Wild Game: Have you ever tried eating Kangaroo Meat?

Side Note: At the bottom of this post, there will be another semi-related post entitled "Is a ‘Small Game Cleaning Kit’ Really Necessary?" I recently deleted an old website of mine and decided to combine some of the related pages together before I start spreading out all of the stand-alone articles amid multiple blogs, etc. But back to the original subject...

Originally, I was going to place this query within the Q & A section @ HubPages (I no longer publish there anymore), but when my question went over the seemingly ridiculous restricted word limit, I thought I would make a quick post about it, instead. So, the reason why this page isn't packed with lots of awesome info and the word count isn't high, is because this is more of a Q & A style post, although I'll try to make it a bit more. In a thumbnail, I'd like your input about wild game, why or if you think it is healthier, which is your favorite and, most of all, what do you think about eating Kangaroo meat... You can share some odd recipes or some freaky marinade secrets for all I care, as there are certain cultures out there that can make many meats that you'd think weren't edible, taste good - well, so I hear, anyway.

Quick reminder: I'm not eating snake or any other type of reptile, so please spare me from the reptilian tidbits; ha!

Anyway, I've thought for many years how wild game is so much more healthier for you, even before the majority of the public became abundantly aware of all the chemicals, hormones, etc., that is being pumped into the common meats found at local supermarkets. When it comes to wild game, though, I've only ate rabbit, squirrel and deer on rare occasions. On the other hand, I've ate many wild-caught fish, but I don't think that relates to this particular subject. Even though I think wild game is healthier, I fall for convenience and usually buy lean cuts of beef, chicken and pork from the local grocery store. On a side note, I have bought local farm-raised cow before and steer clear from certain "fresh" meats that are injected with chemicals and never seem to ruin, and I also try to avoid sodium-nitrite laced processed meats, as much as possible.

At any rate, what made me think about eating Kangaroo meat, although I've never tried it, was Australia. I was thinking of all the possible cool (not as in temperature, like Greenland or Antarctica; ha!) places to live on this planet, and when Australia came to mind, I couldn't help but think of hot weather and Kangaroo burgers. The area sounds nice, lots of wildlife, scenery, etc., but I like my cold, cheap American beer and rib-eye steak, boneless pork chops, chicken leg quarters, whole fryers, and so on. With that thought in mind, I thought I'd ask this question in case somebody has some pointers on how to cook this stuff and/or how it tastes compared to beef, deer, etc., in the event that I ever get in the mood to try several exotic meats, not that the Australians think Kangaroo meat is exotic or anything; ha! I figure that it probably tastes like deer, sort of tough, and needs a good marinade like Worcestershire sauce or something.

I recently read that Kangaroo meat is exported to over 55 countries worldwide. Wow! Those wild suckers really hop around!

Both the meat and the hides are sold from this type of meaty marsupial, although most species of macropod are protected from game hunting by law (except a small number of the overly populated, larger-sized species). Of course, this doesn't make some of the animal rights activists very happy, to say the least. But then again, there's support from a broad range of professional ecologists in Australia - groups such as the Ecological Society of Australia, for example. Per Wikipedia: "Such groups argue that basing agricultural production systems on native animals rather than introduced livestock like sheep (bah-ha-ha) offers considerable ecological advantages to the fragile Australian rangelands and could save greenhouse gas emissions."

So, now that we got that out of the way, what else do those Australians eat for wild game meat? ... Holy cow! I just stumbled upon a Bandicoot Soup recipe while searching online! If you're wondering, a bandicoot is a small Australian marsupial that looks like a rat, kangaroo and opossum - all wrapped into one mini rodent-looking creature. Dang, I guess some people really will eat anything if cooked properly. Well, I think I'll hold on the soup recipe...

Now, let's go back to the Kangaroo... I just checked on the web while using the keywords "how to cook Kangaroo meat" and it appears that I assumed right, in that the meat would be tough if not cooked properly due to it being extra lean, and generally most cuts would need a good soak in a tasty marinade beforehand to help tenderize and add flavor. I keep reading about how it should be cooked quickly and not to exceed medium-rare for most cuts, blah, blah. Okay, I just learned that "Kanga Banga" is kangaroo sausage. Hmm, I wonder if they add pork fat to that? I know when I was a butcher, I'd add pork fat to deer meat so I could make deer sausage, and I'd add beef fat to deer meat so I could make deer burgers, and so on.

Additional Resources for the post "Wild Game: Have you ever tried eating Kangaroo Meat?"

