Eating Soft Shelled Turtles

In the South, there is a turtle that people call a soft shelled turtle. The shell is softer than other water related turtles and does not have the same markings. The photo shows the head and eyes of such a creature. They look a bit like a prehistoric monster. They get as large as a washtub, and are easily caught in traps or on hooks. The meat is delicious. During the great depression, meat was meat, no matter if it was domestic or wild. So, the soft shelled turtle made its way to the dining table on many an occasion. There are still plenty of soft shelled turtles around, but people don't eat them any more