| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| nettie |
Anyone tried cormorant?My dad's neighbour has a license to cull cormorants from his fishing lake, he just leaves the carcasses there for the fox! Has anyone tried them? It seems such a waste. |
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| Treacodactyl |
I do believe cormorant pate was eaten in Brittany and they went to great trouble catching them so they must be good. Not got a recipe though. Are you going to try one? | ||||
| nettie |
Dunno. Not good at the disembowelling bit. Maybe I can bribe a friend to do it for me 
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| Treacodactyl |
Look forward to the article.  I wonder if Sean has any tips. 
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| Marigold123 |
I'd imagine it might have a fairly fishy taste, given the diet, but maybe you could casserole it in a recipe that would be equally suitable for fish or game, and see what happens. Make sure the rest of the ingredients are inexpensive and you don't have to worry if you don't like it.
If you decide to give it a go, we'll be eagarly awaiting your verdict! 
(The idea of pate sounds good.) |
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| tahir |
Easy peasy, I'm sure you can do it. How big are cormorants? |
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| Treacodactyl |
How bog? Not sure, but I'd say they are at least chicken size but longer and sleaker. | ||||
| nettie |
I know I'm little, Tahir, but size isn't the issue! More likely that I shall barf than have trouble wrestling it 
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| tahir |
Birds guts aren't that barfy really (well I don't think so anyway) have you seen anyone gut a bird before? I reckon as long as you're doing it fairly soon after death it's no big deal.
Just wondered how big they are because I've never seen one, goose size? |
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| Treacodactyl |
This is a serious suggestion but I chuckling as I write it (sounds a bit like a Monty Python sketch). Do you not have any good butchers who are interested? Perhaps a couple for them if they prep one? Anyone else near you who would do the prep? | ||||
| nettie |
Yes one or two people that I could bribe! | ||||
| tahir |
If I had the time I'd give you a hand (lot of help eh?) | ||||
| Treacodactyl |
They are fish eaters so I wouldn't like to bet that they're fine to gut. 
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| nettie |
Eeeeuuw!!! | ||||
| tahir |
True, but surely not that bad? |
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| Treacodactyl |
We'll find out.
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| tahir |
Keep us informed Nettie | ||||
| cab |
A quick googling brings up this:
http://www.telusplanet.net/public/prescotj/data/viandier/viandier420.html#viandier24 And, maybe more usefully, this: http://www.globalguide.org/scotland/articles/3.html |
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| nettie |
Good lord Cab you never cease to amaze me! 
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| judith |
If you are not worried about not having the bones left over to make cormorant stock, then you could just skin the bird and cut off the joints. Much faster and no contact with fishy cormorant guts at all! | ||||
| tahir |
Good idea Judith. | ||||
| nettie |
Have you tried cormorant, Judith? What's it like? | ||||
| Treacodactyl |
Chicken? (Only fishier) | ||||
| judith |
No, I've never tried it. I imagine it might need slow cooking with all that swimming it does. I'm just trying to make the dressing part sound less intimidating so you will try it. Then you can come back and tell us all about it
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| deerstalker |
Tried shelduck once and penguin in the South Atlantic.
Both were revolting................ 
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| pricey |
I have to confess(or maybe i shouldn't) to eating seagull when I was young, that was ok tasted a bit like.... no not what your thinking  seagull fishy but good. It was slow cooked and was fine, stew I think 
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| dougal |
I know cormarants have a great appetite for fish - but I rather liked the ones I've met. They're quite bright. Did anyone else see/remember a tv documentary of a couple of years ago on Chinese trained cormorants fishing and retrieving to a boat?
If I ever go to the Faroe Islands, it wouldn't be to eat puffin. But seagulls are another matter entirely. The eggs are supposedly a 'foodie' treat - anyone tried them? Any suggestions re 'candleling'-type selection? Any health problems from urban gulls eggs - salmonella? |
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| deerstalker |
Sorry eating shite hawks (sorry seagulls) is a last resort. I've eaten them in the army, but I certainly wouldn't recommend it. They scavenge on tips and rotting remains.
I've even seen them scooping up human excrement from untreated sewer outfalls. Yuk, yuk, yuk.
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| cab |
Re: Anyone tried cormorant?
So dod you try cormorant, Nettie? |
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| nettie |
No, i wasn't able to bring myself to do it, it all seems a bit fishy for my liking, and the birds have gone now for the summer. Maybe next time! | ||||
| Lloyd |
Cormorants are still very active in Shropshire. Bring your gun and I'll show you! |