Related Links:
Smoked kangaroo fillet, Kangaroo Fritz, Kangaroo mettwurst, Kangaroo pepperoni, Kangaroo kabana, uh, okay, that's enough reading on Kangaroo cuisines. If you'd like to find a cooking guide for such things, visit: Wild Oz (link has been deactivated).
Although he lost me with all the stuff he cooked with it, if you'd like to check out this guy's kangaroo roast dinner, go here: http://sixthseal.com/2013/04/how-to-cook-kangaroo-meat-a-kangaroo-roast-dinner/
* How to Cook Kangaroo Meat [link is no longer valid]
Well, there you have it; cheers!

Side Note: It looks like the resource links have either been deactivated or no longer valid. It happens; especially after a post has been around for a few years. Either way, there are plenty of websites out there that cover this subject, so in the event you need to search for cooking techniques, recipes for kangaroo, etc., it shouldn't be a problem.

Playful Image:

 

Funny Image - Relaxed Kangaroo:

---End of Part 1: "Wild Game: Have you ever tried eating Kangaroo Meat?"

Part 2: "Is a ‘Small Game Cleaning Kit’ Really Necessary?"

Original Post Date: 7-30-2012

…This thought just sort of popped into my mind earlier, while reminiscing about how I used to get out in nature more while hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, and so on. I still take part in some things that relate to outdoors, but gardening, taking short walks in the woods, target practicing, and building fires in a fire pit doesn’t cover the same ground as the things I mentioned prior.

Anyway, I was looking around the house and checking out some old gear, knives, guns, etc., only to realize that I no longer have any of my fishing equipment. Hmm, I must have lost it? Threw it away? Dang, has it been that long?

Well, I also stumbled across a plastic briefcase-looking thingy, that was a small game cleaning kit. Ahh, yes, it was something I bought from a sporting goods magazine a few years back. My oh my, this thing looks like it has never been used! Oh, wait a minute, it hasn’t… Ha!

Then, I got to thinking how I used to clean all kinds of small game (rabbits, squirrels, dove, etc.) and fish, without any kits. Are these small game kits really necessary or is it just some sales gimmick that makes for better gift ideas than practical use? What if you like eating Kangaroo meat like the post above this one talks about? Can these kits be used for, what, mid-sized game as well? Ha! I know that the answer to this question is rather simple, but it is sort of funny how everything has become monetized & merchandised to the point of madness, when you think about it.

Back when I used to fillet fish and clean small game, all I needed was a sharp, medium-sized knife, a saw blade knife (now they call it a bone saw), and preferably a pair of rubber or plastic gloves – but even they weren’t necessary as long as you had water nearby. I’d quickly clean my fish, rabbits, whatever, and rinse them off and soak them in salt water for a couple days before I fried or baked ’em. Well, the fish would usually either get cooked that day or froze for later use, but everything else would soak for a couple days in a brine solution while setting at the bottom of the fridge. If you're wondering, it helps take out any gamey taste from the meat, if that makes any sense. 

…Okay, originally, I was going to write a comical parody about this subject and type about how no hunter or fisherman can make it without these kits, but I changed my mind. With that being said, let's check out some of these “Game Cleaning Kits” (I suppose they can be used for big & small game) and see what all the fuss is about:

Actually, this is the set I bought a few years back. Why I bought this, I’m yet to figure out, but it only cost me $30-35+ dollars (right now they are on sale for $20 bucks @ Amazon), so at least I didn’t get too ripped off. I think I was already ordering from the place and seen that kit and evidently thought it was cute or something and ordered it as well. …This set includes a 5 1/2″ boning knife, 4″ skinning knife, 5″ game shears, 8″ utility knife, 6 1/2″ metal cleaver, 7 1/2″ sharpening bar, and a 17″ bone saw all packed securely in an impact resistant carrying case.

This next kit’s (the one depicted above) product description is: "The most complete and portable butchering kit for dressing big game (does this include Kangaroo?), small game, waterfowl, wild turkey, and fish. Includes 4 of the most useful knives for butchering, featuring high carbon 420 stainless steel and full tang construction. Kit also includes a tungsten carbide V-sharpener, 10″ double ground wood/bone saw, 5-1/4″ carving fork, game shears, brisket spreader, 10″ x 14″ cutting board, set of 6 surgical game cleaning gloves, and a hard-sided carrying case." The most complete and portable… Well, it better be, for $75 dollars!

I could provide more examples, but I think you get the idea. It is obvious that these kits are not necessary in my opinion, but outside of making great gift ideas, it sure makes you look like a professional hunter/gatherer, eh? So, after further review, maybe you need to buy your Big or Small Game Cleaning Kit, today!

---End of Part 2: "Is a ‘Small Game Cleaning Kit’ Really Necessary?"

Image Credit: Fair Use - Product Image via Amazon.com

---End of Post "Wild Game: Have you ever tried eating Kangaroo Meat?"