Columbus Dispatch writer Joe Blundo brought back a classic memory today.
The Danville Raccoon Supper.
It might amaze many, but living the majority of my first 24 years in this small-town located in northeast Knox County I only attended the supper one time.
And while, I agree with Blundo that raccoon doesn’t taste like chicken, I found it a bit of a stretch to say that it is very good pot roast. However, I have to give a little background as to why I might be … well biased.
My dad is the rodent trapper for three counties, what does that mean? He gets a special permit and if you call the police about an animal — they forward you to him. He loves this stuff, which means that our 1840s farmhouse always had the smell of a tannery. If you went in the basement during the winter you’d be greeted with pelts in various forms of drying.
What does this have to do with anything? I was pre-disposed to not enjoying the raccoon supper. I went because, well I was invited by a cute-girl, but I’ve had rabbit, squirrel, pheasant, and all the other wild-game that you hear about. Maybe it was the buck-shot in that rabbit when I was 10 but aside from Deer (or venison), I’ll politely ask for chicken instead.
However, if you ever get the chance, it is worth the hour trip from Delaware to take in some unique cuisine. Just don’t ask if it tastes like chicken…
Photo by Bob Gress and used courtesy of Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Popularity: 11% [?]
Leave a Reply