Is the soft-shell turtle a tortoise or a turtle? How to deal with soft-shell turtles

Turtle is a delicious dish on the table, a high-quality material for a fine banquet, and can also be used as a Chinese medicine. There are many ways to eat it. In addition to stewing, it can also be eaten by steaming, braising, frying and other cooking methods. Are you also curious about whether the turtle is a tortoise or a turtle? Here are some related sharings!

Contents of this article

1. Is the soft-shell turtle a tortoise or a turtle?

2. How to deal with soft-shelled turtles

3. Tips on how to make turtle soup without fishy smell

Is the soft-shell turtle a tortoise or a turtle?

Turtle is a common name for turtle, also called round fish, water fish, etc. It is an oviparous amphibian reptile with more than 20 species. The main existing species in China are Chinese soft-shelled turtle, mountain soft-shelled turtle, spotted soft-shelled turtle, and cantorii, among which Chinese soft-shelled turtle is the most common.

Soft-shell turtle is a delicious delicacy on the table, a high-quality ingredient for fine banquets, and can also be used as a traditional Chinese medicine.

The soft-shell turtle is a cold-blooded animal that is amphibious and breathes with lungs. Its living habits are that it likes quietness and is afraid of being startled, it likes sunshine and is afraid of wind, and it likes cleanliness and is afraid of dirt.

The whole body of the soft-shelled turtle is edible. The meat is easily digested and absorbed, produces high calories and is rich in nutrients. It is usually made into "soft-shelled turtle soup" for drinking.

How to deal with soft-shelled turtle

To handle the turtle, you need to turn it over first, chop off its neck quickly with a knife, then stand it up and cut along the shell with a knife. After separating the shell and body into two halves, remove the turtle's internal organs and finally rinse the turtle with clean water.

1. When handling a turtle, first turn it over. The turtle will try to turn over and stretch its neck. When the turtle's neck is stretched to its longest, quickly chop off the turtle's neck with a knife.

2. After chopping off the turtle's neck, stand the turtle's body upright, then cut along the turtle's shell with a knife, and then pull the turtle's shell and body apart into two halves. Cut off the turtle's neck before pulling it apart, because the turtle's neck and back shell are connected.

3. After separating the turtle's body from its shell, remove all of its internal organs and clean it. If you need to keep the turtle's head, cut its throat and clean the slippery surface.

Tips on how to stew turtle soup without fishy smell

First of all, before stewing the soft-shelled turtle, you need to scrape off the fat with a knife to remove some of the fishy smell. Secondly, you can add onions, ginger, and cooking wine when stewing the soft-shelled turtle soup. These ingredients can remove the fishy smell and make the taste of the soft-shelled turtle soup richer.

After killing the turtle and removing the internal organs, you can put it in a frying pan and lightly fry it, which is also effective in removing the fishy smell.

There are many ways to eat soft-shelled turtles. In addition to stewing, they can also be eaten by steaming, braising, frying and other cooking methods.

The nutritional value of soft-shelled turtle is very high, containing protein, fat, calcium, iron, copper, glue, keratin and various vitamins.