Raccoon was once a Thanksgiving Feast fit for a President

– News covered by Quincy Quarry News.

Many more presidential pardons are expected to soon follow …
Image via Fox News

Raccoon was once a Thanksgiving feast fit for a president.

Long before the annual White House photo op “pardoning” turkeys from ending up as the entree on Thanksgiving become a relatively modern photo op, presidents were often sent all manner of animals for serving at Thanksgiving dinner. 

For example, President Coolidge was sent a raccoon.

Racoon has a long history as a culinary item in the United States as well as that racoon meat is still available for sale in certain parts of the country. 

In fact, racoon meat was once so widely served that Mark Twain included it on a famous list of American foods he missed while traveling in Europe during the 1870s.

First Lady Grace Coolidge and Rebecca the Racoon
Image via the Library of Congress

Those in the know say that racoon tastes like a combination of chicken and suckling pig.

In the case of the racoon sent to President Coolidge, however, not only was this racoon spared from ending up as the main course, she was so endearing that she ended up enjoying life at the White House as a pet. 

That and occasionally sneaking out for a little trash can dining.

Source: Raccoon Was Once a Thanksgiving Feast Fit for a President

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