Possum Sausages

[Sam Newman]

I would like to make possum sausages using possum meat, parsley and lamb fat. Does anyone know how to prepare the possum intestine for the casing? I have never done it before and Im set on the idea but would like to get it right. Thankyou, Sam.

[Richierich]

I see from this and your other post you are keen to use possum wherever possible, but as far as preparing intestine, I have no idea, what is wrong with sheep or hog casings, somebody has done the hard work for you. I think I am safe to say, but in my opinion the casings do not add to the flavour, but perhaps the the texture, go for ready made ones.

[Jogeephus]

I'm no expert on casing production but when I slaughter a calf I can't help but see a fortune laying in the gut pile. So what I do is squeeze all the goody out of them, run a water hose through them, invert them and repeat. When they look clean I scrape or pick any fat off them then wash them and soak them in a strong salt water solution. After that I take them and put them in a bag with lots of salt. So far this has worked well and I don't see why it wouldn't work on a possum.

Gotta ask, do you feed the possum cornbread and milk for a week before killing them or do you kill them out of the tree and eat them?

[TJ Buffalo]

Opossum sausage recipe

5 Feet medium hog casings
4 lb Opossum, trimmed of all fat -cubed
1 lb Pork fat, cubed
2 ts Salt
2 ts White pepper
1 ts Tabasco sauce
1 ts Crushed cumin
1 ts Oregano
2 ts Sweet paprika

Directions:
Prepare casings.
Mix remaining ingredients, grind using the coarse disk and stuff into casings.
Twist off into 3-4" links.
Cook by sauteing inoil until well browned.
Source: Home Sausage Making by Charles G.
Reavis ISBN: 0-88266-477-8 Typed by Carolyn Shaw 12-94.

[Sam Newman]

cool dude. That sounds worth a try. Im sure premade linings from the butcher are cheap enuf but I am trying to find uses for evry part of the possum that I can. They are a major pest here. They absolutly destroy our beautiful trees. I sell the fur for $98/kelo to a company that makes possum fur X marino sheep wool garments. very warm. I have a friend that uses the plucked skins for leather work and I use the meat for food and dog food. I have many recipes. Hangi is my favorite so far but there is nothing wrong with cassarole slow cook, quick hot fry up or grilled on the embers. I will go hunting tonight and try the hosing out and salting idea with the intestine. Thanks. Sam.

[Sam Newman]

Thanks Buffalo. I have a simalar recipe. I vary the herbs depending on what is ready in the garden. I have loads of parsley, oregarno and tyme at the moment. I would also like to thank Richie for your comments. I live in the bush away from town and only in to sell my possum fur and get supplys. I do get the odd wild captain cook pig tho and I won't be wasting the gut linings ever again! Does anyone know if I can brine my saussages as I have no power to refridgerate or freeze them. I do have a friend with a freezer but it is a hassel to bother him to turn it on. would rather find other ways to preserve my meat where possable. One more question, Does anyone know how to preserve rabbit meat? I understand it is difficult?

[DanMcG]

I have to wonder, how big can a possum's guts be? maybe 10-12mm? They have to be to small for sausage.

[Snags]

http://www.bushfood.net/viewtopic.php?t=1050
this looks interesting

[Oddley]

Hi Sam, we have a member on here from Nelson New Zealand, that goes Possum hunting, so it may be of benefit to you, to read his posts/threads. His name is, Coote

If the possum meat is trichinosis free, with a bit of thought, it may be possible to preserve the meat with heavy salting + Nitrates, in small bore salami, etc. You will have to find out more about the health of the wild animals in your area, I think.

[Sam Newman]

Wow I cant believe evryones help. thanx guys. Yes I checked out coots page. His possums are nice and big south island ones. they look delicious! up here in the far north, that would be a very large possum. How can I upload a photo? Their has been cases of bovine TB in New Zealand possums but none reported in my area. I always check the liver and my theory is, If they put up a good fight, they must be healthy, but more research is required for raw meat. I will throw some in my friends freezer for a couple of months to make sure whyle I find out. but I will hav a go at making my saussys in the morning. I will update how it goes. Cheers. Sam

[Oddley]

A tutorial on posting images is here.

[Sam Newman]

What's the best way to do the salting method? Can I preserve sausages or do I have to preserve the meat and casings seperatly and make up my sausages on the day? I have been eating cooked possum meat for years and never had a saw stomack from it. My boarder collie bitch, 'Moonflower' is 12yrs old and she still runs 4 or 5 kelometers every day and she can still kill a possum with her blunt teeth. I would think that our possums are more healthy than the drenched animals that you buy at the butchers or grocery store. Sam.

[Sam Newman]

Thanx Oddley.