Posted on 03/05/2025 8:48:28 AM PST by Red Badger
In a development that may not completely square with new HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s crusade to "Make America Healthy Again," government officials suggested that people should deal with the growing population of an invasive rodent species the old-fashioned way.
By eating them.
In a story reported by The New York Post, the federal government has helpfully informed Americans that nutria — an invasive rat-like rodent species increasing in population across the country — may be perfect for your next meal.
As part of National Invasive Species Awareness Week, the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife Services released a list of the top five invasive species that can safely be caught, captured, and cooked in an effort to crack down on overpopulation.
The nutria topped the list. The agency noted that hunting the rodent isn't an end-all-be-all solution, but that it's a step in the right direction.
With everyone talking about the rising cost of meat these days, it should come as a tremendous relief that dinner for your family may be just as close as your nearby swamp or river bank.
Nutria can specifically be found along the Gulf Coast, in the Pacific Northwest, and in the Southeastern United States. Its exact population, though, is unknown.
The rat-like behemoth is larger than a muskrat and smaller than a beaver — two animals they're often mistaken for. They can weigh anywhere between 15 and 20 pounds.
Sounds delicious, right?
So put to rest any worries you may have about being able to feed your family amid ongoing inflation.
Giant swamp rat. It's what's for dinner!
You gotta try some rattle snake. Delicious. I went to the rattle snake fest in Oklahoma and tried it all. Rattle snake chili was particularly delicious.
Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans,......been there!... Stood on the Glass Shark tank about six months before it collapsed.....................
I like turkey and chicken dark meat, so there’s that. And let’s face it, swamp water is probably cleaner than some of the food factories we depend on now.
The guy that milled our logs a few years back is from Eastern Europe and he said that when they were under Soviet rule, and were hungry, he remembers his mom cooking nutriafairly often. He said it wasn’t bad, and it kept his family from starving
A perfectly sane thing to eat...
No. Rodents, though. No real reason not to eat them.
nothing wrong with eating nutria; rural folks have long eaten both squirrels and beaver throughout our history ...
I’d eat it!
If you can make it into spicy sausage, even better!.............
Wow! Turns out I'm just like a pioneer!
Sounds delicious!......................
Many years ago, the Cajuns tried to figure out a way to eat those things. They failed. And if the Cajuns cannot figure out how to make something edible, what hope do the rest of us have?
One of the local game wardens in his day was chef level with his BBQ nutria.
I love Brunswick stew made with the original squirrel based recipe. So, what’s the difference between tree rats and swamp rats? I’m not talking about the swamp rats that infest D.C. either.
Then maybe toss some Muskrat love in there too?
The Princess Bride, one of my favorite 🍿 movies!
“Assss…Youuuu…Wiiishh!!!”
“Wow! Turns out I’m just like a pioneer!”
LOL!
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