Roadkill cuisine facts for kids

Roadkill cuisine is about preparing and eating animals that have been hit by cars and found on the side of the road. It might sound unusual, but some people in places like the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom practice it.

People who eat roadkill often look for animals that have been freshly hit. They make sure the meat is cooked very well to kill any germs or parasites. One reason people choose to eat roadkill is that it's free! Also, wild animals are often lean, high in protein and vitamins, and don't have the additives or drugs sometimes found in farm-raised meat.

Millions of animals, especially deer, are hit by vehicles every year. If an animal isn't sick, its meat can be just like meat from hunting. Eating roadkill is allowed in some places, but strictly controlled or not allowed in others.

Preparing Roadkill Safely

When preparing roadkill, safety is key. People often make stews or casseroles from animals like deer, rabbits, or pheasants. It's important to cook the meat thoroughly to destroy any bacteria or parasites. For example, badger meat needs to be cooked very well to avoid a sickness called trichinellosis.

Some people recommend soaking beaver meat in salted water overnight before roasting it. There are even cookbooks about roadkill, which give helpful tips on how to make sure the meat is fresh and cooked safely. They often suggest checking two things: "How fresh is it? How flat is it?" This helps people decide if the animal is safe to eat.

It's important to avoid certain animals, like rats, because they can carry diseases like Weil's disease.

Roadkill Around the World

Australia

In Australia, kangaroos are often hit by cars, especially at night. Many vehicles in the Australian bush have special bars called "roo bars" to protect them from damage. If a kangaroo is hit and killed, its meat can be used for things like barbecue or stew. However, eating native animals is only legal if you have a special hunting or scientific license.

Canada

In western Canada, drivers sometimes hit bears. If a bear is accidentally killed, its meat might be given to people in need. However, bear meat must be cooked very well to avoid a parasite called Trichinella nativa. Moose are also a common road hazard in Newfoundland. In the past, moose killed in accidents were given to charities.

United Kingdom

Some people in the UK are known for eating roadkill. For example, Fergus Drennan, an environmentalist, has even been on a TV show called The Roadkill Chef. He believes in eating roadkill to avoid supporting factory farming. Another person, Arthur Boyt, a retired biologist, has been eating roadkill for 50 years. He says it's good for your body, the environment, and your wallet. He's eaten everything from weasels to otters and even compares the taste of a Labrador dog to lamb!

There have even been stories of "roadkill poaching" in Sherwood Forest, where people supposedly put food on the road to attract deer. When a deer is hit, they quickly take the carcass to use for pies or steaks.

Roadkill in the United States

Rules about eating roadkill are different in each state in the U.S. More and more states are making it legal.

Alaska

In Alaska, large animals like moose and caribou that are killed on the road are considered state property. Drivers must report the accident to the police. If the animal isn't too damaged, volunteers will quickly butcher it and give the meat to churches or soup kitchens to help needy families. About 820 moose are given away this way each year.

Georgia

Georgia is famous for Brunswick stew, a traditional dish that some say can be made with roadkill. Another dish from Georgia, called Mull, can also include various meats, even (some say) rat or roadkill.

Illinois

In Illinois, if a deer is hit by a car, the driver has the first right to keep it. If the driver doesn't want it, any Illinois resident can take it. However, they must report it to the Department of Natural Resources within 24 hours.

Kentucky

Kentucky has a traditional stew called Burgoo. It's a thick soup made with squirrel, rabbit, possum, or other available meats and vegetables. It's still very popular in Owensboro, Kentucky, which is known as the "burgoo capital of the world."

Michigan

Michigan has allowed drivers to keep deer they hit for many years. Now, it's even easier to get permission by calling the Department of Natural Resources or local police.

Washington

Washington state started allowing people to keep roadkill deer and elk in 2016. You need to take the whole animal and get a free permit online within 24 hours. However, you can't take deer carcasses in certain counties because they are home to a protected type of deer.

West Virginia

It's legal to take home and eat roadkill in West Virginia. The town of Marlinton, West Virginia, even holds a "road-kill cook-off" festival every fall. While the dishes at the festival aren't made with real roadkill, they use the kinds of animals commonly hit by cars, like possum, rabbit, bear, and deer.

Wisconsin

If a driver hits and kills an animal in Wisconsin, they can keep it, but they need to get a free tag from local authorities. If the driver doesn't want the animal, anyone else can ask for a tag to claim it.

Why Some People Eat Roadkill

Some people choose to eat roadkill because they see it as a fresh, natural, and free food source. They believe it's a sustainable way to get meat. Sandor Ellix Katz, an author, supports eating roadkill for environmental reasons. He talks about a group in North Carolina that learned how to prepare and cook roadkill, and even use the animal hides.

Peter Singer, a philosopher who supports animal rights, also commented on eating roadkill. He said that if an animal is accidentally killed by a car, and it's edible, there's no reason not to eat it. He believes it's ethical to eat an animal that has died to prevent suffering, as long as it's safe.

Even PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has joked about roadkill, calling it "meat without murder" for people who eat meat but want to feel better about it.

Roadkill in Pop Culture

Roadkill stew has become a funny part of popular culture in North America. There are jokes, songs, and even real "Roadkill Cafes" with slogans like "You kill it, we grill it." These cafes usually don't actually serve roadkill, but they play on the humorous idea.

Images for kids

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  Roadkill Cafe at the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets in Darwin, Australia, carrying the motto "You kill it, we grill it "

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  Roadkill Cafe in Seligman, Arizona