Introduction

Hi,

Welcome to my new blog - Cold Coon and Collard Greens! Inspired by a spontaneous, midnight coon hunting adventure with friends along the Mississippi River levee in South Louisiana, I felt compelled to share my newly acquired passion for raccoon lore with the world. First of all, I want to emphasize that we didn't shoot a coon out of the tree for sport, but for cooking at a very important LSU football tailgate party. Oh, and the compliments we got on that wonderful sweet meat -- fried to perfection by only the best of Cajun cooks!

But before we get into the stories, I'd like to share a recipe, compliments of my very own coon hunting spotlighter, Mae Reeves. (Hiya, MaeMae -- wavin' at ya -- always knew you were gonna to be famous someday, didn't ya? What's that your saying -- my hearing's getting bad? Oh, backatcha, girlfriend -- I got it!).

Oh, yeah, and I can't forget our very important levee chauffeur extraordinaire, Mr. Dana K. Larpenteur. Without Mr. Dana's masterful driving skills, our hunting vehicle could have never maintained tractioned along the soggy levee walls -- incredible work, Larp -- high-fivin' ya now! It truly takes a team to do this coon hunting thing right -- an infinitely refined skills set.

Okay, more stories later but let's get to the grub. I know your mouths are watering for these sweet coon meat recipes.

Highway 77 BBQ Coon

Ingredients:

One raccoon (dressed and de-glande)
Sweet potatoes
One onion
Two carrots
Worcestershire sauce
Salt
Pepper
Garlic
One cup water
One bottle barbecue sauce
Beer or whiskey (for cook to drink): save one splash for the sauce

Directions:

Dress, de-gland (fat/musk glands)
Place coon in foil-lined baking pan.
Add remaining ingredients.
Marinate overnight.
Throw everything on grill.

Voila -- sweet coon meat!

Highway 77 Road Kill

One raccoon, dressed and de-glanded
One lb. bacon
Salt
Pepper
Batter
Two cans beer (one for you, one for coon)

Directions:

Make sure coon is "kilt" all the way.
Dress and de-gland.
Dip in a can of beer and milk. Drink your beer at the same time.
Dip coon in seasoned flour batter or shelf batter.
Fry outside in deep fryer.
Cook until golden brown.
Remove and drain.
Allow to cool for a few minutes before slicing.