Add turtle meat and add enough boiling salted water to cover the meat. The scutes look like a series of razor-like humps, and are edged in black. They also occasionally eat aquatic plants. Spiny Softshells have a pancake-like shell with dark circles. Turtles Mites How To Identify And Treat Them. Their dark skin sports yellow to orange markings. Throw in some spices, extra pepper, and smoky sausage, and you'll have such a hearty and colorful dinner. Green Sea turtles are many colors, mostly white, cream, and brown. Just like other subspecies, their carapace is usually olive green with contoured markings and a prominent keel. Young Paints are more carnivorous but will transition to more vegetation as they get older. Whenever they feel threatened, they will quickly slide back into the water. Their diet consists of fish, amphibians, insects, vegetation, and very rarely, waterfowl. Add turtle meat and add enough boiling salted water to cover the meat. Though they start off very small and cute, they quickly grow at least 8 inches long, and can sometimes surpass that size. The Pearl and Bogue Chitto Rivers are the only two places this turtle is found. So watch out for falling turtles when visiting the Louisiana bayous. Make a roux with the cooking oil and flour in a heavy pot, preferably cast iron. In central and western areas, the Midland Smooth Softshell (Apalone Mutica Mutica) can be found. Quick list of the native turtles of Louisiana: Alligator Snapping Turtle Macroclemys temminckii Common Snapping Turtle Chelydra serpentina serpentina Common Musk Turtle (Stinkpot) Sternotherus odoratus Gopher Tortoise Gopherus polyphemus Gulf Coast Box Turtle Terrapene carolina major Gulf Coast Smooth Softshell Apalone mutica calvata To roux add onions both yellow and green, celery, bell pepper (holy trinity) and garlic. Make a thin batter with the Bisquick, seasonings and water. It has been said that turtle tastes like chicken, but that seems to be the answer for any type of odd meat. 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. In a 5-quart saucepan, melt the remaining butter. These turtles have a high domed shell that they can close themselves into when threatened. The Eastern Painted turtle inhabits wetlands, ponds, streams, and more waterways from Nova Scotia all the way down to Louisiana. Reduce by half. Red Eared Sliders have smooth carapaces that start off green and highly patterned but will darken as they age. 1 pound deboned turtle meat 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 teaspoons dried thyme 1 teaspoons dried oregano teaspoon ground clove 1 teaspoon chile powder 2 onions, finely diced 1 stalk celery, finely diced 2 green bell peppers, finely diced 2 tablespoons minced garlic teaspoon ground allspice 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground coriander Metairie 1: Old Metairie: 1517 Metairie Road. Add celery, green onions, peppers, wine and seasoning. Add the yellow onion, celery, bay leaves, thyme, paprika and cayenne to taste. You dont have to be in Louisiana to eat turtles. There is a yellow stripe that runs from the snout on either side to behind both eyes. Turtle noses dimple the water's surface inside the trap. In a medium microwave-safe bowl, add 8 ounces chocolate and heat to melt, about 1 minute on high power. They have a greyish green carapace and pale yellow bottom. 8. State law prohibits the trade of box turtles, and of the creatures' eggs or parts and forbids people from taking wild box . These turtles are mostly carnivorous, feeding on tadpoles, fish, crayfish, dragonflies, spiders, and other aquatic insects. Their scutes are ridged and patterned with concentric rings, giving the carapace a sculpted appearance. While not great swimmers, these turtles prefer slower moving waterways with plenty of vegetation. The Eastern Box turtle lives among forest floors and other areas with plenty of damp soil. They look like leathery pancakes, and lack a hard carapace to protects themselves. Heat candy for 1 1/2 to 2 hours until melted. Eastern Mud turtles are omnivorous and mainly eat worms, snails and other mollusks and sometimes fish. Country folks cook turtle differently. Add tomato pure, lower heat and simmer for 10 minutes. On their head and limbs, youll see wide yellow to white stripes. Their shells can vary from black and brown to gray or olive. Eastern Musk turtles have dark, unmarked shells. Add onions, garlic, tomato paste, and tomatoes. The Pearl River Map turtle is a rare subspecies of Map turtle, seen only in Louisiana and Mississippi. Otherwise, they look very similar with the smooth carapace, and stripes along their extremities. Cooking . [], 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. What we do is soak the turtle in milk for 30 minutes - hour (in the refrigerator). Spoon tablespoons full of hot caramel over the pecans. Place a small amount of oil in a Dutch oven or large pot. