louisiana turtle recipes

Boneless Turtle Meat 5 lb bag $139.99. Even rattlesnake is said to taste like chicken, so why not just eat chicken? They will bask on rocks, logs, or other sites with other species of turtles. The Hawksbill Sea turtle has a sharp, curved beak that resembles the bird of prey. There have been reports of several softshell turtles ganging together to take down waterfowl. See our Ornate Box Turtle article for more. When they reach adulthood, these turtles become very lethargic and dont like to move much. Ingredients: Method: Melt 2 sticks of butter in a heavy saucepan. Turtle noses dimple the water's surface inside the trap. Their scutes are ridged and patterned with concentric rings, giving the carapace a sculpted appearance. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. servings Ingredients 2 gallons beef stock 3 pound louisiana snapping turtle ground meat 1 quart chopped onion 2 cup peeled and chopped carrot 2 cup chopped celery 2 heads garlic, halved 1/2 tablespoon whole black peppercorns 1 fresh bay leaf 1 bunch parsley stems 1/2 bunch fresh thyme 1/3 cup vegetable oil Their numbers are in decline because of fishing nets, boating accidents, hunting, and harvesting of their eggs. The Common Musk Turtle, also known as the Stinkpot Turtle, is a small aquatic turtle that can be a popular choice as a pet because of its size. Brush edges of pastry with beaten egg. These evasive turtles are found across Louisiana and can breathe underwater. Turtles in Louisiana (29 Species) - SnakeTracks.com Add remaining turtle meat, 2 tablespoons butter, 1 tablespoon olive oil, teaspoon salt, and teaspoon pepper. This will be a great recipe and works great for soft shell, yellow bellies and alligator/black turtles. Add onions, garlic, tomato paste, and tomatoes. Southern Painted turtles have dark brown or black smooth shells with an orange or yellow band running down the spine of the carapace. Home; Seafood ; Alligator, Turtle, Frog; Alligator, Turtle, Frog They are easily startled and will jump into the water. Cut into chunks across grain. Harvest of turtle eggs is prohibited except for eggs of the red-eared slider. Quick . To roux add onions both yellow and green, celery, bell pepper (holy trinity) and garlic. Let cook on a low/med heat until it is mixed well (approx 10 minutes) and then add water to continue the gravy. Creole Chicken Bonne Femme. 1 4-lb. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. They will consume aquatic animals such as mollusks, insects, fish, and amphibians, as well as a wide variety of vegetation. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. They turn aggressive to anyone who approaches them and will hiss or bite if people get too close. Add turtle and season the meat generously with LA Crawfish's Creole Seasoning. You may see small Diamondback Terrapins, medium sized Red Eared Sliders, or large Softshell or Snapping turtles in the waters around the state. Turtle actually tastes more like veal and is versatile, since it is equally good battered and fried or in thick, meaty soup. Brown in cooking oil. In fact, it was considered a subspecies of the Ouachita Map Turtle until very recently! They can inhabit tidal marshes, and estuaries but they rarely spend time in full-strength saltwater. They use their long necks to hunt and catch swift moving prey. If you want to know more or withdraw your consent to all or some of the cookies, please refer to the cookie policy. Justin Wilson's Rabbit Sauce Piquant | Saveur Louisiana Cookin https://www.louisianacookin.com/. Otherwise, they look very similar with the smooth carapace, and stripes along their extremities. Add the yellow onion, celery, bay leaves, thyme, paprika and cayenne to taste. Mash the egg . Stir in 8 cups water and tomatoes. These include Green Sea turtles, Hawksbill Sea turtles, Leatherback and Loggerhead sea turtles, and Kemp's Ridley sea turtles. Their skin is grey to black with white spots. Boil the turtle meat in unseasoned water until the meat falls off the bone, about 2 hours. Louisiana Crawfish Tail Meat 1 lb $22. Cajun Grocer has all the cooking, kitchenware, crawfish, seasoning . Posted on Published: February 9, 2021- Last updated: November 14, 2021. If the stew gets too thick, add additional water. Season with salt and pepper, and brown in olive oil. In a medium microwave-safe bowl, add 8 ounces chocolate and heat to melt, about 1 minute on high power. Add onions, garlic, tomato paste, and tomatoes. Her husband of 62 years, Clarence Loupe, Sr. (1923-2009) was an almost legendary