Squirrel Gumbo

A few months back I to took a road trip with my oldest friend, Cheri. She was moving form Louisiana back to Washington and needed a driving buddy, at first I was reluctant to agree to drive cross country in the dead of winter, even with the southern crossing she was planning. One can only be so delighted with the idea of a cold road trip. The deal was sealed however when she informed me that if I joined her on the journey she would ask a friend to make me squirrel gumbo (yes squirrel as is small rodents usually seen eating nuts in your front yard) upon our arrival in Ruston. What food loving west coaster and good friend could have missed such a chance. She made the call and we were invite to a friends house for dinner. In fact an entire evening was planned for the Yankee who wanted to try squirrel. They were fabulous, welcoming and very excited to share the ritual and time honored tradition of squirrel hunting and cleaning. The time that went into boning a dozen squirrels in quite a commitment (remember they are rodents and small ones at that). The flavor, well I would say it fell somewhere between snake and quail. Tender, rich and very poultry like. Our little friends were cooked up with some smoky sausage, okra, onions, garlic,tomatoes and a tasty brown roux. Served over rice and with fresh baked farm bread. It was well worth 4 days spent sleeping in a car.