I'm not posting on Thanksgiving anymore.

Wow...almost there. If it said "I'm not posting anyone" that'd be perfect...

found this:


To butcher a turtle you start by chopping off the turtle's head. Be careful because the head will still bite even after it is removed from the body and the body will still crawl away after the head is removed. Turtles don't die right away.

When the body stops trying to crawl away, dip it in boiling water and scrape off the exterior layer of skin, including the shell. The result will be a bright white carcus, compared to the muddy brown-green you started with.

Next step is to remove the shell. Cut along grove on each side between the front and back legs. It is the narrowest part of the shell. The tail, neck and all four legs are attached to the top of the shell. Remove from shell and you have the bulk of the meat. However, there will be some meat on the bottom shell and top shell.

It is at this point that you remove the fat. Just roll back the skin and with a paring knife and your index finger scrape out the fat.


this step also applies to baby preparation :

When the body stops trying to crawl away, dip it in boiling water and scrape off the exterior layer of skin

Thanks for the info.

I'm really tempted to try it now...

Maybe I'll post pictures. The head did have a nasty looking beak thing.

I think cuttings it head off and then watching the body crawl about sounds like fun...

If you do it, you HAVE to post pics! Especially the bllod squirting out phase. I would recommend a sharp blow with a cleaver if you have one. A 8.5 inch chefs knife would also work. If you have babies for thanksgiving though, I urge you not to post pics - the authorities are touchy about that sort of thing.

I think we could have a new thanksgiving trend here.

now, I know how to stuff a turkey, what would you use for a turtle to bring out the flavor of it's delicately roasted flesh? Rice and Chorizo, maybe?

While it might be time consuming, I think using a bunch of medium sized ones and reserving the shells to receive the meat and stuffing might be really nice.

I saw a turtle.

http://cellar.org/2003/isawaturtle.jpg

(it's a fark thing)

You sure that's not a shark? I think it's a shark.

I'd not cut that turtles head off...especialy considering that it'll keep trying to bite me...

The turtles in Chinatown were smaller..like half a foot..

turtle tempers
 

I caught a nasty snapping turtle while crabbing once. The @#$@ thing had my entire chicken neck in its mouth. it was HUGE.... and it wouldn't let go of my bait. these two guys were fishing where we were crabbing, and they asked for the turtle (shell nearly 2 feet long from front to back). so we gave it to them... they hog tied him & threw him in their old nova.

they hopped in, drove off...and suddenly swerved to the shoulder, threw open the doors, and went leaping for freedom. it was a truly entertaining sight.

I generally eat with the Hare Krishnas every Wednesday on the way back from karate.

Some of them are out of it, and the guy who brought it to America is nuts (if not an idiot), but some of the people that I've met their have been really cool. I've discussed poetry and language with the guru (who is the best of them, and largely the reason I go there).

http://cellar.org/2003/turtle2.jpg

Yikes!

Well Torr, if you enjoy it, and they're not forcing you into anything, then it's all good.

The minute you start talking some crazy smack though, we're sending Ury in to get you. And if that doesn't work, I'll drive all the way to Seattle to rescue you, then promptly beat the shit out of you.

Why do I get the impression that even though this guy is a herbivore, he could take my finger off with a good bite?

One of my friends at work is a professional "Cult Exit Counsellor" (which is what deprogrammers prefer to be called). I think he'll give us a good rate ...