commercial fisherman, fur trapper and alligator hunter. Remove meat and save broth. They will very rarely bask, and typically they do this by swimming up to the surface of the water. Cook bacon in stew pot until done, remove bacon and set aside. german chocolate cake mix, butter or 3/4 cup margarine, melted, evaporated milk, divided, chopped pecans, semi-sweet chocolate chips, cookies, vegetable oil, butter, white sugar and. The couple raised 12 children on the banks of Bayou Des Allemands, including seven sons, who all, at one time or another, were commercial fishermen. They prefer faster moving waters with plenty of aquatic vegetation and muddy, sandy, or rocky bottoms. Their shells range from brown to grey, and their skin can be grey, brown, white, or yellow, but all of them have highly contrasting stripes, spots, or squiggles. As their name suggests, these turtles are found mainly in areas around the Pearl River. Turtles Mites How To Identify And Treat Them. Finely chop 1/2 cup toasted pecans, leaving the remaining 1 1/2 cups whole. This species is considered vulnerable and are also a federally threatened species in Louisiana. If they find a piece of turtle in it, its seldom larger than a match head and the soup tastes more of sherry wine than turtle. Cook until turtle is tender. Spoon tablespoons full of hot caramel over the pecans. They are carnivores and will feed on any crustaceans, invertebrates, and mollusks they can find. Add turtle meat and lightly brown on all sides. Using a large cast iron dutch oven, cover the bottom with oil. AUDIO & VIDEO PRODUCTS. Ingredients: Grandma Blanches Caramel Recipe 4 cups pecans chopped 2 bags chocolate chips (dark or white can be used too) Spread pecans out on a cookie sheet, make the caramels according to above recipe. Add the flour and cook, stirring frequently, over medium heat until the roux is light brown. Chicken Fricassee. Chicken Pontalba. Weve also taken a quick look at the Gopher tortoise, a vulnerable terrestrial species native to Louisiana. Their numbers were limited when it was discovered, and even now not much is known about this species. Louisiana Pralines | I Heart Recipes As with many other turtles, Ouachita Map turtles are omnivores. Chocolate Turtle Poke Cake | Easy Chocolate Poke Cake Recipe Mash the egg yolks, chop the whites and add to thicken the stew. As the turtle ages, this pattern gets fainter. 2 lb. See our Diamondback Terrapin care sheet for more. Drain and set aside. Food and Water . Their head and skin are usually brown, with prominent yellowish stripe markings running along the head and neck. The carapace background is usually brown, grey, or olive colored. Quick Reference Section Ornate Box Turtle Tree-toed Box Turtle Chicken Turtle Eastern River Cooter Mississippi Diamondback Terrapin Mississippi Map Turtle Quick view Add to Cart. They are brown to grey and very flat. To crack through these tough shells, the Loggerhead needs powerful muscles and a blunt beak. Simmer until nearly done. The Eastern Painted turtle inhabits wetlands, ponds, streams, and more waterways from Nova Scotia all the way down to Louisiana. Will America's Turtles Be Eaten Into Extinction? - Animals Whenever you see items made of tortoiseshell, it most likely came from a Hawksbill Sea turtle. Gradually blend in flour, mixing well. Every Thursday you'll receive new recipes, events &festivals and more. See for yourself. The plastron is solid colored and is double hinged like a box turtle. When he wasnt in his fishing boat, he always seemed to have a beer in one hand, a Kool cigarette in the other and a huge grin on his face. Common Snappers are nocturnal omnivores, mainly eating fish and other aquatic prey. Quick view Add to Cart. All rights reserved. If you have never cooked turtle meat before, the easiest way to start is by frying it. Add onions, garlic, tomato paste, and tomatoes. Add the stock and simmer for 30 minutes. hehehehehe. There, people can apply for a license to trap any of the state's 19 freshwater species, except for the more vulnerable alligator snapping turtles, box turtles, and razor-backed musk turtles . Cover and cook over medium high heat for approximately 30 minutes. They also occasionally eat aquatic plants. There we have it. The carapace is similar to other map turtles with swirls and markings, as well as the centerline keel and saw-backed scutes at the rear. Eastern River Cooters are mainly herbivores, preferring to eat vegetation and fruits rather than meat such as fish or insects. Like most Map turtles, they have pronounced keels