Critter Invasion, Isaan

[Norton]

Went out in yard to check the "estate" and much to my surprise found a squatter had taken up residence in the yard. Not being swift of foot, I was unable to run the trespasser down and evict him. Called the missus and kids to corner the bugger. They did but when I said he must be evicted their response was, let us say, less than positive. Result, another critter to add to the existing menagerie of local critters.

The squatter.



Running full tilt to avoid capture.



He's a big fella. About 30cm across the shell.



He's made himself quite at home. Lot's of nice fresh fruit and veggies delivered daily to his new home in the garden.

A quick look at TD's excellent turtle link and the quickly identified as Yellow-headed Temple Turtle.



https://teakdoor.com/thailands-zoos-a...le-turtle.html (Yellow-headed Temple Turtle)

Says they need plenty of water, I'll be constructing a "water feature" aka a hole in the ground next week.

Some more critters we have:

Mother and child





Proud parents



The kids



Fear more critters on the way.

[withnallstoke]

The estate is overrun with fornicators, apart from the turtle who must indulge in solo sex until you get him/her a partner.

[Norton]

The estate is overrun with fornicators, apart from the turtle who must indulge in solo sex until you get him/her a partner.

Yep. This is the natural progression. First "let's keep him" followed by "he's so lonely".

[Daft Old Cat]

Don't leave your motorcycle helmet anywhere he can get at it

[Necron99]

The estate is overrun with fornicators, apart from the turtle who must indulge in solo sex until you get him/her a partner.

Yep. This is the natural progression. First "let's keep him" followed by "he's so lonely".

And then, "someone in the village says they're tasty".

[SEA Traveler]

Certainly looks harmless enough. I think I would have been inclined to keep him as well... until I found his swimming in the pool that is.

[withnallstoke]

And then, "someone in the village says they're tasty".

They are, and as mentioned previously (sort of), the shells can be plonked on the head to avoid fines when you get pulled on the motosai.

[Norton]

And then, "someone in the village says they're tasty".

Hey, you know this stuff. Was all part of the 3 against 1 debate and prolly why I was defeated. "Papa, we can't let him go, someone will eat him".

Can't argue with that.

[Davis Knowlton]

Turtles are cool. I'd love to find a big one like that in my garden. In all the years I've lived here, I've never seen a turtle. Our newest addition is a hamster. I'm just waiting for "She's lonely".....

[Norton]

They are cool. Low maintenance. My biggest concern is making sure "captivity" doesn't kill the old boy. Figure he's older than me given his size.

[Norton]

Should be a learning experience. Will finally get to smell turtle shit to see if it does smell like BO. Thais think so, Men kee tao.

[Necron99]

Turtles are cool. I'd love to find a big one like that in my garden. In all the years I've lived here, I've never seen a turtle. Our newest addition is a hamster. I'm just waiting for "She's lonely".....

Hmmmm, Hampster.
That'd have to taste just like rice rat...

[Panty Hamster]

Easy on there fella...

feels like chicken ... tastes like fish.

A veritable zoo Norton, you could charge admission.

[Boon Mee]

I've rescued several turtles from the chaa naa's around me who want to take them home to the cooking pot. Some let go within the property and others let go at night into the adjoining naa. Can't stand to think these Thai's are steadily eating up every living creature in this country.

There used to be lots of Owls about - haven't heard a single one in the last three years. Used to be even the common Crow. Saw one flock of three maybe 6 months ago. Trying to change these peoples attitudes is like impossible.

It sucks...

btw Norton, good pics and story. Need more folks with your attitude...

[Norton]

looks like chicken ... tastes like fish.

Damn, if I saw one looked like a chicken, no way I'd find out it tastes like fish.

[SEA Traveler]

Creole Turtle Soup Recipe

Turtle Soup is almost as synonymous with Nola Cuisine as Gumbo, in fact, it probably outsells the Gumbo in a lot of establishments. Unlike the clear Turtle Soups made in other parts of the world, the Louisiana variety is a dark, robust soup, bordering on a stew. There are also Mock Turtle Soups which are good as well, usually made with Beef and Veal. I have more than a sneaking suspicion that most restaurant versions are a combination of the two. Turtles are said to contain about 7 different flavors of meat, so it would be very easy to slip a more inexpensive meat in with the Turtle, I’ve even heard of some places slipping in some Alligator. I always raise an eyebrow when the “Turtle Meat” in some versions is ground, as opposed to cubed, it’s a red flag that says “Probably Not All Turtle Meat Here.” That’s fine though, they still taste delicious, and it would take a very refined palate to tell the difference.

