A Red Neck Thanksgiving

This one particular Thanksgiving was very memorable because a relative flew in from Arkansas for Thanksgiving. He brought one of his favorite foods, cooked squirrel. Yes, I said “squirrel.”  This was a little shocking to me, seeing this little rodent cooked and sitting on a plate. Now, of course squirrel is not a typical Thanksgiving food, even for this family. But never the less there it was waiting to be eaten. I was feeling a little adventurous so I ripped off a little drumstick, if drumstick is an appropriate word for this particular part of the squirrel.  I placed it on my plate and wondered what it would taste like.

The elders sit at the table and everyone else finds a spot on the sofa with a TV tray, if they are lucky, or where ever they can find a place to sit. The family members that were at the back of the line and were not fortunate enough to find a seat they would have to eat standing up.

I was fortunate this time and found a spot on the sofa with a TV tray. I sat there a moment pondering if I was really going to take a bite of this cooked rodent. After giving it some serious thought. I decided it would be the first item that I would taste so I could use the other foods to drown out the taste if it was unpleasant. So, I picked up the drumstick and took a bite. I am sure there must have been a couple dozen sets of eyes watching me. To my surprise it tasted good and it tasted like chicken.  How often do we hear that phrase? But it was true the squirrel tasted like chicken.

After the main course is completed everyone would resume their prior positions, at the table, outside around the fire or in the living room watching football. After an hour or so the dessert plates would be set out. Dessert was a free for all.  You certainly have to move quick if you want some of the banana pudding. It is a favorite and there is never enough for everyone no matter how much is made. After desert the family slowly starts to clean up and pack up the leftovers. There is always enough food to take home for another entire meal and for the host/hostess to take to their elderly neighbors.

 

My in-laws may be Hillbilly or Red Neck but they are the nicest and the most generous family I have ever met and I am proud to be a part of this family.