, flattened carapaces that range from olive to black. Its thought that these turtles can consume poisonous mushrooms and toadstools, which then causes them to become mildly toxic. Takes about 25 min. These turtles eat conch, whelk, crustaceans, and horseshoe crabs. 12 Different Types of Turtles in California. These range from Box turtles, Cooters, Snapping turtles, Diamondback Terrapins as well as an endangered tortoise. See our Three toed Box Turtle article for more. packages of frozen chefs seasonings, 1 7-oz. Add turtle and season the meat generously with LA Crawfish's Creole Seasoning. office 504.208.9959,New Orleans, Louisiana Another pancake turtle, the Spiny Softshell sometimes has dark circles or spots on the flat, brown or grey, floppy carapace. They have a greyish green carapace and pale yellow bottom. This will be a great recipe and works great for soft shell, yellow bellies and alligator/black turtles. I caught a big soft-shell turtle this morning jug fishing. 2023 Warner Bros. The smallest of all the sea turtles and the most critically endangered, the Kemps Ridley Sea turtle grows just over 2 feet long. These are the Green Sea turtle, Hawksbill Sea turtle, Leatherback and Loggerhead sea turtles, and the Kemps Ridley sea turtle. Continue to cook on a med/low - med heat (not boiling) until turtle is tender. 504-522-7273. Taste stew, adjust seasonings as desired. The couple raised 12 children on the banks of Bayou Des Allemands, including seven sons, who all, at one time or another, were commercial fishermen. If you watch many shows about nature and wildlife, you may have seen intrepid explorers reaching into muddy swamps to pull out gaping, huge-shelled monstrosities. The species is under threat due to water pollution, and are an endangered species. In most species of softshell turtles, the females are way bigger than the males. Louisiana, though typically shown as nothing but swampland, actually has a wide variety of landscapes. Pour the batter into the cake pan and bake for about 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs. This is the late (1928-2008) Delores Loupes recipe. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla extract and baking soda. shakes, smoothies, milk, coffee, juice, water and chocolate milk, shakes, smoothies, frapp's, milk, coffee, juice and water, 6" Low Fat Sandwiches with 6 Grams of Fat or Less, Cookie Sandwiches (Non-CA locations only). Food and Water . I ate turtle this weekend and it was awesome. Return heat to medium-high, add sherry, and scrape bottom of pot to loosen any browned bits. Louisiana Recipes. These turtles have smooth, thick carapaces with three ridges near the back. The Kitchen Queens prepare Creole Louisiana Snapping Turtle . 2 14-oz. The Best Recipes from Louisiana Katie Bandurski Updated: Dec. 13, 2022 We found the best Louisiana recipes, all shared by local home cooks. They use strong jaws and sharp beaks to crush prey that is too large to swallow whole. The main habitats for Three-toed Box turtles are woodlands and other grassland areas such as meadows. Make Cajun groceries online with CajunGrocer.com. Females will lay 3 to 5 nests in a season, then take a year or two off before nesting again. packages of frozen chef's seasonings 2 7-oz. Southern Painted turtles also spend a lot of time basking in the sun. Any body got a good turtle recipe? These turtles can swim, but prefer to roam the earth. Strain;. Chicken Fricassee. Add the flour and cook, stirring frequently, over medium heat until the roux is light brown. Add remaining turtle meat, 2 tablespoons butter, 1 tablespoon olive oil, teaspoon salt, and teaspoon pepper. Pearl River Map turtles are omnivorous and will mainly eat invertebrates, crustaceans and small fish as well as aquatic plants. The Loggerhead Musk turtle has a dark green or brown domed carapace, with a yellow or pinkish plastron. 0 seconds of 2 minutes, 20 secondsVolume 0% 00:25 02:20 For more information, see our Leatherback sea turtle page. This is what gives them their name. They mainly inhabit slower-moving waters such as ponds and usually hide between aquatic vegetation. Pollution and a decline in native river mollusks threaten the remaining Pearl River Map turtles. 1 4-lb. Season turtle meat with salt and pepper. 