along the ridge of their carapace. Their dark skin sports yellow to orange markings. Ouachita Map turtles can be distinguished from other Map turtles by the large yellow spots on the sides of their heads. They also have relatively strong claws and long tails that sport saw-toothed ridges. Their tails are often half as long as their shell. office 504.208.9959,New Orleans, Louisiana onions, chopped well1 bell pepper, chopped1 clove garlic, finely choppedJuice of 1/2 lemon1/2 cup fresh parsleySalt and pepper1 tsphomemade Worcestershire sauceWash and drain turtle meat. Hello, Louisiana: How do you cook and eat alligator? See recipe, cuts Painted turtles will eat duckweed, water hyacinth, lily, and algae, as well as snails, fish, tadpoles, and insects. These turtles are swift not only in the water but on land too. Out of stock. Add salt and cayenne pepper to taste. When hot, add the turtle meat and brown over high heat until deep brown and until some of the browning sticks to the bottom of the pot. Remove the turtle from pan and allow to cool . I have a great turtle soup recipe but how much meat do you have so I can convert it for you. Remove meat from pot, and set aside. These turtles are mainly terrestrial and roam around on land in search of food. There are 24 different types of turtles in Louisiana as well as 5 species of sea turtles that can be seen off the coastal water. Razorbacks inhabit slower-moving waters such as ponds and usually hide between aquatic vegetation. On a lightly floured surface, unfold puff pastry sheets. They begin nesting in April and continue on until September. packages of frozen chef's seasonings 2 7-oz. Their shells can vary from black and brown to gray or olive. Boneless Turtle Meat 2 lb bag - Louisiana Crawfish Company Loggerheads are able to stay submerged for nearly 60 hours without coming up for a breath. There are also five species of sea turtles that visit the coastal areas of Louisiana. Donald Barkemeyer's alligator sausage, brand name Louisiana Cajun Grill Sausage, $6.99 a pound, is sold in Winn-Dixie stores in the New Orleans region and Gulf South. Add turtle meat and add enough boiling salted water to cover the meat. I'm trying to find other turtle recipes, besides soup. Limbs are solid colored, while the head tends to have lighter colored stripes. They prefer still, to very slow moving, shallow waters such as swamps, bogs, and small ponds. Melvin Vanacor, Sr, (1934-2003) was always called by his nickname T-Nom, which means little man in Cajun French. As long as you follow proper rules you can hunt turtles in Louisiana. They can often be seen swimming in the water with their heads poking out, similar to periscopes. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until turtle is tender and can easily be removed from bone. Of the four main species of box turtles, the three-toed box turtle is Louisiana's most abundant variety. 504-522-7273. Diamond-backed terrapins have wedge-shaped shells that range between brown or gray to yellow and even black. Camp turtle soup - Turtle soup is one of the most well-known turtle recipes, and, in fact, it might be the easiest! With a mix of French, Spanish and African heritage, Creoles in New Orleans have played an important part in the culture of the city. cookies, vegetable oil, butter, white sugar, powdered sugar, eggs, flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, vanilla extract, ritz crackers (or any buttery round cracker) and. They are a subspecies of the Diamond-backed Terrapin. Misssissippi Map turtles have dark shells, often brown or black and have contour-like yellow markings. Continue to cook on a med/low - med heat (not boiling) until turtle is tender. These turtles dont spend much time basking but they may climb up low lying tree branches. Drain on paper towel. Turtle Soup Recipe - Creole Turtle Soup | Hank Shaw Remove from the heat. Any body got a good turtle recipe? Takes about 25 min. Add the veal pieces and cook while stirring frequently until brown on all sides, about 5 to 8 minutes. Painted turtles have smooth, flattened carapaces that range from olive to black. Add hot sauce. Best Turtle Recipes - Miss Homemade Frog Leg RecipesBest Fish RecipesWild Game Recipes. Add lemon juice, eggs and parsley. shakes, smoothies, milk, coffee, juice, water and chocolate milk, shakes, smoothies, frapp's, milk, coffee, juice and water, 6" Low Fat Sandwiches with 6 Grams of Fat or Less, Cookie Sandwiches (Non-CA locations only). Chicken Clemenceau. Turtle Soups--12 Best Restaurants. - New Orleans Menu Turtles in