Muskrat Served Near Brussels?

[cabrales]

A restaurant in Baasrode, near Brussels (?), called t Vissershof (Vlassenbroek 70, Baasrode 32 52 21 60 86) may serve muskrat ("rat musque"?) during the Saturday dinner service and upon request, reported Courrier International, Hors-Series #21 (March - May 2002). Chef Jurgen Van Steen serves hind legs with a white wine sauce, mushrooms and juniper leaves. Bread is offered with the dish.

[Sandra Levine]

Years ago I saw "swamp rabbit" for sale in a fish store on Cape Cod (can't remember which town, but mid-Cape).

[cabrales]

In Louisiana, there is a local rodent called "nutria" (ragondin in French) that might be considered to have an unduly large population in the area, with potentially adverse environmental and other consequences (due to nutrias' feeding on green areas). The local authorities decided to promote the use of nutria in cuisine.

http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflas...00/nf00201f.htm

("a joint campaign . . . called 'Save Our Wetlands -- Eat Louisiana Nutria.' . . . a competition called 'Cookin' Alive' in which five well known Louisiana chefs vied for trophies and cash prizes . . .  (If you go to Mardi Gras, be sure to sample Chef Enola Prudhomme's Nutria Chili.)")

http://www.nwrc.usgs.gov/special/nutquest.htm

("What chefs are cooking nutria? . . . Paul Prudhomme, Enola Prudhomme, John Folse, Philippe Parola, and many others have prepared nutria. Nutria meat can be used in many ways including: sausage, chili, bar-b-que, pot roast, chicken fried, baked . . . .")

http://www.h4.org/FunStuff/SwampRat/nutria.htm

http://www.nwrc.usgs.gov/special/recipes.htm

(certain recipes)

Have members sampled nutria?