The Other White Meat

[Trapper John]

No. The other one. Buddy of mine and I took on smoked gator and it came out better than I expected. Tail stuffed with boudin, rubbed down with BBQ rub and smoked with post oak and pecan wood. Red beans and rice, mac and cheese, and cornbread. Only hiccup in the process was when we brought him inside his head fell off. His wife wasn't a fan of that moment.

 

[BigAl]

Looks great!

 

[Whild_Bill]

This would likely been a winning entry if you Jim Tom Uncle buck humpin redneck sissies would compete with ALdeer
DGAPANBTT

 

[TAFKAP]

 

[Iglow]

Do they serve that at Jurassic Park?

 

[Chapman]

How did the tail meat compare with the rest of the body? Could you tell any difference in taste or texture? After skinning gators and selling the hides for many years I'm not too crazy about eating them.

 

[WTM]

How did the tail meat compare with the rest of the body? Could you tell any difference in taste or texture? After skinning gators and selling the hides for many years I'm not too crazy about eating them.

the last one i ate was kind of tough. was it just me or are they all like that?

 

[Chapman]

I

the last one i ate was kind of tough. was it just me or are they all like that?

I have had some fried that was pretty chewy. Cooked down in a sauce it can be pretty tender.

 

[Trapper John]

How did the tail meat compare with the rest of the body? Could you tell any difference in taste or texture? After skinning gators and selling the hides for many years I'm not too crazy about eating them.

I was actually really surprised how tender the whole thing was. I don't know if it was because it was a small gator or what, but the entire thing, aside from a few gristle filled parts, was perfectly tender.

Tail meat was lighter colored and tasting than the legs or back. The legs reminded me of dense chicken thighs. Firm but not tough.

I'd do it again, but it was definitely an endeavor.

 

[Chapman]

On a bigger gator the tail meat is white and the rest of the body is red. There is a piece of white jowl meat on each side of the head. Small on a small gator but a nice chunk of meat on a big one.

 

[7mm08]

How many you boys want? Hate those lizards!

 

[FTG-05]

I was actually really surprised how tender the whole thing was. I don't know if it was because it was a small gator or what, but the entire thing, aside from a few gristle filled parts, was perfectly tender.

Tail meat was lighter colored and tasting than the legs or back. The legs reminded me of dense chicken thighs. Firm but not tough.

I'd do it again, but it was definitely an endeavor.

Where did you get the gator. The best meat shop I know of (Schaffer's Meats north of Lawrenceburg) never has had gator the times I've been there. Don't even know if I could order it from them.

 

[Trapper John]

Louisiana Seafood Company in Murfreesboro. Pre-ordered and they brought it up from Louisiana.

 

[Lt.Dan]

I've only ever had gator in restaurants and it's always been good. I may have to make a run to Murfreesboro.

Can you order just tail meat or do you have to buy the gator whole?

 

[Trapper John]

I've only ever had gator in restaurants and it's always been good. I may have to make a run to Murfreesboro.

Can you order just tail meat or do you have to buy the gator whole?

They typically have frozen gator tail in their frozen section, but I'd give them a call before heading up. They're very seasonal and only open weekends so just make sure before making the drive. They're a friendly bunch so it won't be a problem to check and if they don't have it they'll get it for you.

 

[TX300mag]

Thanks for bringing this back up. Trapper John has been cooking up great dishes on here since he was a kid, definitely got some talent.

 

[Trapper John]

Thanks for bringing this back up. Trapper John has been cooking up great dishes on here since he was a kid, definitely got some talent.

Not so sure about talent, but lots of curiosity and always wanting to try something new. I'll try anything twice. Except balut. I have a limit.

 

[mike52]

I have found that gator and fish have the same bloodline in the meat. Cut the blood line out and get rid of the fishy taste and enjoy the taste of gator and fish.

 

[redblood]

Nope!