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. Our goal is to do the same thing, offering Justin's recipes, cookbooks, music, seasonings, and other fine food products to everyone. Ingredients: Method: Melt 2 sticks of butter in a heavy saucepan. An outstanding version of the old-fashioned turtle soup, with flavors of lemon, sherry, pepper, and turtle balancing each other out into a superb whole. Preheat air fryer to 360. Add garlic and cook until fragrant around 3 minutes. Allow to cool until meat can be handled. Filter Results: Appetizers (26) Desserts (18) 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. A vertebral keel is noticeable in juveniles but fades out with age. Make Cajun groceries online with CajunGrocer.com. Add the chefs seasonings, mushrooms, olives and garlic powder. Add onions, garlic, tomato paste, and tomatoes. Eastern Box turtles enjoy a wide range of foods. Cajun Catfish Courtbouillon. They prefer permanent bodies of water as well as marshy areas. Here is our comprehensive guide to the native turtles in Louisiana. Add a little more oil if necessary and lightly saut the onion, celery and bell pepper. They dig in the mud and among vegetation to find prey. Every Thursday you'll receive new recipes, events &festivals and more. This is what gives them their name. Razorback Musk turtles are mainly an aquatic turtle species common across much of Louisiana. Chicken turtles are omnivores who mainly feed on crustaceans, fish and invertebrates as well as plants. Weve also taken a quick look at the Gopher tortoise, a vulnerable terrestrial species native to Louisiana. Add garlic and tomato paste, and cook 2 minutes. 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. Chicken turtles are a semi-aquatic species that have long, striped necks and oval shaped shells. Your Cart Close Cart Panel. From fish, crayfish, mollusks, insects, tadpoles, and an abundance of vegetation. Be sure to check out the links below. Heres a easy turtle recipe that tastes fantastic. Soup Recipes. 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. Discovery, Inc. or its subsidiaries and affiliates. A species of endangered sea turtles were discovered nesting this summer on the beaches of Louisiana's Chandeleur Islands for the first time in 75 years. In this extensive list, we have covered the 20 native species of turtles in Louisiana. The main habitats for Three-toed Box turtles are woodlands and other grassland areas such as meadows. Adult tortoises are dull grey, brown, or tan with large, domed shells. Painted turtles are omnivorous and mainly eat mollusks, frogs, and underwater invertebrates. Do not add water or wine. Of course Jambalaya, Po-Boys and sweet Beignets are obvious choices but another traditional favorite is the hearty and delicious soups. A federally threatened species of turtle, the Ringed Map turtle is illegal to keep as a pet in many states, including Louisiana. Check our Alligator Snapping turtle care guide for more on how to care for one as a pet. Remove the meat from the pot and pull it off the bones. Lower the heat to medium, add both types of onions, the celery, and garlic. There was a report of a few people eating a Three Toed Box turtle, then subsequently becoming sick. I'm trying to find other turtle recipes, besides soup. When hibernating, the Mud turtle will dig into the soft ground and bury itself until spring. Their shells can vary from black and brown to gray or olive. Add the roux and cook over low heat, stirring, until the soup is smooth and thickened. Besides various freshwater and land turtles, the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, along the coastal parishes, host five different species of sea turtles. cans of sliced mushrooms 1 7-oz. Serves 6. When mud and algae are not covering their shells you may see olive green or dark brown coloration. Cook until turtle is tender. Their shells are usually olive green, with fluted edges marked in yellow. Return heat to medium-high, add sherry, and scrape bottom of pot to loosen any browned bits. Stir to blend. This is definitely not recommended as these turtles carry an extremely powerful bite. Ringed Map turtles are a federally threatened subspecies of Map turtle, and are illegal to keep as pets in many states. Southern Painted turtles are almost half the size of full grown Eastern Paints. Snapping turtle meat can be delicious if the turtles are cleaned properly and making sure the meat is tenderized. Frog Leg RecipesBest Fish RecipesWild Game Recipes. Their shells are green to olive with yellow and black markings. Add the flour and cook, stirring frequently, over medium heat until the roux is light brown. Three Toed Box turtles sometimes mate with other Box turtle species when they meet, often creating hybrids. In fact, it was considered a subspecies of the Ouachita Map Turtle until very recently! After the five minutes, add in the vanilla extract, and stir. There are some restaurants in Louisiana that still serve turtle dishes. Add the Rotel tomatoes, the tomato sauce, the tomato paste and the bay leaves. Remove from heat and serve. They will consume aquatic animals such as mollusks, insects, fish, and amphibians, as well as a wide variety of vegetation. Add the remaining ingredients except for the turtle meat and cook 10 minutes stirring constantly until ingredients are blended. 