Muttonbird - have you tried it?

[supershifty]

Hi all, I've heard a bit about muttonbird, and apparently it's a bit of a delicacy down south in Tasmania. I'm always up for trying out new tucker. Have you tried it? What did you think of it? How do you cook it? Is it seasonal? Where can I get it in Brisbane?

It's piqued my curiosity,

Cheers for your replies!

[Moby Vic]

What is it?

[supershifty]

It's apparently a bird that nests underground in sea side areas, in the colder climates. From what I understand you reach into the burrows and pull the bird out - you've gotta watch out for snakes though! I think it is seasonal as there would be "nesting" times. I don't really know stuff all about them, that's why I put the question out to the members. I've heard the odd comments from Tasmanians, and am curious about having a feed!

[aussiblue]

Baby migatory short tailed shearwaters .

[supershifty]

Originally Posted by aussiblue

Baby migatory short tailed shearwaters .

Thanks Blue - I'll google that!

[aussiblue]

See http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redl...ls/106003934/0
despite it still existing in large numbers and it not yet being at the vulnerable stage, its numbers are decreasing and I am not sure we really should be eating its babies excluding for indigenous customary purposes.

[Moby Vic]

Oh, I figured it was a turkey stuffed with mutton or some such.

I forget how ridiculous "delicacies" tend to be.

[supershifty]

Originally Posted by aussiblue

See http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redl...ls/106003934/0
despite it still existing in large numbers and it not yet being at the vulnerable stage, its numbers are decreasing and I am not sure we really should be eating its babies excluding for indigenous customary purposes.

Didn't realise they only had one chick, nor that they are hunted that much. I realise that not everything is an expendable resource. Thanks for the link, but I googled from your last post and got this: http://www.wiresnr.org/shorttailedshearwater.html I appreciate and respect what you say Blue, I not gonna be a huge consumer of muttonbird, just keen to try new tucker. I tried 'roo, and emu - don't like em, won't be going back for more!

Cheers

[2011G6E]

I love watching the guys hunting them when they show it on TV now and then...lie down in the sand, shove your arm full length down a hole in a sand dune, and feel around...

The guys say "You have to watch out for black snakes getting down there and going after eggs or chicks..."

My question would have been "So your plan is to see if there's a snake down there by shoving your hand in and wiggling it about...???"

[Valid8]

I found it tasted a bit between Koala and Fairy Penguin.

[tex]

I have them every year.

When it was legal to get them in the south I always spent a day on one of the islands getting my bag, but it has been banned accept for bass straight islands and only by the indigenous folk, as apparently it's a cultural right. Although I don't recall their cultural activities ever taking them commercially and selling them as is the case now days....

Not a taste I could describe, suffice to say not for everyone. Imagine the most oily thing you've ever eaten and times that by 3.

The immature birds are taken having only eaten regurgitated whitebait, pilchards so they are fat and juicy little suckers. Until you've smelt a burst mutton bird gurry bag (when you're gutting them) you have not lived.

I love them, and look forward to getting a feed of birds once a year.


Oil dripping off my chin.

Hahahaha, your wife will hate you forever for cooking them, and you'll still smell them the next day.

[tex]

Originally Posted by Moby Vic

Oh, I figured it was a turkey stuffed with mutton or some such.

I forget how ridiculous "delicacies" tend to be.

Hahahaha, I spilled my drink I laughed so hard when I just read that. But, then I realised you were serious. Sorry mate, I just think its funny that's all, no offence meant.

[dave351cid]

isnt a mutton bird just a flying sheep ????

[supershifty]

Originally Posted by tex

I have them every year.

When it was legal to get them in the south I always spent a day on one of the islands getting my bag, but it has been banned accept for bass straight islands and only by the indigenous folk, as apparently it's a cultural right. Although I don't recall their cultural activities ever taking them commercially and selling them as is the case now days....

Not a taste I could describe, suffice to say not for everyone. Imagine the most oily thing you've ever eaten and times that by 3.

The immature birds are taken having only eaten regurgitated whitebait, pilchards so they are fat and juicy little suckers. Until you've smelt a burst mutton bird gurry bag (when you're gutting them) you have not lived.

I love them, and look forward to getting a feed of birds once a year.


Oil dripping off my chin.

Hahahaha, your wife will hate you forever for cooking them, and you'll still smell them the next day.

Tex, my wife already hates me, I spend too much time on AFF, spend too much coin on cars, spend too much time with mates at the pub. etc etc! (she's really a good girl - most times!) Ta for the info - looks like I'll never get to taste the infamous muttonbird unless I get myself down to Tassie. Ta for the info so far, but what is your preferred way of cooking it? By the sounds of the bird being so fatty - you would bake it? If not please share the basic details. No - I'm not after a gourmet recipe, just the good old aussie basics.

[v gate]

outside on the bbq so it dont stink the house out

[greenfoam]

Eating birds in general is not the smartest thing you can do, better off sticking to an apple while in Tasmania imho

[Moby Vic]

Originally Posted by tex

Hahahaha, I spilled my drink I laughed so hard when I just read that. But, then I realised you were serious. Sorry mate, I just think its funny that's all, no offence meant.

I figured it was like Australian turducken (which is pretty ridiculous, even though I hear it's tasty).

[pottery beige]

bush turkeys are tasty as hell.. served with roast spuds and veg...

[poppa smurf]

Originally Posted by Valid8

I found it tasted a bit between Koala and Fairy Penguin.

with a slight hint of DODO!!!!!.......yum!

[jcxr]

Tasty as all get out, but OILY as an LS1.