504-875-4555. These characteristics help them to crack open their favorite foods. Alligator Snapping turtles are the largest freshwater species in Louisiana and are instantly recognizable. Remove turtle. See our Ornate Box Turtle article for more. Stir bacon, carrots, potatoes, onions, tomatoes and spices into stew pot and bring to a boil. Large bodies of water such as rivers and lakes with abundant basking spots are where you will find these turtles. 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. These turtles have a high domed shell that they can close themselves into when threatened. Brown turtle meat on medium/high. Check out our Loggerhead sea turtle page for more information. They dont have a hard shell to protect themselves, so they developed speed, a sharp beak, and long, sharp claws for defense. This recipe is T-Noms, although his wife Mary Ann is an excellent cook as well. These turtles can impact fish species as well as other turtle species due to their large food consumption, while also helping to clean up decaying organisms . Often you can see these large turtles crowding logs, rocky outcroppings, and banks. In this collection, you'll find flavors and disheslike Creole, Cajun and Southern farethat made the Pelican State famous. The Loggerhead Musk turtle has a dark green or brown domed carapace, with a yellow or pinkish plastron. Add egg, sugar, salt, and evaporated milk. Add turtle meat (that's been cleaned, drained, and cut into a fine dice) and brown over med-high heat. In a 4-quart heavy-bottomed pot melt 2 Tbsp butter. The Gopher tortoise, when born, is brightly colored, but it quickly fades. 5 Traditional New Orleans Soups for Mardi Gras. 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. Add turtle meat and add enough boiling salted water to cover the meat. SnakeTracks.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon(.com, .co.uk, .ca etc) and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program. 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. Contact Us| Subscribe Newsletter|Privacy Policy| Advertise With Us, Click herefor crawfish and seafood distributors, office 504.208.9959,New Orleans, Louisiana, Tables of Weights Measures and Equivalents, 1 pound turtle meat, cut into -inch cubes, 1 quart beef stock (add turtle bones when making the stock, if available), Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste as needed. Simmer additional 15 minutes. They range through grasslands and prairies that dont always have access to water. Add half of turtle meat, teaspoon salt, and teaspoon pepper; cook until meat is browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. State law prohibits the trade of box turtles, and of the creatures' eggs or parts and forbids people from taking wild box . They usually feed on mollusks, crustaceans, invertebrates and small fish as well as plants. Cajun Grocer has all the cooking, kitchenware, crawfish, seasoning . Pollution and a decline in native river mollusks threaten the remaining Pearl River Map turtles. Add the yellow onion, celery, bay leaves, thyme, paprika and cayenne to taste. See for yourself. Muted cream or yellow plastrons and undersides. Just like other subspecies, their carapace is usually olive green with contoured markings and a prominent keel. Their plastrons are yellowish in color. And he was almost always barefoot. There have been some instances of Snappers eating small waterbirds if they get close enough. snapper turtle, cleaned, rinsed and medium diced, all-purpose flour, butter, red wine, chopped celery, chopped onion, chopped carrot, minced garlic, beef stock, water . They have thick, elephantine legs. Three subspecies of Spiny Softshell are native to Louisiana. They have large, rounded limbs with thick, sharp claws. Of the four main species of box turtles, the three-toed box turtle is Louisiana's most abundant variety. To crack through these tough shells, the Loggerhead needs powerful muscles and a blunt beak. These turtles prefer clear, shallow waters with soft or sandy bottoms. Creole Chicken Bonne Femme. You may use wild turkey, venison or chicken. juice, clam juice, and Worcestershire sauce; simmer 10 minutes. Their shells can vary from black and brown to gray or olive. Most Louisianans who try it today wonder what all the fuss is about. Add turtle and season the meat generously with LA Crawfish's Creole Seasoning. Turtle is cooked lots of ways: its smothered; its pot fried; its stewed; and