11. Working in batches, add soup to the work bowl of a blender, and blend on high speed until thick. Eastern Spiny Softshells (Apalone Spinifera Spinifera) inhabit northern counties, while the Gulf Coast Spiny Softshell (Apalone Spinifera Aspera) is found in the southeast. The recipe makes like 6 gallons. After the roux is brown, add celery, bell pepper, green onion tops and parsley. Melvin Vanacor, Sr, (1934-2003) was always called by his nickname T-Nom, which means little man in Cajun French. Remove meat from bones. See archive, Subscribe Today- receive the Jan/Feb 2023 Issue, Not sure? They put turtle meat in their pots lots of it and they put the wine in the cook instead of the pot. Bring the flavors of Louisiana's cuisine to your table with some of our finest recipes. If more water is needed during cooking to keep the sauce from getting too thick, add turtle water. 99. They have thick ridged, spiked shells and incredibly strong, beak-like jaws. Toss in the pecans, and fold in. 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 1. You dont have to be in Louisiana to eat turtles. They also need plenty of aquatic vegetation as they are mostly herbivorous. Bring to a boil and skim the scum that floats to the top. T-Nom was a professional catfisherman, but every spring, when loggerhead turtles started stirring, his thoughts turned to turtles. These include Green Sea turtles, Hawksbill Sea turtles, Leatherback and Loggerhead sea turtles, and Kemp's Ridley sea turtles. Nov 21, 2016 - Explore Global Trekking Travel's board "McKenzie's (NOLA) recipes", followed by 239 people on Pinterest. They are carnivores and will feed on any crustaceans, invertebrates, and mollusks they can find. Saute until the vegetables are tender. Uncover and stir the chocolate mixture until evenly combined. Adult tortoises are dull grey, brown, or tan with large, domed shells. Most Louisianans who try it today wonder what all the fuss is about. They mainly eat insects, but also mollusks and crayfish. Reduce heat to medium. After the five minutes, add in the vanilla extract, and stir. Spiny Softshell turtles are mainly carnivorous. False Map turtles like to overturn rocks and pebbles in the rivers to stir up insects and eat them. Common Snappers are smaller than Alligator snappers, but still large, sometimes reaching up to 20 inches long and weighing 40 pounds on average. Seven ridges converge to a point at the back of the turtles shell. In central and western areas, the Midland Smooth Softshell (Apalone Mutica Mutica) can be found. Add lemon juice, eggs and parsley. Ornate Box turtles are mainly found in Louisianas southwestern areas, but there are a few scattered populations elsewhere in the state. cake, food cake mix, buttermilk, canola oil, eggs. Their skin feel like sandpaper, and they have long, tapered beaks. These colorful turtles have distinctive patterning on their shells, sporting a series of yellow to orange stripes. Learn how your comment data is processed. These beautiful little turtles have prominent, black-tipped ridges running down the spine of their brown to olive shells. You can apply for and adopt one from special tortoise rescue facilities if you are truly interested in owning one of these land dwelling turtles. The Mississippi Diamondback Terrapin is an aquatic species that favors brackish waters along southern coasts. Metairie 1: Old Metairie: 1517 Metairie Road. A subspecies of the Loggerhead Musk turtle, Stripe-necked Musk turtles are small, quick aquatic turtles found in counties of Louisiana that border Mississippi. Gopher tortoises dig burrows that other animals use once it has abandoned them. September 21, 2011, 10:55 AM. This website or its third-party tools use cookies, which are necessary to its functioning and required to achieve the purposes illustrated in the cookie policy. They are primarily carnivorous, although they do sometimes eat certain algae. Cook until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until turtle is tender and can easily be removed from bone. In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepot over high heat, melt the butter and brown the turtle pieces, about 10 to 12 minutes. Cover and cook over medium high heat for approximately 30 minutes. Put the seasoning blend in a tea ball strainer and add it to the sauce. It is almost identical in looks and behavior but has a much smaller range. Serves 15. In Louisiana they are mainly confined to a couple of eastern counties near the Pearl River. Bring the candy mixture to 240 F, and let the candy mixture cook for about 5 minutes without stirring.