Turtle meat

[JanetGroene]

I know turtle is legally butchered and served in the Cayman Islands but has anyone been there in a yacht and bought it from butcher shops to cook on board? Is it available? Expensive?

[bobconnie]

We have never bought any but traded for some with the fishermen/farmers, of turtle! they like fresh tuna so we traded ! it's good meat if ya like it and we do !! but then we get turtle meat here in Louisiana so we are used to it ! and like it ! We would buy it anytime we can get !! Just our 2 cents

[sailorgal]

I can't believe people are actually slaughtering these highly endangered animals. There are heavy fines here in Florda for even disturbing a turtle nest on the beach. Why even think of supporting the killing of sea turtles???

[GeoPowers]

Originally Posted by bobconnie

We have never bought any but traded for some with the fishermen/farmers, of turtle! they like fresh tuna so we traded ! it's good meat if ya like it and we do !! but then we get turtle meat here in Louisiana so we are used to it ! and like it ! We would buy it anytime we can get !! Just our 2 cents

First time I had turtle was at the Commander's Palace in N.O.- so good! I miss that restaurant!


Frank

[Target9000]

Originally Posted by sailorgal

I can't believe people are actually slaughtering these highly endangered animals. There are heavy fines here in Florda for even disturbing a turtle nest on the beach. Why even think of supporting the killing of sea turtles???

Not all turtles are legal to eat, but there are plenty that ARE. They are not all endangered, just certain species. Turtle soup w/ Sherry is awesome.

[RicknSue]

Originally Posted by sailorgal

I can't believe people are actually slaughtering these highly endangered animals. There are heavy fines here in Florda for even disturbing a turtle nest on the beach. Why even think of supporting the killing of sea turtles???

They are farmed sea turtles in the Caymans..

[David M]

Maybe someone would like to look up which turtle species are endangered and which are not endangered, legal to eat and where they are legal to eat?

[RicknSue]

some more info on the cayman farm - they are actively releasing them annually as well as the harvest
Cayman Turtle Farm | Colorful Marine Life

[RicknSue]

Janet , when we lived there(a few years back), although legal and served, I don't really remember if it was available to buy at the supermarket( never really looked for it)..BTW..butcher shop ..Caymans..not so much (nothing to butcher)..LOL ..most meat comes from Miami overnight..maybe the link I posted can give you more info.. In spite of some poeple's opinions, the Caymanians are very concerned about the turtles, hence the farm, and the release program..much like a lot of hunters in North America supporting the wildlife..

[bobconnie]

Come on folks, ALL of the turtle meat used in USA is farm raised!! a lot of it here in Louisiana!! Many many different types of fresh water turtles are pond rasied and cked by the proper fedral depts that ck to be sure they are safe to eat !! The stuff in the Caymans to raised the same way ! I dont know who or if anyone cks it ! but with most meat if ya COOK it it's safe !! just my 2 cents

[rgscpat]

Wild sea turtles are the threatened ones -- the Hawksbill, Atlantic (Kemp's) or Pacific Ridley, Leatherback, Loggerhead, and less so the Greens.

[callmecrazy]

I've had turtle meat in Louisiana in the form of turtle soup. It's wonderful. But for those wanting to buy it (janet!) you should understand that there are 7 different types of meat in a turtle, and only 2 or 3 of them are actually good (as in, tasty) to eat. buying generic "turtle meat" is a win/lose situation if you don't know what you're getting.

[Canibul]

Some of our local friends here cook Hawksbill turtle whenever they can catch one. We've had it a few times. Delicious.

I did have a problem with their fishing methods, though. After the first time they invited us over to try some, they told me they actually stabbed holes in seven turtles before they got this one in the boat. They were using a piece of steel rebar hose lashed to a long wooden pole. I think they must have seen Moby Dick or something.

knowing I don't have a chance of talking them out of eating turtle ( or iguana either for that matter) I told them an easy way to make a spear with a barb on it so they wouldn't have to keep jabbing holes in turtles and then having them dive and get away. Most likely to die later from injuries.

[rognvald]

Fresh or salt water turtle is delicious. The first time I ate it was in Mazatlan in a seaside restaurant that served it in their paella. It is also good in soup although a bit chewy. There was a incorrigible "fish beggar" in Bimini, who has since died, that would take any fish-rough or delicate for his freezer. I saw him once with a sea turtle's head and asked him how he was going to prepare it. He said they boiled it in a soup and removed everything inside the head. I then asked how they catch the turtles and he said the locals cruise in a skiff and when they spot one try to jump on its back and ride it until it drowns. We also found the evidence of locals on Chubb Cay who took their dogs to the beach at night(south side) and dug up turtle eggs to eat. For people who live in "developed" countries, this may seem cruel. Especially if the species is endangered. However, those people who live in "undeveloped" countries worldwide have a closer connection to nature by necessity and live in cultures with long standing traditions of living off the land and sea. The conflict between us and them is equally painful for both sides since a compromise is rarely reached. Our human existence dates back over 5 million years to our earliest ancestors and we became who we were by being omnivores--the flesh of fish, amphibians, insects and mammals were consumed when available.

[bruce smith]

It is regularly on the menu in Grenada.
Good with carib