probably best of all they make sauce piquant with it. These range from Box turtles, Cooters, snapping turtles and even Diamondback terrapins. They prefer still, to very slow moving, shallow waters such as swamps, bogs, and small ponds. Cook until vegetables are transparent. Ringed Map turtles are a federally threatened subspecies of Map turtle, and are illegal to keep as pets in many states. Allow to cool until meat can be handled. Add turtle meat and lightly brown on all sides. Three-toed Box turtles have high domed carapaces which are usually brown or olive in color. This is what gives them their name. Louisiana is blessed with thirty species of turtles, tortoises and terrapins. Their numbers are in decline because of fishing nets, boating accidents, hunting, and harvesting of their eggs. jar of stuffed green olives, drained and chopped 2 tbsp garlic powder 1. Brown really good and once it is really brown and sticking to the bottom, throw in onions and a lot of them. 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. They also have relatively strong claws and long tails that sport saw-toothed ridges. Her husband of 62 years, Clarence Loupe, Sr. (1923-2009) was an almost legendary commercial fisherman, fur trapper and alligator hunter. Any body got a good turtle recipe? Their skin is grey to black with white spots. The species is under threat due to water pollution, and are an endangered species. They will also eat some vegetation. Serves 6. cans of sliced mushrooms 1 7-oz. 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. cake, food cake mix, buttermilk, canola oil, eggs and. Check out our Hawksbill Sea turtle page for more. These turtles eat conch, whelk, crustaceans, and horseshoe crabs. Eastern River Cooters are freshwater semi-aquatic turtles that have slightly domed shells ranging from brown to olive. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until turtle is tender and can easily be removed from bone. cornmeal, flour, onion salt, roteserrie chicken seasoning, smoked paprika, cajun spices, eggs, water, food cake mix, buttermilk, canola oil, eggs and. At night they search for freshwater clams, thick snails, and crustaceans. Though you may never see them because they are reclusive and will drop into the water when disturbed. The largest turtle in the world, Leatherback Sea turtles can grow to 7 or 8 feet long. 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 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). Coat a large cast-iron skillet with the oil. Chicken Pontalba. Hawksbill turtle shells are marbled with brown, green, yellow, and black colors. Mainly a freshwater species, Southern Painted turtles stay near the water and like to bask. You dont have to be in Louisiana to eat turtles. Green Sea turtles stay near busy reefs so they can feed on algae and sea grasses. LDWF, LSU AgCenter search for cold-tolerant salvinia weevil for North Louisiana, Avid angler Chris Macaluso loves to target Chef Pass bass this month, and he bases his whole approach on the weather conditions. The same coloration continues on their heads and limbs. Melt 2 sticks of butter in a heavy saucepan. These terrapins feed on crustaceans, mollusks, and other invertebrates as well as shellfish such as clams or winkles. Southern Painted turtles also spend a lot of time basking in the sun. Drain the meat and reserve the turtle water. There have been reports of several softshell turtles ganging together to take down waterfowl. Remove the meat from the pot and pull it off the bones. The Chicken Turtle doesnt sport feathers, cluck, or eat chickens, instead, they get their name because reportedly they taste like the egg-laying yard bird. 1. When hibernating, the Mud turtle will dig into the soft ground and bury itself until spring. Remove meat and save broth. 2023 Warner Bros. They usually inhabit ponds and rivers as well as wetlands. Their skin feel like sandpaper, and they have long, tapered beaks. Mississippi Mud turtles are Louisianas native subspecies of the Eastern Mud turtle, and can be found all across the state. A subspecies of the Loggerhead Musk turtle, Stripe-necked Musk turtles are small, quick aquatic turtles found in counties of Louisiana that border Mississippi. You have entered an incorrect email address! 