German Butcher Turns Local Raccoon Nuisance Into A Surprising Hit With ‘Raccoon Sausage Balls’

Much like New York City’s notorious rat problem, Germany faces a different yet similar challenge: an overpopulation of raccoons. Michael Reiss, a hunter and butcher based in Northeast Germany, has stepped up to tackle the crisis by turning these raccoons into sausage balls, wrapping them up in convenient to-go orders.

In the U.S., raccoons are commonly seen rummaging through trash, and many people simply hope they leave. In some rural areas, however, coon hunting is practiced for both meat and fur. This raises the question: Does this practice help make Reiss’ approach to addressing Germany’s raccoon overpopulation more acceptable? It’s a complex issue, and opinions may vary.

In an interview with CNN, Reiss explained that he noticed raccoons killed as pests were often discarded in the trash. He then approached local officials to see if they could instead be processed into food. After receiving approval, Reiss began making his “raccoon balls”—meatballs made from raccoon meat.

Surprisingly, Reiss’ idea has been a hit with customers at his shop, Wildererhütte, located in Kate, a city west of Berlin. Now, he’s expanded his offerings, selling raccoon meat products online, with a total of seven different items available. As Reiss told CNN, “We’re the only place in Europe selling raccoon meat… People come from all over, sometimes driving 150 kilometers (93 miles) to visit my store, combining it with a day trip just to try raccoon.”

While eating raccoons may seem unusual, many cultures around the world have their own unique delicacies. France is known for escargot, China serves frog legs (tiánjī tuǐ), the Philippines offers fertilized duck eggs (balut), and Australians eat emu. Perhaps, in time, raccoon meat could become a new food trend in Germany. Would it be something you’d consider trying, or does it remain outside your culinary comfort zone?