Louisiana (20 Native Species) - All Turtles He hauled up the trap to the clatter of shells, as the turtles in it scuttled over each other. The Chicken Turtle doesnt sport feathers, cluck, or eat chickens, instead, they get their name because reportedly they taste like the egg-laying yard bird. Head to our Green Sea turtles page for more information. At first glance, you may think this is a Painted turtle. Weve examined groups like Map turtles to Softshell turtles, and Mud turtles to Box turtles. Your Cart Close Cart Panel. Continue to cook on a med/low - med heat (not boiling) until turtle is tender. Chop meat into 1" - 2" pieces. The species gets its name from the number of toes on its hind feet . Alligator, Turtle, Frog - Louisiana Crawfish Company They put turtle meat in their pots lots of it and they put the wine in the cook instead of the pot. When looking for a place to stay, River Cooters look for plenty of basking spots as this is a beloved pastime. Brennan's Turtle Soup | Saveur These turtles prefer deep ocean waters where they can feast on their favorite food, lions mane jellyfish. [], Snow Goose Confit Banh Mi is a complex dish to make, but its a great way to use late season geese in a recipe. All you need is the essential ingredients for any soup (onions, stock, garlic and a few others) and a large pot and you're good to go! Though omnivorous, these turtles prefer to eat mollusks, clams, and mussels, while smaller males feed mostly on insects and smaller mollusks. Large bodies of water such as rivers and lakes with abundant basking spots are where you will find these turtles. Cook until vegetables are soft. They are mainly found in the southwest of Louisiana, but can be seen occasionally in other areas. Cook slowly for 20 to 30 minutes. Ingredients 4 tablespoons butter, divided 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided 2 pounds turtle meat, patted dry and cut into -inch cubes, divided 1 teaspoon salt, divided 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided 2 red onions, chopped 3 stalks celery, chopped 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped 6 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon tomato paste When threatened, the Eastern Mud turtle will pull itself into the shell, but it may also bite, for these turtles are aggressive. Occasionally, Spiny Softshells will nibble on aquatic plants. Make a roux with the cooking oil and flour in a heavy pot, preferably cast iron. The plastron on these turtles is very minimal, usually white, and cross shaped. They also have nubs and fleshy spikes on their shells. Turn dough onto a floured surface and roll out to 1/4-inch thickness. Their shells have jagged, saw-toothed edges. In Louisiana they are mainly confined to a couple of eastern counties near the Pearl River. Ornate Box turtles are mainly found in Louisianas southwestern areas, but there are a few scattered populations elsewhere in the state. This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Turtle Soup - Louisiana Cookin Not only do they eat mushrooms but they will also eat cacti, fruits, insects, worms, and anything else edible. In a medium saucepan, stir together brown sugar, condensed milk, corn syrup, butter, and salt. There was a report of a few people eating a Three Toed Box turtle, then subsequently becoming sick. Season it up as spicy as you wish.TURTLE ETOUFFEEolive oil5 lb turtle meat, cleaned4 lg. Eastern Box turtles enjoy a wide range of foods. Keep reading as we go over all the native turtles found in and around Louisiana. Sponges are this turtles favorite food. The Three Toed Box turtle is the least decorated of North American Box turtles. 99. Do not add water or wine. Saut Vegetables: After the meat is browned, remove from the pot. Taste stew, adjust seasonings as desired. Their back is covered in bony plates and a leathery skin. 8 McKenzie's (NOLA) recipes ideas - Pinterest Add tomato pure, lower heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the V-8 Juice, cover and simmer for 1 hour. These turtles are protected in American waters, but that doesnt stop poachers from taking them. Possession of firearms while taking or hunting frogs at night is prohibited. Add egg, sugar, salt, and evaporated milk. These turtles have a long neck and netted patterns on their carapace. rectangles. Slowly pour the water into the batter, mixing well and being careful of splashing. Their brown or gray skin is usually covered in black dots, while black marking lines stretch across the shell. From Cajun and Creole recipes to the classic New Orleans recipes, you'll find the perfect dish to make your dinner guests swoon. Three-toed Box turtles have high domed carapaces which are usually brown or olive in color. Reduce by half. Though these turtles are very skittish, you may see them sharing basking sites with other species. Add the garlic, tomatoes, okra, roux and Cajun seasoning. 