As far as finding Turtle Meat in your area, you may have a bit of a challenge. If you have a great Asian Market in your area, it’s probably your best bet, they may even have them live if you would like to butcher them yourself. It’s a messy business though, with a lot of blood and Post Mortem squirming. No thanks, I buy frozen. If you do butcher your own you will have access to ingredients that squeamish cooks like myself can’t find in the freezer. Calipash and Calipee, and possibly Turtle eggs. Some connoisseurs have said that they can tell if a Turtle Soup is truly authentic by the lumps of Calipash and Calipee in the soup. Calipash is the dull-green fatty substance inside the upper shell (Carapace). Calipee is the light yellow fatty substance attached to the bottom shell (Plastron).
If you can purchase bone-in Turtle Meat, do so! You can Roast the bones and infuse the flavor into your Beef Stock. Roast them in a 400 degree F oven until a nice deep brown, then add them to your Beef Stock and simmer for 30 minutes to an hour.


Here is what appears to be a good recipe:

Creole Turtle Soup Recipe
- Roux:
1 Cup Unsalted Butter
1/2 Cup All Purpose Flour
- 4 Tbsp Usalted Butter
1 lb Turtle Meat Cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- 
1 1/2 Cup Onion, Finely Diced

- 1 Cup Celery, Finely Diced

- 1/4 Cup Green Onion, Finely Sliced

- 2 tsp Garlic, Minced

- 2 Fresh Bay Leaves

- 1 1/2 Cup Fresh Tomato, Diced
- 1 Qt Beef Stock

- 1 Pinch Cayenne
1 Pinch Ground Allspice

- 2 Tbsp Fresh Thyme Leaves

- 1 Tbsp Fresh Marjoram, Chopped
- 
Salt and Black Pepper to taste

- 1/4 Cup Fresh Lemon Juice
- 
4 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 
3 Tbsp Sherry

- 3 Hard Boiled Eggs, Whites diced, Yolks Riced
- 
Lemon Slices

- 5 tsp Italian Pasley, Finely Chopped

Melt the 1 Cup of Butter in a heavy bottomed saucepan, whisk in the flour, cook to make a peanut butter colored Roux. Set aside. For more on making a Roux, click here.
In a large saucepan or dutch oven, melt the 4 Tbsp of Unalted Butter over medium-high heat, add the diced Turtle Meat and saute until nicely browned.
Lower the heat to medium, add both types of onions, the celery, and garlic. Season with salt and black pepper. Saute until the vegetables are tender.
Add the tomatoes, season with a little salt so they will break down, cook for 10 minutes.
Add the Beef Stock, Worcestershire, Cayenne, Allspice, and Bay Leaves. Bring to a boil, then down to a simmer. Simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally and skimming off any impurities that may rise to the surface.
Whisk in the Roux, simmer until thickened and smooth. Add the Thyme, and Marjoram, simmer for 15-20 minutes more.
Add the Lemon Juice, 3 tsp of the Parsley, and the riced Egg Yolk, heat through.
Serve garnished with Lemon Slices, Diced Egg Whites, and Parsley. Add the Sherry at the table, about 1-2 tsp per bowl.

[Norton]

A veritable zoo Norton, you could charge admission.

Good idea. A petting zoo for city kids. Might be a bit upsetting when preparing lunch. Chickens and pigs tend to loudly resist going to the great critter spirit in the sky.

[sabang]

What a beauty- I live amidst all sorts of slithering critters, but never seen me a turtle here before.
Pity he arrived a bit late- might have made a good companion for old 'Lonesome George' in the Galapagos.
Anyway, live turtle is much more interesting than the Isaan version, served in a soup with lashings of chilli & Pla Raa. Well done.
Do pass my congratulations to the new mother too. We talk to animals here in Isaan.

[Davis Knowlton]

Good idea. A petting zoo for city kids.

My first night in the Philippines, the guys called me up at the hotel and said, "Pick you up in ten. We're off to the petting zoo."


You got it in one - huge gogo bar, locally known as the petting zoo.

[SEA Traveler]

Good idea. A petting zoo for city kids.

My first night in the Philippines, the guys called me up at the hotel and said, "Pick you up in ten. We're off to the petting zoo."


You got it in one - huge gogo bar, locally known as the petting zoo.

sounds like an interesting place. most of the petting zoo's I've been to require the purchasing of some food to feed the critters.

[Norton]

most of the petting zoo's I've been to require the purchasing of some food to feed the critters.

Available throughout the PI.

[AUSSIE EXPAT]

Figure he's older than me given his size.

And fitter...?

Perhaps he could carry the flag for the Poms at Rio....

[Notnow]

Go to Youtube and look for humping turtles. They have facial expressions and sounds a lot like humans. I laughed till I cried the first time I saw them.

[Mr Lick]

Cocky little bugger isn't he, strutting around like a 100m Olympic gold medalist.



^ Notnow, you have some really odd pastimes.

[SEA Traveler]

most of the petting zoo's I've been to require the purchasing of some food to feed the critters.

Available throughout the PI.

"a man who reads well between the lines."