x
  • Bookmark and ShareShare
  • Earn Points
    What's this?
Top 10 invasive species you can eat
From lionfish to rabbits, we've got recipes to help eat our way out of the invasive species problem.
Wed, Jan 12 2011 at 12:55 PM
 182

Related Topics:

Recipes, Sustainability
frog eyes

Photo: Nick Harris/Flickr

Last week I told you about invasivores, people who eat invasive species for the express purpose of controlling the species so they don't devastate ecoystems. A representative from Roger Williams University contacted me and told me they had done research on eating invasive species and had come up with a list of invasive species that can be eaten. I thought it would be interesting to share the list with you. I’ve also tracked down recipes for them.
  1. Lionfish. Lionfish Romesco Stew was featured in The Washington Post last summer. It was also called the sustainable “it” seafood that conservationists say more people should begin eating.
  2. Asian carp. The Bowfishing Association of Illinois has a recipe for Smoked Asian Carp that can be prepared two ways — savory or sweet. You’ll have to scroll half way down the page to find the specific recipes.
  3. Brassica rapa (aka turnip mustard or field mustard). The Selfsufficientish blog has information about this invasive plant species and a recipe for Simple Mashed Turnips.
  4. American cannonball jellyfish. Apparently eating jellyfish is common in Asia. (I didn’t know they were edible.) The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has some instructions on how to prepare jellyfish to be added to salad or served alongside vegetables.
  5. Kudzu. I found several suggestions for kudzu on Grandpappy’s Basic Recipes. Both the leaves and the blossoms can be used to create teas, salads and even wine.
  6. Bullfrog. In France, frog legs are considered a treat. I’m not so sure I’d want to give them a try, but garlic makes everything better so maybe this recipe for Garlic Frogs Legs from Food.com might make them seem more palatable.
  7. Feral pigs/wild boar. If you’re a skilled hunter and want to help thin out the invasive pig and boar population, you might as well make a meal out of your kill, right? Texas Gourmet has a recipe for Sugar Cured Feral Hog that is cooked in a BBQ pit.
  8. European green crab. Green crabs can be used in most crab recipes, although they are smaller than many crabs so getting enough meat can be time-consuming. Try Green Crab Enchiladas from Big Oven or Green Crab Soup from Epicurious.
  9. Rusty crayfish. The only time I’ve ever eaten crayfish (also called crawfish) was in New Orleans in an etouffee. I’d try Emeril’s Crawfish Etouffee recipe if you’ve got an overabundance of rusty crayfish you’re looking to cook up and eat.
  10. Rabbit. I’ve eaten rabbit in restaurants. It’s got one of those “tastes like chicken” flavors but a bit gamier. The one time it was served on the bone, I could clearly see the shape of the little rabbit leg, and it kind of ruined the dish for me. So, I suggest if you don’t want to think about eating rabbit while you are eating it, go boneless. Try this Hassenpfeffer (rabbit stew) recipe from allrecipes.com.
Have you ever eaten any of these invasive species? I’d love to know how it was prepared and what you thought of it. 
 

The opinions expressed by MNN Bloggers and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of MNN.com. While we have reviewed their content to make sure it complies with our Terms and Conditions, MNN is not responsible for the accuracy of any of their information.

You might also like:

Join the conversation

Comments: 182
Sign in with one of these accounts to add your comment.
anonymous
joey Jan 14 2011 at 12:00 PM

tried beetle, shark, snakes, gator, once had dog flop but that was an accident...

|
anonymous
SAW Jan 14 2011 at 11:54 AM

Considering their impact on wetlands, Nutria would be an obvious invasive to add to this list. I've never had access to the meat so I haven't tried it.

I actually doubt that we could make much of a dent in their populations but it certainly wouldn't hurt to try. I just hope their role as a potential food source doesn't diminish the public perception as to the harm that invasive species have created. Good article.

http://abbesworld.wordpress.com/2009/02/24/nutria-part-rodent-part-beave...

|
anonymous
Stewart Feb 25 2011 at 4:01 PM

Nutria is good. There have been repeated attempts to get people to eat it around here (New Orleans) including a festival were it was prepared many ways by local chefs. Unfortunately it hasn't caught on. On reason is that the meat from most wild animals, even if they are pests, is still so much trouble to collect that it costs too much.

|
anonymous
Ken Jan 14 2011 at 10:38 AM

You can eat a number of fish commonly discarded as garbage fish. The snake fish is edible and incredibly invasive and damaging to native fish stocks. There is a website called garbagefish dot com that you can visit to see recipes and photos of ways to cook these types of fish.

|
anonymous
Dan Jan 13 2011 at 10:56 PM

Grew up on Rabbit, frog legs, dandelion greens, crawfish - all very good. I especially miss frog legs....

|
anonymous
Carptracker Jan 13 2011 at 10:33 AM
I've eaten 2,3, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 10. Although rabbits, bullfrogs, and cannonball jellys are not exotics where I have lived. All of them except the cannonballs are quite good to eat. I did not like the jellyfish preparation. It was prepared by some Asian friends and it was like putting a glob of petroleum jelly in your mouth - and equally difficult to get off the inside of your mouth. I love mustard greens and the invasive brassica is quite good. I also like it in the Asian preparation where
.... More
it is cooked on the table in an electric pan kind of like a fondue with lots of other things to throw in. Asian carps are delicious but boney. Search for "flying fish great dish" on youtube for instructions on cleaning. BUT - it is important to remember that there are downsides to creating markets and uses for invasive species. If they have value to a few people, then there is little to keep those few people from spreading the invasives, even though most people hate them and they damage the environment. Also, if we develop ways to control an invasive species that does environmental damage, but markets have developed for the species and people have livelihoods wrapped up in harvesting the invasive species, it can be politically problematic to activate those controls.
|
anonymous
dnsmith Jan 14 2011 at 11:10 AM
I routinely eat bull frogs when available - used to go frogging as a kid, with a head light and a gig or grab. Wild pig is a favorite in my family and eliminating them is a favorite with the game control people in the area. I do prefer the younger female hog as the male of any size has a faint taste of iodine. My absolute favorite food in this world is crawfish bisque. Grind the meat with green onions, garlic, salt and pepper with a little bread and raw egg to hold it together and either stuff it
.... More
back into the head shell or make into boules (meat balls.) Rabbit is another childhood favorite. Young rabbit is good chicken fried, but my family's favorite is Sauce Piquante. Saute onions, green pepper, celery and garlic; add tomato paste or chopped tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste and stew until tender. Hot red pepper is good too. Thicken with a little flour.
|

EDITORS' PICKS

tease weird things

line

tease cellars

line

tease fishing

Advertisement
From our sponsor

GP Facebook link

NEWSLETTER

Mother Nature. Delivered
Advertisement