28 Types of Turtles Found in Louisiana! (ID Guide) Their omnivorous diet consists of small fish, aquatic invertebrates, and underwater vegetation. Add garlic and tomato paste, and cook 2 minutes. Preheat air fryer to 360. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. An omnivorous species, Eastern Musk turtles hunt for prey by scent. A sting caught them illegally selling box turtles, the feds say; they Bring to a boil and skim the scum that floats to the top. Working in batches, add soup to the work bowl of a blender, and blend on high speed until thick. How Long Can Sea Turtles Hold Their Breath? Discovery, Inc. or its subsidiaries and affiliates. Correct seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. These mighty turtles are aquatic and live in deep waters like lakes or rivers. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla extract and baking soda. These colorful turtles have distinctive patterning on their shells, sporting a series of yellow to orange stripes. Crustaceans, invertebrates, mollusks, fish, tadpoles, frogs, and insects make up most of their diet. Top with remaining pastry rectangles; press edges with a fork to seal. Cooking . Females are nearly twice as big as males, and they have larger, stronger jaws that allow them to eat clams, mussels, and other hard-shelled sea creatures. 11. Alligator Snapping turtles have spiked shells, spiked tails, and spiked skin, though the tubercles on the skin are fleshy and not hard. Cajun Grocer ships prepared turtle meat nationwide (cajungrocer.com). These turtles are omnivorous and will eat insects, vegetation, berries, flowers, and occasional rotting carcasses. Set aside. snapper turtle, cleaned, rinsed and medium diced, all-purpose flour, butter, red wine, chopped celery, chopped onion, chopped carrot, minced garlic, beef stock, water . They still have a hinged plastron (lower shell) and can withdraw completely for protection, but they are usually a drab brown color. I ate turtle this weekend and it was awesome. Alligator Snapping turtles are instantly recognizable. Did you enjoy our Louisiana list? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); AllTurtles.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon(.com, .co.uk, .ca etc) and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program. And he was almost always barefoot. Sometimes females can grow 2 to 3 times as large as full-grown males of the same species. 1346 Louisiana Turtles Recipes | RecipeOfHealth.com Though they will bask more often than other musk turtles, they dont leave the water for much else. False Map turtles like to overturn rocks and pebbles in the rivers to stir up insects and eat them. White Tavern Turtle Soup Recipe Rouses Supermarkets The prep work is the hardest part of this classic dish. Smooth Softshell turtles are found mainly in northern areas of Louisiana. Add the turtle meat, cover and cook for 1 more hour. As their name implies, they have three claws on their hindlegs rather than four. Filter Results: Appetizers (26) Desserts (18) Their faces sport yellowish markings and they have yellow to cream plastrons. Naturally, there was an abundance of wines . A vertebral keel is noticeable in juveniles but fades out with age. When there isnt sufficient moisture to keep these turtles hydrated, they will dig a burrow to reach humid soil. Louisiana Recipes. These turtles can swim, but prefer to roam the earth. Turtle sauce piquants are especially favored in Des Allemands, Mark and Noochs hometown. There is only one tortoise native to Lousiana which is shown below. Store Locator; Recipes. Of the seven total living sea turtle species, the Kemp's Ridley sea turtle is the smallest. Cook until vegetables are transparent. You may use wild turkey, venison or chicken. Colors vary between black and a dark gray. They sometimes bury themselves in the sand or mud and wait for prey to come near. Smoked Salmon on Crackers with Crispy Swiss Chard, 2 pounds turtle meat, patted dry and cut into -inch cubes, divided. Tie together thyme and oregano sprigs with butchers twine; add to pot and simmer 35 minutes. Eastern Mud turtles are omnivorous and mainly eat worms, snails and other mollusks and sometimes fish. It