11. They usually dwell in the Mississippi river areas of Louisiana in central and northern counties. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The shell also has a wrinkled appearance, and the plastron (lower part of the shell) is yellowish or tan. Top with remaining pastry rectangles; press edges with a fork to seal. Home; Seafood ; Alligator, Turtle, Frog; Alligator, Turtle, Frog The Gopher Tortoise is the only native species of tortoise found in Louisiana, and it is a threatened species. Jerald Horst is a retired Louisiana State University professor of fisheries. 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. In a Louisiana study turtles were found in the stomachs of 79.82% of all alligator snapping turtles. 2 lb. Naturally, there was an abundance of wines . Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for about three hours. Diamond-backed terrapins have wedge-shaped shells that range between brown or gray to yellow and even black. AUDIO & VIDEO PRODUCTS. Females will lay 3 to 5 nests in a season, then take a year or two off before nesting again. 1. These odd looking turtles definitely resemble pancakes. The Pearl River Map turtle is a rare subspecies of Map turtle, seen only in Louisiana and Mississippi. (Cook until all water is gone and turtle is brown.) They can also stay underwater for a long time. Turtle sauce piquants are especially favored in Des Allemands, Mark and Noochs hometown. Chicken Clemenceau. Add half of turtle meat, teaspoon salt, and teaspoon pepper; cook until meat is browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Their bodies have light colored speckles on their skin. They can produce a bite force of nearly 1,000 pounds. Softshell turtles have long necks, and long, pointed snouts to help them reach the surface of the water without moving. The smallest of all the sea turtles and the most critically endangered, the Kemps Ridley Sea turtle grows just over 2 feet long. They are terrestrial turtles that dont spend much time at all in the water. These tortoises prefer scrublands and dry prairies where the soil is easy to dig. Coat a large cast-iron skillet with the oil. food cake mix, buttermilk, canola oil, eggs, onion, chopped, green bell pepper, seeded and chopped and. They are usually dark brown in color. Ornate Box turtles are mainly found in Louisianas southwestern areas, but there are a few scattered populations elsewhere in the state. Their skin feel like sandpaper, and they have long, tapered beaks. Dinner Recipes. Females leave the water to lay eggs but thats about it. If so, then feel free to comment below whether you are looking to purchase a turtle or are just a herpetology enthusiast! You Might Also Like. Coloring ranges from brown to olive ringed with yellow, with patterns that resemble a net. Their preferred habitats are open, grassy areas. Muted cream or yellow plastrons and undersides. Return first batch of meat to pot along with onion, celery, and bell pepper; cook until vegetables soften, about 10 minutes. Their heads are dark with pointed snouts. They range through grasslands and prairies that dont always have access to water. All of these species are endangered. It's also the rarest, and, . Add the flour and cook, stirring frequently, over medium heat until the roux is light brown. The Best Turtle Food for a Healthy Pet. Alligator Meat 1 lb $22.99. Turtle soup is considered one of the great classical Creole dishes of yore in New Orleans. For more information, see our Leatherback sea turtle page. Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler. Snapping turtles are habitat generalists and will inhabit most types of water. Boneless Turtle Meat 5 lb bag $139.99. Eastern Spiny Softshells (Apalone Spinifera Spinifera) inhabit northern counties, while the Gulf Coast Spiny Softshell (Apalone Spinifera Aspera) is found in the southeast. Brush edges of pastry with beaten egg. They will eat algae, insects, clams, crayfish, and more, but it appears that caddisfly larvae are a favorite among these turtles. These turtles are swift not only in the water but on land too. Half an hour before serving, add the sliced lemon and butter. You may see small Diamondback Terrapins, medium sized Red Eared Sliders, or large Softshell or Snapping turtles in the waters around the state. Unfortunately, this vulnerable terrestrial species is in decline. This includes other species of turtle! 