From Field to Freezer to the Supper Table – Feeding Families
Getting your harvest from the field to the freezer to the supper table can be a daunting task for some but it doesn’t have to be. I will cover proper meat handling, storage, and cooking techniques to make you successful and have your family and friends asking for seconds.
What is meat handling, and Why Does it Matter in getting food to the Supper Table?
Meat handling is how you care for your meat in the field all the way to the table. Using unsafe handling techniques can compromise the safety, quality, and taste of your meat.
How to get your harvest out of the field and ready for the freezer
No matter what type of game you have harvested, the first thing you need to do is to get the meat cooled down. This can vary based on what type of animal you have and the weather and climate. This can range from skinning, field dressing/gutting, hanging, or putting on ice. Cooler climates and seasons you may be able to just field dress the animal and it will adequately cool down. Warmer seasons and climates you may need to put it on ice or in a cooler. By getting your harvest cooled down quickly it will reduce the chance of the meat spoiling.
No matter what type of game you have harvested, the first thing you need to do is to get the meat cooled down. This can vary based on what type of animal you have and the weather and climate. This can range from skinning, field dressing/gutting, hanging, or putting on ice. Cooler climates and seasons you may be able to just field dress the animal and it will adequately cool down. Warmer seasons and climates you may need to put it on ice or in a cooler. By getting your harvest cooled down quickly it will reduce the chance of the meat spoiling.
Keeping your meat clean is very important. I have learned from experience that it is better to slow down and take your time to make sure that you keep your meat clean in the field rather than trying to clean it up during butchering. If you have harvested small animals like doves, pheasants, ducks, or geese, taking them inside to process is a good option. However, if you have harvested a large animal and you have to quarter or process in the field, having a way to keep the meat out of the dirt is a must. You have many different options on how to do this. Having a clean tarp or garbage bags to put the meat on or in is one; a rope to hang the animal from a tree to quarter or cut up is a second. Depending on where you are hunting you must also consider how you are going to get your harvest out of the field while keeping it clean. Are you able to drive an ATV/UTV or vehicle to your harvest to safely transport or will you need game bags to transport your meat out in a pack? It is important to have a plan prior to going out hunting for how you will get the meat back if you are successful.
Now that you have your meat cooled and back home, what is your expectation to get or make from your harvest? Are you going to do all, some or none of the butchering? If you are going to take your harvest to a butcher make sure to check with them on their expectations of your meat prior to dropping it off. Will they take the whole animal bone in or skin on? Some butchers ask that the meat be deboned or skinned prior to them taking it. Depending on what type of animal you have harvested they may also ask that you have a certain amount of meat for them to process if it isn’t a type of meat they process a lot of. Whether you are doing the butchering or you take it to a butcher you should think about what types of cuts or products you would like to have prior to starting. Consider what types of meat you and your family use normally for meals, ground meat, steaks, cubed/stew meat, sausage or heavily seasoned meats. Many types of game can be substituted in recipes for types of meat we are used to, chicken, pork, or beef but we will talk about that later.
How you store your meat can have an impact on the quality and taste of your meat. Ultimately, you want to avoid exposing the meat to air which will cause freezer burn. How you go about this is totally up to you. A few options include, wrapping in freezer paper, freezer ziplock bags, or vacuum seal bags. Be sure to properly label your packages to make sure you know what cut, type of animal and when it was put into the freezer. Know the recommended length of time you can store each type of meat in the freezer for the best quality.
How to take your meat from the freezer to the supper table
Meat handling is just as important in thawing and cooking as it is in processing it! Make sure to take out your meat in plenty of time and thaw it in the fridge to reduce the chance of bacteria growth. You can leave thawed meat in the refrigerator for a few days but too long will compromise the safety and quality.
As said before many game meats can be substituted in many of your common recipes you already make as well as recipes specifically for that type of game. Go with what you and your family like to eat and experiment with substituting game meat. As with beef, pork and chicken there are minimum recommended internal temperatures. Over cooking can cause game meat to be dry or tough. Different cuts of meat have ways that are better than others for cooking. Think of beef, you want to cook your steaks hot and fast to seal in all the juices but tougher cuts of meat like a rump roast you would be better off cooking low and slow in the oven or crock pot. If your meal doesn’t turn out how you hoped, try using a different cut or changing the cooking time or method. If you’re struggling with ideas, seek inspiration on the internet. There are many wild game cook books available as well. Here are some great recipes: Holiday Harvest Recipes, DIY Organic Dove Jalapeño Poppers Recipe, and Wild Turkey Three Ways.
Remember to keep meat handling a top priority while in the field, butchering, storing, and cooking for the best outcome! Enjoy those you choose to hunt and dine with. Get out there and fill your freezer!
May your hearts be happy and your bellies full!
