The INDsider -> R. Reese Fuller MON, JAN 12 4:52AM by R. Reese Fuller

The British invent Cajun Squirrel

The headline of The Independent (that one over in England), asks the question: "Is Cajun squirrel the new cheese and onion?" The company Walkers is trying out new flavors (sorry, "flavours") of chips (sorry again, "crisps"). Of the six contestants, one of them has been dubbed Cajun Squirrel. The United Kingdom's public will vote on the best flavor to add to the Walkers family of crisps.

The Independent also links to this image of a squirrel, with this caption: "The public will choose its favourite flavour from six finalists - builder's breakfast, onion bhaji, Cajun squirrel, chilli and chocolate, crispy duck and hoisin, and fish & chips - and its creator will win £50,000." Is that supposed to be a Cajun squirrel? I'm particularly disturbed by the freakish hair protruding from the little rodent's ears. After consulting with our staff writer and squirrel enthusiast Mary Tutwiler, it's apparent that what the British are trying to do is pass off their little red squirrels (think Squirrel Nutkin) as one of our own.

The Daily Mail reports: "The six winners have been chosen from among more than one million entrants by a team of judges including Heston Blumenthal, the chef who invented snail porridge and bacon ice cream." Mmmm, snail porridge.

Martyn Wright, 26, an online retailer from Staffordshire, who dreamt up Cajun squirrel, said: 'The idea might sound bizarre, but it really works.'

Animal lovers need not worry - the recipe does not include any real squirrel.

Then what's the point? And to add to the confusion, ponder this description from the Daily Mail: "Cajun Squirrel: The most intriguing of the new varieties but unlikely to set the snack world on fire. A strong smoky taste with a distinct chicken flavour. Any Cajun taste is conspicuous by its absence." What?

And to take this whole bizarre story a step further, check out this photo from the Telegraph. Don't be frightened by it though; the photo caption indicates that those aren't genuine Cajun squirrels, just "two people dressed-up as squirrels."

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written by Joshua Benton , January 12, 2009 - 06:34 pm

Glad to hear no squirrels were harmed in the making of these chips. But were any Cajuns?

You got me
written by R. Reese Fuller , January 12, 2009 - 06:38 pm

I haven't the faintest idea. I'm still trying to figure out why it's called Cajun Squirrel if it tastes like smoky chicken.

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