Possum and other exotic cuts on the way to your plate

They’re cute, fluffy and infuriating for homeowners — but possums are delicious with native spices and a pinot noir.

Bracknell Hotel chef Sharon Cameron with her venison thick sausage, possum chipolatas, and crocodile fillet. Picture: Bruce Mounster

They’re cute, fluffy, and can be infuriating for homeowners — but, apparently, possums are delicious with native spices and a glass of pinot noir.

The nocturnal marsupial could soon be on the menu in South Australia if changes to the state’s food code to expand the definition of game meat are approved.

While goat, rabbit, hare, kangaroo and wallaby are hunt-able and legally edible already, South Australians could soon be buying cuts of buffalo, camel, deer, donkey, horse, pig and possum.

Tasmanian chef Sharon Cameron, who runs the Bracknell Hotel 30km outside Launceston, said possum was a delicacy for the adventurous. She serves possum-meat chipolatas on a menu that aims to expand her customers’ culinary experiences.

“It’s a subtle meat, but people aren’t ready to have a whole possum steak yet,” she said. “But everything tastes okay when it’s in a sausage.”

Unorthodox meats were best served as bite-sized entrees because people would sample something new but usually would not risk an unknown main course.

Ms Cameron said they match well with unique herbs and fine wines. “Possums are best with something not too strong, probably a Tasmanian pinot noir. The chipolatas have native lemon myrtle, so nothing too overpowering.” she said.

After two years of consultation, Australia’s peak food safety group, Food Standards Australia New Zealand, last year set new guidelines for game meats. The states, however, are responsible for introducing and enforcing recommended standards.

Tasmania is the only state where possum harvesting is legal, on specified properties with permits. South Australia is the only state yet to bring its list of game meat animals into line with national standards.

Possum has not replaced the staples — most people at the Bracknell go for the chicken schnitzel or steak — but more travellers are willing to try something new, Ms Cameron said.

SA Health’s consultation period for the proposed changes ends in February, with the review expected to end in September. If the changes are approved, animals must be killed in their “wild state”.