2 14-oz. Serve over rice. As their name suggests, rivers are their preferred habitat, but they can sometimes be found in ponds, lakes, and streams. AP. The Sabine Map Turtle is a very close relative of the Ouachita Map Turtle. Put the seasoning blend in a tea ball strainer and add it to the sauce. Affectionately called Stinkpots by owners, they can release a malodorous stench from their musk glands. Remove from juice and wash in cool water, debone it, cut into pieces and set aside. Kemps Ridley Sea turtles eat crustaceans and crabs but may feed on discarded crabs and bycatch. They sometimes bury themselves in the sand or mud and wait for prey to come near. Two subspecies are found in Louisiana; the Gulf Coast Smooth Softshell (Apalone Mutica Calvata) can be found in the north east. In highly oxygenated waters, these turtles can absorb oxygen through their skin like amphibians. The Kitchen Queens prepare Creole Louisiana Snapping Turtle . Boil the turtle meat in unseasoned water for 30 minutes to tenderize it. Painted turtles are frequent baskets. Sabine Map turtles are another subspecies of Map turtles only found in small areas. Their strong jaws are capable of crushing their prey. Ringed Map turtles are easy to identify among other Map turtles species because of the distinct rings on the carapace. This species is omnivorous and eats aquatic invertebrates, crayfish, and aquatic plants. Reduce heat to medium. They prefer moving water such as rivers and streams. Drain on paper towel. They like shallow, slow-moving waters, especially swamps, tidal marshes, or bogs. Serve over rice. Cook over high heat until the meat is brown. They swim around tropical waters to feed on this food source. French Quarter: 613 Royal. Home; Seafood ; Alligator, Turtle, Frog; Alligator, Turtle, Frog Thanks to the efforts of scientists, turtle lovers, and enthusiasts these turtles are experiencing a comeback. These colorful turtles have distinctive patterning on their shells, sporting a series of yellow to orange stripes. Two subspecies of Chicken turtle are native to Louisiana; the Eastern Chicken turtle (Deirochelys reticularia reticularia) and the Western Chicken turtle (Deirochelys reticularia miaria). Chicken Rochambeau. They can produce a bite force of nearly 1,000 pounds. Their tails are often half as long as their shell. Small yellow spots behind the eyes separate the Northern Map turtle from other species. If. 504-522-7273. Add turtle meat and add enough boiling salted water to cover the meat. Slowly whisk in flour to make a "roux." Return the turtle meat to the pot. These turtles have smooth, oval shaped carapaces that range between brown and yellowish in color. In a Louisiana study turtles were found in the stomachs of 79.82% of all alligator snapping turtles. Pour the batter into the cake pan and bake for about 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs. When hot, add the turtle meat and brown over high heat until deep brown and until some of the browning sticks to the bottom of the pot. These evasive turtles are found across Louisiana and can breathe underwater. Add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic, and saut until wilted in the brownings. In a 5-quart saucepan, melt the remaining butter. Add celery, green onions, peppers, wine and seasoning. Ornate Box turtles are mainly found in Louisianas southwestern areas, but there are a few scattered populations elsewhere in the state. Males have a prominent keel protruding from their dark green shells. They have a greyish green carapace and pale yellow bottom. They will consume aquatic animals such as mollusks, insects, fish, and amphibians, as well as a wide variety of vegetation. Limbs are solid colored, while the head tends to have lighter colored stripes. Season with salt and black pepper. Misssissippi Map turtles have dark shells, often brown or black and have contour-like yellow markings. He was an unforgettable character. Low & Slow Oven Baked Ribs - Super Simple! The species gets its name from the number of toes on its hind feet . Store Locator; Recipes. Divide filling between centers of 9 pastry rectangles. These are the Green Sea turtle, Hawksbill Sea turtle, Leatherback and Loggerhead sea turtles, and the Kemps Ridley sea turtle. These turtles prefer deep ocean waters where they can feast on their favorite food, lions mane jellyfish. Cook until wilted.Add turtle, mushrooms, Kitchen Bouquet, tomatoes and bring to low boil. If youre truly lucky you might be able to spot nesting sea turtles along some of the sandy beaches. Recently, small populations of these tiny sea turtles have started nesting on Louisiana beaches too.