Frozen rabbit hide

[Arya]

Does anyone know for how long rabbit hide/fur can stay frozen before it needs to be taken out and tanned? Is tanned even the correct english word for it?
I have a few in the freezer from this summer, because I didn´t have time to finish them at the time. This summer´s been crazy and now I fear that I might be too late.
I can always give them away as bait, but I would love to give it a go with the tanning.


Kanin1 by Lykketrollet, on Flickr

 

[Janne]

If stored in vacuum, years.
If not in vacuum, the freezing will dry them out.
Yes, tanning is the correct term ( says the foreigner).

A beter way to store them is to scrape them clean, rub in fine salt onto the 'meat side' and dry.

But, if you live in a dry climate like you do in Norway, just drying is fine. They will last for years.

How do you cook rabbit?

I used to remove the rear legs, debone and make Schnitzels.
The rest I used to make into a stew / casserole.

Stew - red wine, bay leaf, black pepper corns, Carrot, Onion, Garlic. Steamed potatoes. Beer.

As the meat is a bit sweeter than hare, I prefer a darker beer, like yours Haakon ( forgot which brewery, Ringnes??)

 

[Robson Valley]

The skins should be OK frozen if you can thaw and process them this winter.
Remember that trappers after fur bearing animals may find them in traps,
dead & frozen, by the time they get to 'run' their trapline.

I just bought 8 lbs / 3.5? kg ripe plums for plum sauce. Good with rabbit.

 

[Arya]

Ok, that´s good news! Then I still have some time left Thank you!

How I cook rabbit? Not in a particularly impressive way, haha! I make a stew or I slow cook them in a pan under a lid, with lots of fat since it´s so lean, and seasoning of course.
I´m a big fan of all sorts of stews really, since I can leave them to cook whilst I work, or sit here on BCUK

 

[Arya]

As the meat is a bit sweeter than hare, I prefer a darker beer, like yours Haakon ( forgot which brewery, Ringnes??)

Yes, It is Ringnes that has the Haakon. Have you tried Aass Bayerøl? I hear several "beer friends" give praise to it!

 

[Janne]

I do not think so. But will try next time!