Surprisingly, the nutria has less fat and cholesterol than chicken or turkey and is loaded with protein.
By all reports, it tastes like rabbit and is very tender.
The nutria, also known as the coypu, is a large, herbivorous, semi-aquatic rodent that looks like a really big rat.
It is originally native to South America and has been introduced to North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa by fur ranchers.
Although it is still valued for its fur in some regions, Its destructive feeding and burrowing behavior makes this invasive species a pest even though it is still valued for its fur in some countries.
The coypu was first documented by Juan Ignacio Molina in 1782 as Mus coypus, a member of the mouse family. In 1792, Robert Kerr named it Myocastor, which comes from the Greek words “mys” and “kastor”, or “mouse-beaver”.
The word nutria refers to the otter. Several attempts have been made to farm the animal for its meat, but nobody seems to be into rat meat, so far.
The last question then.
Which wine goes best with a swamp rat?
A good merlot is recommended.
I ate nutria while visiting cousins in France in 1979. They did not know how to translate what I ate into English and told me it was similar to a Guinea Pig. It was small pieces cooked in a brown broth and served over noodles. My cousin Anna Marie was an awesome cook and I have to admit it tasted very good. I would eat it again if she fixed it.