Squirrel Cakes with Spicy Slaw

Squirrel Cakes with Spicy Slaw

Squirrel Cakes with Spicy Slaw
Andrew Weisner, @andrew.weisner

My Story:

My wife and I are both avid hunters. I introduced her to the outdoors through deer hunting when we started dating. After taking her first deer (whitetail doe) she was hooked. We are both good cooks and enjoy cooking together.

My recipe was developed out of necessity, due to an abundance of squirrels from a successful 2017 season. We usually take off the opening day of squirrel season (Aug 15 in Indiana), and hunt at my grandpa’s cabin. Our son was born in December 2016 and we were unable to get a babysitter for the opener. Lucky for us, our beech trees in the back yard were loaded with beech nuts and squirrels! We were able to limit out several times during the season from our back patio between naptime and taking turns feeding our son.

I hope you enjoy our squirrel cakes with spicy slaw.

Ingredients:

Slaw Dressing:

  • ¼ teaspoon Cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon Paprika
  • ½ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon Red Pepper Flake
  • 2 Tablespoons Yellow Mustard
  • 4 Tablespoons White Vinegar
  • 1 Cup Real Mayo
  • ½ Cup Sugar
  • 3 Shakes Crystal Hot Sauce
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

Slaw Mix:

  • ½ Head Purple Cabbage
  • 1 Head Cabbage
  • 4 Carrots

Squirrel Cakes:

  • 4 Squirrels
  • 2 Cups Stock
  • 1 ¼ Cup Crushed Club Crackers
  • 1/3 Cup Celery chopped
  • 1 Small Onion chopped
  • 1 Green Pepper chopped
  • 1 Carrot chopped
  • 1 Tablespoon Stone Ground Mustard
  • 1 Clove Garlic chopped
  • Juice of ½ Lemon
  • Zest of 1 Lemon
  • Juice of 2 Key limes
  • 1 Cup Mayo
  • 1 Jalapeño chopped without seeds
  • 1 Egg
  • Avocado Oil
  • Old Bay Seasoning
  • ½ Tablespoon Salt

Instructions:

  1. Combine slaw dressing ingredients, mix well and set aside.
  2. Finely shred purple cabbage, cabbage and carrots (I use a potato peeler making 1in stokes to shred carrots).
  3. Combine slaw mix with slaw dressing 30-45 min before serving.
  4. Liberally season 4 whole squirrels with Old Bay seasoning and place in a crockpot with 2 cups stock. Cook on high until squirrels are fork tender and can shred off bone. Drain liquid, shred meat, remove bones and set aside.
  5. In a food processor combine celery, onion, green pepper, carrot, garlic, stone ground mustard, lemon juice, lime juice, salt, and Jalapeño. Pulse for about 20-30 sec until items are blended.
  6. In a mixing bowl add crushed Club crackers, mayo, egg, lemon zest and mixture from processor and squirrel meat. Combine ingredients.
  7. Place a cast iron skillet with avocado oil on medium-ish heat. I have a piece of crap electric stovetop with a 1-10 setting. I use number 4 for reference.
  8. Patty squirrel cake in hand and place in oil. Squirrel cake should be about as round as baseball and about 1in thick (should make 10-12).
  9. Cook 3-4 min each side or until cooked all the way through.
  10. Plate slaw, add squirrel cake and serve with lemon wedge.
  11. This dish is best accompanied with an ice-cold beer. An IPA or Pale ale cut through the heat of the slaw. Lime beers (Bud Light Lime, Uinta Lime Pilsner) also pair well.

Serves 6

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