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. Cover bowl with moistened towel and place in refrigerator overnight. They can inhabit tidal marshes, and estuaries but they rarely spend time in full-strength saltwater. They mainly eat insects, but also mollusks and crayfish. Males have a prominent keel protruding from their dark green shells. Return heat to medium-high, add sherry, and scrape bottom of pot to loosen any browned bits. They are carnivores and will feed on any crustaceans, invertebrates, and mollusks they can find. They will also eat plants such as berries or cacti. Ingredients: 2 pounds ground turtle meat salt and cayenne pepper to taste cup vegetable oil 1 cup flour 2 cups diced onions 1 cup diced celery 1 cup diced green bell peppers cup minced garlic 2 (8-ounce) cans tomato sauce 2 quarts beef stock (see recipe) 1 lemon, sliced Louisiana hot sauce to taste cup sliced green onions Their numbers were limited when it was discovered, and even now not much is known about this species. Another pancake turtle, the Spiny Softshell sometimes has dark circles or spots on the flat, brown or grey, floppy carapace. These turtles are protected in American waters, but that doesnt stop poachers from taking them. These include Green Sea turtles, Hawksbill Sea turtles, Leatherback and Loggerhead sea turtles, and Kemps Ridley sea turtles. Painted turtles have smooth, flattened carapaces that range from olive to black. The Sportsmans Paradise has a wide variety of reptiles you may come across while on your travels. They are the smallest subspecies of the Painted turtle. Add hot sauce. Cook slowly for 20 to 30 minutes. Though you may never see them because they are reclusive and will drop into the water when disturbed. Add turtle meat and add enough boiling salted water to cover the meat. Put in heavy pot and add all other ingredients. The Sabine Map Turtle is a very close relative of the Ouachita Map Turtle. Louisiana, though typically shown as nothing but swampland, actually has a wide variety of landscapes. cookies, vegetable oil, butter, white sugar, powdered sugar, eggs, flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, vanilla extract, ritz crackers (or any buttery round cracker) and. These beautiful little turtles have prominent, black-tipped ridges running down the spine of their brown to olive shells. They prefer moving water such as rivers. 504-875-4555. Select farm raised Louisiana turtle meat. Unfortunately, they still are nowhere near the numbers they should be. Cook until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Gopher tortoises dig burrows that other animals use once it has abandoned them. Clarence was known far and wide as a turtle man, and he always had live turtles in holding cars in the bayou. Males have very long claws and longer tails than females. There is also 1 species of tortoise native to Louisiana which is the Gopher tortoise. When tree branches hang low, or reach into the water, Mud turtles will climb up them and search for food in trees. Remove from juice and wash in cool water, debone it, cut into pieces and set aside. Females are able to handle larger prey as they are bigger and have stronger jaws. Drain the meat and reserve the turtle water. Remove meat and save broth. Though they dont touch carrion in advanced decay. We also looked at 5 species of sea turtles that visit the coastlines of Louisiana. Cook until wilted.Add turtle, mushrooms, Kitchen Bouquet, tomatoes and bring to low boil. Add lemon juice, eggs and parsley. To tell a Ouachita Map turtle from other Map turtles, look for large yellow or white spots on the side of their heads. They can often be seen swimming in the water with their heads poking out, similar to periscopes. Add onions, garlic, tomato paste, and tomatoes. Basking in the sun helps to increase the dark coloration. 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 Their strong jaws are capable of crushing their prey. In most species of softshell turtles, the females are way bigger than the males. Ouachita Map turtles can be distinguished from other Map turtles by the large yellow spots on the sides of their heads. Make a brown roux of the fat and flour. There are also 5 species of sea turtles that can be seen in the waters off the coasts of Louisiana. 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 . Small yellow spots behind the eyes separate the Northern Map turtle from other species. These evasive turtles are found across Louisiana and can breathe underwater. Cover and cook over medium high heat for approximately 30 minutes. Harvest of turtle eggs is prohibited except for eggs of the red-eared slider. Although they cannot be kept as pets, we have provided a quick overview of each species below. Let cook on a low/med heat until it is mixed well (approx 10 minutes) and then add water to continue the gravy. Cook bacon in stew pot until done, remove bacon and set aside. As with many other turtles, Ouachita Map turtles are omnivores. Add the bay leaves and about a tablespoon of salt. You can hunt both species of Snapping turtles and Softshell turtles, but be sure to check out Louisianas Hunting regulations before doing so. Crustaceans, invertebrates, mollusks, fish, tadpoles, frogs, and insects make up most of their diet. To oil and drippings add flour and make roux. Though they will bask more often than other musk turtles, they dont leave the water for much else. The Eastern River Cooter is a colorful medium to large turtle. Cook until the seasonings are soft, about 20 minutes. There they hibernate until the temperatures warm up and they