Rattlesnake Soup…Yes, I said rattlesnake
This recipe has a special place in my heart. That is mostly because I personally shot this rattlesnake as it was making an attempt to attack me. It reiterates the “eat or be eaten” phrase. I was out dove hunting in the mountains near San Diego. I spent the day wandering about various clearings, gazing into the sky, looking for doves, and not really paying attention to the ground where I was walking. I know, rookie mistake. Because it is prime time for rattlesnakes here in Southern California and I should have known better.
After we visited a couple of properties without incident, we then decide to check out one last spot before we headed home for the day. I noticed some birds using a ridge line as cover and decided we should cut across a small hill to reach the area. As we began to climb up the hill and I had one of the odd feelings I have ever had. Do you know when you feel like something is going to definitely happen? Something you didn’t predict but it hits you like a 20lbs mallet to the side of the head saying, “This is going to happen.” I had my moment as I looked at the ground cover and thought, “This would be a great place to live if I were a rattlesnake. I should probably keep an eye out.” I had taken no more than two steps as I crossed over the crest of the hill when I saw it. Our eyes met and we both startled each other.
We both flinched. I jumped back in the air as I raised my shotgun to the shooting position. The snake zig-zagged back into an attack position, its rattler buzzing frantically. The snake made a dash toward the right side of me. Honestly, I do not know if the snake was maneuvering for a better attack position or if it was simply attempting to escape. I was not going to take any chances. I shot… not only did I shoot once, but I also shot three times. My three-shot barrage landed one round in the middle of the snake. I saw it curl up, moving side to side in a ball. I could not tell if it was dead or alive. My hunting partner had no idea what had just happened I took a minute to fill him in and he was astounded by what had just occurred.
After a few moments, the snake’s movement ceased. I could not see the head to make a confirmed kill shot so I stretched out the snake with the barrel of my shotgun. All the emotions set in when I saw the length. The snake easily totaled in length almost four feet. I removed the head and buried it as a safety precaution. I examined the rattle which was nine rattles in length. A decent-sized snake of good age. The day of dove hunting ended abruptly.
I cleaned the snake and packed it on ice for the trip home. After all, I was raised not to waste game.
After a lengthy discussion with my wife about eating the snake, she decided not to kiss me if I chose to eat it. Putting all that aside in the name of adventure, exploration, and my morals, I decided to make a soup. This soup is based on traditional turtle soup but with the snake instead. This recipe is the result. For those wondering, my wife did kiss me after I ate the soup… it just took a couple of days.
Listen to our Podcast
Apple Podcasts, Google, Spotify, Amazon Music
Try our Delicious Wild Fish and Game Spice Blends!

Junction,
Awesome and terrifying all at the same time.
Best
Sina
Soup AND adventure… the perfect mix!
Pingback: Tanning a Rattlesnake Skin « Harvesting Nature
Reblogged this on Harvesting Nature and commented:
Here is a recipe that was created in our infancy that brings back so many memories. We have been hearing about rattlesnake sighting being at an all time high this year so I though I would share this again. Enjoy!
The rattlesnake was NOT maneuvering into an attack position. He was coiling into a defensive position out of fear. He was scared – more scared of you than vice versa. Should have let him go on his way. He meant you no harm.