has been said that turtle tastes like chicken, but that seems to be the answer for any type of odd meat. Southern Painted turtles also spend a lot of time basking in the sun. Parboil the turtle meat; drain. They can produce a bite force of nearly 1,000 pounds. Razor-backed Musk turtles are carnivorous and feed mainly on aquatic invertebrates, such as shellfish, crustaceans, fish, and mollusks. If so, then feel free to comment below whether you are looking to purchase a turtle or are just a herpetology enthusiast! A big grin broke out on his face. Food is not a problem for these turtles as they will eat nearly anything thats edible. They range through grasslands and prairies that dont always have access to water. Add half of turtle meat, teaspoon salt, and teaspoon pepper; cook until meat is browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. In a 4-quart heavy-bottomed pot melt 2 Tbsp butter. Season with salt and black pepper. Add flour and cook 2 minutes. Unfortunately, they still are nowhere near the numbers they should be. They usually feed on mollusks, crustaceans, invertebrates and small fish as well as plants. Add the bay leaves and about a tablespoon of salt. Ouachita Map turtles are found mainly along the Atchafalaya, Mississippi, and Red rivers of Louisiana. Place over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly, until mixture reaches 240F, about 5 minutes. 10 lb. Cajun Fried Gator Tail | McCallum's Shamrock Patch Remove meat from bones. Stir to blend. Make a brown roux of the fat and flour. Add the Rotel tomatoes, the tomato sauce, the tomato paste and the bay leaves. There are some restaurants in Louisiana that still serve turtle dishes. While not great swimmers, these turtles prefer slower moving waterways with plenty of vegetation. pack boneless. Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler. Louisiana, though typically shown as nothing but swampland, actually has a wide variety of landscapes. It is almost identical in looks and behavior but has a much smaller range. A subspecies of the Loggerhead Musk turtle, Stripe-necked Musk turtles are small, quick aquatic turtles found in counties of Louisiana that border Mississippi. Turtle Recipes Recipes in Louisiana - Louisiana Sportsman Reports, LA These range from Box turtles, Cooters, Snapping turtles, Diamondback Terrapins as well as an endangered tortoise. juice, clam juice, and Worcestershire sauce; simmer 10 minutes. There are 20 different types of turtles in Louisiana that are native to the state. Stir constantly. They are active during the day and like to bask. Jerald Horst is a retired Louisiana State University professor of fisheries. Render the turtle meat (cook until brown) at a medium to high heat. These burrows can be up to 20 feet long, and its estimated that one tortoise will dig nearly 30 to 40 in a lifetime. Put the turtle meat into a large pot and cover with 8 cups of water. Cook on low heat from 6 to 8 hours until meat is tender. The same coloration continues on their heads and limbs. Add celery, green onions, peppers, wine and seasoning. This is definitely not recommended as these turtles carry an extremely powerful bite. Females are able to handle larger prey as they are bigger and have stronger jaws. Eastern Musk turtles have a great sense of smell and hunt for prey by scent. Cut each sheet into six 4-1/2x3-in. These turtles travel thousands of miles yearly. They will also eat plants. Cooker Recipes. Turtle-Associated Salmonellosis, United States, 2006-2014 Copyright 1999 - 2023 Louisiana Sportsman, Inc. All rights reserved. They will eat fungi, berries, grasses, insects, worms, spiders, slugs, and snails, as well as some carrion. If more water is needed during cooking to keep the sauce from getting too thick, add turtle water. Simmer additional 15 minutes. PAGE MENU. Have a cast iron pot on med/high heat with a little oil and begin to brown. To tell a Ouachita Map turtle from other Map turtles, look for large yellow or white spots on the side of their heads. Kitchen Queens: New Orleans | Creole New Orleans | Episode 1 | PBS Louisiana, though typically shown as nothing but swampland, actually has a wide variety of landscapes. Try stir-frying the meat with bacon in a very hot skillet or adding it to a stew or gumbo. If youre truly lucky you might be able to spot nesting sea turtles along some of the sandy beaches. The recipes below are from two of the towns late, old time turtle experts. The shell also has a wrinkled appearance, and the plastron (lower part of the shell) is yellowish or tan.