Possum Stew

Believe me this is not a joke!

Ingredients:
1 big possum
½ cup olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 medium yellow onions, sliced
4 carrots, cut in thick slices
2 cups fresh or frozen corn
3 strips of thick-cut bacon diced
½ cup tomato juice
1 28 oz. can diced tomatoes
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 Habanero peppers diced (wear gloves)
¼ cup white vinegar
10-12 drops Tabasco
salt and pepper to taste
6 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced


Preparation
1. Rub possum with salt and pepper.
2. Brown possum in olive oil in a large skillet.
3. Transfer possum to large dutch oven or stock pot.
4. Fill oven/pot 2/3 full with water.
5. Add vinegar, onions, carrots, corn, and habanero peppers.
6. Bring to boil and add bacon.
7. Cover tightly, reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour.
8. Bring to boil and add potatoes, garlic, Tabasco, tomatoes and juice.
9. Cover tightly, reduce heat and simmer for another hour.
10. Make a no lump paste of cornstarch and warm water.
11. Add enough paste to stew until thickened to wanted consistency.
12. Add salt and pepper to taste and simmer 15 more minutes

She probably didn't remove the scent gland.  That would make a God awful smell!  Here is what you do to prepare the possum:

As always start with a clean kill to the head. Possum are best when taken in the winter months. Cut the jugular vein and hang by tail immediately after the kill. Keep cool until ready to dress. Scald in boiling water with 1/2 cup lime until the hair has loosened, "about 30 seconds." With a trowel or large dull knife, scrape the hair from the carcass. Remove musk glands from under front legs, gut, remove head, tail, and feet, rinse well. In a non metallic container mix 2 gallons water with 5 tablespoons baking soda and 1/2 cup salt. Completely submerge possum in brine, refrigerate overnight. If you are going to store in the freezer for any length of time it is best to freeze in a plastic container filled with water with a tightly sealed lid.

Terry 

OK so that is where I went wrong this weekend!  I picked one up on the side of the road (yes it was still warm) but did not skin it.  I think I will need to try it again ...............

I found a dead one by my wood pile today.  A little too ripe for stew...

No I don't have anything on the exact location of the gland.  Myself, I would skin them like you do a rabbit.  I think when you do that you can see the gland.

Terry