Mouse Meat: The Only Meat I Failed To Try and How Ghanaians Eat It

I have always been adventurous when it comes to trying new foods, especially different kinds of meat. I have eaten beef, chicken, pork, lamb, goat, fish, shrimp, crab, lobster, squid, octopus, snail, frog, snake, crocodile, ostrich, camel, rabbit, squirrel, guinea pig, and even dog. But there is one meat that I have never tasted: mouse meat.

Mouse meat is not something that you can find easily in most parts of the world. It is considered a pest, a disease carrier, or a pet by many people. However, in some countries, mouse meat is a delicacy that is enjoyed by many people. One of these countries is Ghana.

Ghana is a West African country that has a rich and diverse culture and cuisine. Ghanaian food is influenced by the various ethnic groups that live in the country, such as the Akan, Ewe, Ga, Dagomba, and others. Some of the staple foods in Ghana are fufu (a dough made from cassava or plantain), banku (a fermented corn and cassava dough), kenkey (a fermented corn dough wrapped in corn husk or plantain leaves), waakye (rice and beans cooked together), jollof rice (rice cooked with tomato sauce and spices), and tuo zaafi (a thick porridge made from millet or sorghum).

Ghanaian food is also known for its variety of soups and stews that are usually eaten with the staple foods. Some of the popular soups and stews are groundnut soup (a peanut-based soup), palm nut soup (a soup made from palm fruit pulp), light soup (a clear soup with meat and vegetables), kontomire stew (a stew made from cocoyam leaves), okra stew (a stew made from okra pods), and shito (a spicy sauce made from dried fish, shrimp, pepper, and oil).

But what about mouse meat? How do Ghanaians eat it?

Mouse meat is not a common food in Ghana. It is mostly eaten by people who live in rural areas or who belong to certain ethnic groups. Mouse meat is also known as bushmeat, which refers to any wild animal that is hunted for human consumption.  Bushmeat includes other animals such as antelopes, monkeys, bats, rats, porcupines, pangolins, and crocodiles.

Mouse meat is usually smoked to preserve it and to give it a distinct flavor.  Smoked mouse meat can be eaten as a snack or added to soups and stews. Some people also roast or fry mouse meat and serve it with hot pepper sauce or shito.

Mouse meat is considered a delicacy by some people because it is high in protein and low in fat.  Mouse meat also has a unique taste that some people find appealing. However, mouse meat also has some drawbacks. Mouse meat can be expensive because it is scarce and difficult to catch. Mouse meat can also be dangerous because it can carry diseases such as Ebola and HIV.  Therefore, mouse meat should be cooked thoroughly and handled with care.

I have never tried mouse meat because I have never had the opportunity to do so. I have never seen mouse meat for sale in any market or restaurant in Ghana. I have also never met anyone who has eaten mouse meat or who has offered me some. Maybe one day I will get the chance to taste mouse meat and see what it is like. Until then, I will continue to enjoy the other delicious foods that Ghana has to offer.

What do you think about mouse meat? Have you ever tried it? Would you like to try it? Let me know in the comments below!