Has anyone here eaten hedgehog before?

[Sarahtatty]

I have a friend that is into exotic cooking since going to college after 5 kids and really wants to make it in the culinary world. and so i've became her guinea pig whenever she comes up with a new dish which is several times a week.
I've had many things from fried chilli locusts to various stews involving small mammals.
She now wants to cook hedgehog and im not sure i can do this as i've always associated hedgehogs as verminous creatures and because of this have reservations on eating it but as she's my friend i feel i have to.
How palateable is hedgehog and what would you say it tasted of?

[redcrx]

probably chicken

[Maydup]

I'm not sure it matters whether you consider them verminous or not, just leave the wild animals alone. We're all being encouraged to make our gardens more attractive to wildlife and protect the habitat of creatures such as hedgehogs, please don't eat them for fun.

[bibblebub]

(just make sure she doesn't want to try cooking guinea pig)

[johnk]

Is the hedgehog road kill?

[rowanwitch]

Apparently it tastes a bit like rabbit.... but they are too precious to start doing things like killing them for food. Grey squirrel is supposed to be quite nice though

[Barmaid]

Thanks Doc, I was wondering how you would get the pricks off.

[RATTER15]

//Hedgehogs are becoming increasingly rare due to a wide variety of environmental problems not least lack of suitable habitat and deaths caused by domestic pets like cats and dogs as well as collisions with cars.//

http://www.ecolivinga...ogs-into-your-garden/

[joggerjayne]

Hedgehog with the spikes removed?

Seems a bit pointless.

[rowanwitch]

So hedgehog should be off the menu... there are wild boar becoming a pest in some areas... she could tackle one of those

Or pan fried magpie

[redcrx]

have you considered troll? seem to be more common than hedgehogs and plenty of them about.

you may need a bigger pot though.

[RATTER15]

"A new report by David Wembridge shows that hedgehog numbers have declined by 25% in the last 10 years, in some areas a much greater decline is suggested."

You dont need to be killing them just for an experimental recipe.

[riptide]

I am disgusted by your comments, and even that your friend is thinking of cooking a hedgehog, shame on you.

[Barmaid]

Ed - we really do need a "like" button. I am lmao at Redcrx's "you may need a bigger pot" comment.

[tenrec]

And just where will she get said hedgehog from?

[rowanwitch]

Honey Roast Troll with parsnips and braised onions
Mashed potatoes with minted peas
Now I miss Mercia she could be really useful to suggest a suitable wine/dessert course