emerge. They will also eat some vegetation. Quick . They can sometimes be seen basking on rocks or logs at the edge of the water, but are notoriously difficult to capture. They still have a hinged plastron (lower shell) and can withdraw completely for protection, but they are usually a drab brown color. Juveniles feed more on insects, small fish, and mollusks as they need the protein to grow faster. They usually feed on mollusks, crustaceans, invertebrates and small fish as well as plants. The skin along the limbs, head, and neck is usually dark brown to black with yellow stripes. When they hunt together the turtles use their sharp claws and beaks to tear pieces off the birds and eat them. Brown turtle pieces slowly in bacon grease over medium heat.Add 4 cups beef broth and bring to boil. Also known as Stinkpots due to the strong smell they can release from their musk glands, Eastern Musk turtles use this ability to protect themselves from predators. Bring the candy mixture to 240 F, and let the candy mixture cook for about 5 minutes without stirring. Any body got a good turtle recipe? When threatened, the Eastern Mud turtle will pull itself into the shell, but it may also bite, for these turtles are aggressive. Try our $10 Trial Subscription (3 issues). In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepot over high heat, melt the butter and brown the turtle pieces, about 10 to 12 minutes. We love hearing from our readers. They have large, rounded limbs with thick, sharp claws. cake, food cake mix, buttermilk, canola oil, eggs and. Melvin Vanacor, Sr, (1934-2003) was always called by his nickname T-Nom, which means little man in Cajun French. The plastron of these turtles is yellow. I have a great turtle soup recipe but how much meat do you have so I can convert it for you. #8. turtle meat Cooking oil 2 14-oz. Its thought that these turtles can consume poisonous mushrooms and toadstools, which then causes them to become mildly toxic. Thats why you can find such a wide range of reptiles. Keep reading as we go over all the native turtles found in and around Louisiana. Remove the cake from the oven and allow the cake to cool to room temperature, then poke holes all over. Hunters take these shells and turn them into frivolous trinkets such as glasses rims, hair accessories, lamps, and other such items. Check out our Loggerhead sea turtle page for more information. Limbs are solid colored, while the head tends to have lighter colored stripes. Mussels, clams, and other bi-valves as well as crayfish and snails make up most of this turtles diet. Drain on paper towel. In another glass bowl, add the all-purpose flour, corn starch, and season with a little more Cajun seasoning. They are mostly carnivorous and eat earthworms, insects, and occasionally carrion. As long as you follow proper rules you can hunt turtles in Louisiana. Add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic, and saut until wilted in the brownings. Frequently referred to as the Common Mud Turtle, these turtles have a highly domed carapace with no ridges or patterns. Bring it to a boil and reduce. Ingredients 4 tablespoons butter, divided 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided 2 pounds turtle meat, patted dry and cut into -inch cubes, divided 1 teaspoon salt, divided 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided 2 red onions, chopped 3 stalks celery, chopped 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped 6 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon tomato paste Learn how your comment data is processed. This subspecies of Map turtle is mostly carnivorous; they feed on mollusks, clams, and insects. Continue to cook on a med/low - med heat (not boiling) until turtle is tender. Loggerheads are able to stay submerged for nearly 60 hours without coming up for a breath. 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. Because of this, they are natural seed dispersers for many plants. Store Locator; Recipes. Add onions, garlic, tomato paste, and tomatoes. T-Nom was a professional catfisherman, but every spring, when loggerhead turtles started stirring, his thoughts turned to turtles. Flippers also have claws at their elbows. In a 4-quart heavy-bottomed pot melt 2 Tbsp butter. Add turtle meat and lightly brown on all sides. They begin nesting in April and continue on until September. They put turtle meat in their pots lots of it and they put the wine in the cook instead of the pot. They are primarily carnivorous, although they do sometimes eat certain algae. Cook slowly for 20 to 30 minutes. Stir in 8 cups water and tomatoes. A subspecies of the Loggerhead Musk turtle, Stripe-necked Musk turtles are small, quick aquatic turtles found in counties of Louisiana that border Mississippi. Brown turtle meat on medium/high. Simmer until nearly done. Working in batches, add soup to the work bowl of a blender, and blend on high speed until thick. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. If youre lucky, maybe you could see them during this amazing process! Reduce by half.