How To Skin A Rabbit
The best way to skin a rabbit or a hare is to hang it by its hind legs, on hooks. Cut the skin at the full length of the belly. Now proceed to remove the skin on either side, first, up to the first joint of the hind legs. Make incisions on the back of the leg but do not remove the skin as yet. Skin the tail the same way and then continue skinning the head and the back. Cut off the ears at the base and leave the skin on the forelegs. Cut the skin round the eyes and lips. In this way the skin comes off in one piece. Then draw, and clean. Squirrels may be skinned in the same way, as well as all other haired game.
it is a well-known fact that the flesh of the hares or rabbit is much better in winter than in summer, and that a freshly killed hare or rabbit is tender if cooked when the animal has not had time to stiffen and stretch, providing, of course, that the animal is young. Never attempt to prepare an old hare or rabbit otherwise than in loaf shape, or similar preparations.
Editor’s Note: This is an excerpt from THE DERRYDALE GAME COOKBOOK available in the Sporting Classics Store.
Like the hunting and fishing classics Derrydale published in the 1930s, this cookbook has only improved with time. This is a no-nonsense, practical guide to cooking virtually every kind of wild game with everything from simple recipes to gourmet level preparation. Buy Now
