Have you tried kangaroo before? I did years ago, savoring a kangaroo fillet at a restaurant, and it was a revelation. The meat had a unique gamey aftertaste, which, when balanced with the right accompaniments on the plate, created a perfect harmony of flavors.
Kangaroo meat is not only delicious but also incredibly nutritious. It’s high in iron and one of the leanest meats available. Being a native animal, kangaroo is readily available in Australia. You can find kangaroo burgers, sausages, mince, and occasionally, loin in supermarkets.
Recently, I've been captivated by kangaroo tail. After returning from Fitzroy Crossing and working with the tail on two separate evenings in the two weeks I was there, I've become determined to incorporate it into our catering events. The rich, tender meat of the tail has an unparalleled depth of flavor that can elevate any dish.
When I was shopping in Fitzroy Crossing for our youth dinners (we were feeding 80-120 kids each night and they were hopping in the kitchen to help), I noticed that everything was slightly more expensive in the local IGA, as expected. But what really caught my attention was the kangaroo tail in the freezer for about $10! I couldn’t resist, even though the tails still had their fur on. Every other time I’ve used kangaroo tails, they’ve been prepared and cut.
Thankfully, a local friend and some older boys helped me remove the skin in the kitchen. The next day, we cleaned up another eight tails, cut them, and slow-cooked them with dumplings. It was delicious.
When I reached out to friends about how to cook the tails, they suggested burning the fur off on the fire. I had no idea how to do this as it is a process I have never done, but AJ showed me how to do it. He cooked the barramundi and tail on the fire, burned the fur off, scraped it, and then wrapped it in foil to cook on the coals. The result was phenomenal. I’m not sure if it’s because I didn’t cook it, but I preferred it this way. Great job, AJ!
If you're looking to try something different, swap out beef mince for kangaroo mince in your spaghetti bolognese. You can also check out recipes for kangaroo with macadamia and saltbush or kangaroo tail stew.
Stay tuned for more updates and delicious kangaroo dishes from Chef Teacher Cat Clarke! Keep on cooking, friends.
