15-22Student Notes:TYPE OFANIMALPROCEDUREBirdsCook most birds with the skin on to retain their food value. After plucking a bird, cut off the neckclose to the body and take out the internal organs through the cavity. (NOTE: Scalding most birds makesthem easier to pluck. Waterfowl are an exception; they are easier to pluck when dry.) Wash out the cavitywith fresh, clean water. Save the neck, liver, and heart for stew. Boil scavenger birds, like buzzards andvultures, at least 20 minutes before you cook them to kill parasites.Birds’ eggs are among the safest of foods. You can hard boil eggs and carry them for days as reservefood.Save all the feathers you pluck from the birds. You may use them for insulating your shoes orclothing or for bedding.Fur-bearinganimalsClean and dress the carcass of a fur-bearing animal as soon as possible after death. Any delay willmake your job harder. Cut the animal’s throat and allow the blood to drain into a container. The boiledblood is a valuable source of food and salt. Save the kidneys, liver, and heart. Use the fat surrounding theintestines. All parts of the animal are edible, including the meaty parts of the skull, such as the brain,eyes, tongue, and flesh.ShellfishCrabs, crayfish, shrimp, prawns, and other crustaceans are excellent sources of food. However,crustaceans spoil rapidly so boil them alive immediately after capture. You can steam, boil, or bakeshellfish such as clams, oysters, and conchs in the shell. Shellfish make an excellent stew when cookedwith greens or tubers.Other foodsYou can easily catch grasshoppers, locusts, large grubs, termites, ants, and other insects toprovide nourishment in an emergency.METHOD DESCRIPTIONRoasting orbroilingThis is a quick way to prepare wild plant foods and tender meats. Roast meat by putting it on a stick andholding it near the embers of your fire. Roasting hardens the outside of the meat and retains the juices.BakingBaking is cooking in an oven over steady, moderate heat. The oven maybe a pit under you fire, a closedvessel, or a leaf or clay wrapping. Pit cooking protects food from flies and other pests and reveals no flame atnight.SteamingYou can steam foods that require little cooking, like shellfish. Place your food in a pit filled with heatedstones over which leaves are placed. Put more leaves over your food. Then force a stick through the leavesdown to the food pocket. Pack a layer of dirt on top of the leaves and around the stick. Remove the stick andpour water to the food through the holes that remains. Steaming is a slow but effective way to cook.ParchingParching may be a desirable method of preparing some foods, especially grains and nuts. To parch, placethe food in a metal container and heat slowly until it is thoroughly scorched. In the absence of a suitablecontainer, use anything that holds food or water—a heated, flat stone; turtle shells; seashells; leaves; bamboo;or a section of bark.DryingDrying preserves food by ridding it of moisture. You can dry plant food and meat by exposing them towind, sun, air, fire, or any combination of these. To produce jerky, cut meat into 1/4-inch strips and place itacross grates; allow it to dry in either the wind or smoke until brittle.
Integrated Publishing, Inc. - A (SDVOSB) Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business