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Wild Fish and Game Podcast

Wild Fish and Game Podcast

By: Harvesting Nature
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The Wild Fish and Game Podcast explores wild food at the intersection of place, season, culture, and craft. Hosted by Justin Townsend and the Harvesting Nature team, the show goes beyond recipes and hunting stories to examine how food is grown, harvested, preserved, and carried through real life. Each episode dives into the whole wild food system, from hunting, fishing, and foraging to butchery, preservation, and cooking, while asking more profound questions about sustainability, tradition, and how people have continuously fed themselves from the land. Along the way, Justin and his co-hosts are joined by chefs, hunters, foragers, biologists, writers, and cultural knowledge-keepers who help connect ecology to the table. Whether discussing regional foodscapes, seasonal harvests, preservation techniques, or modern wild-food culture, the Wild Fish and Game Podcast is about learning to eat with the land rather than against it. Harvesting Nature is a wild food media company dedicated to education, conservation, and self-reliance through hunting, fishing, and foraging. Questions, feedback, and guest suggestions can be sent to whatscooking@harvestingnature.com.Harvesting Nature, LLC Art Cooking Food & Wine
Episodes
  • Episode 276: The Wild Pantry, Part V, Preserving Wild Food with Fat

    Episode 276: The Wild Pantry, Part V, Preserving Wild Food with Fat
    Jun 16 2026
    Summary: In this episode, Justin Townsend and Adam Berkelmans explore the history, techniques, and safety considerations of fat-based preservation methods like confit, rillette, and oil preservation. They discuss how these ancient techniques transform food and remain relevant today. - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review of the Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy our Wild Fish and Game Spices⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Art of Venison Sausage Making⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Links: A Hunter’s Guide to Confit Venison Shank Confit Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Overview of Fat Preservation Techniques 02:50 The History and Evolution of Confit 06:02 The Science Behind Confit and Preservation 08:56 Rendering Fat: The Key to Successful Confit 11:51 Practical Applications and Modern Considerations 22:02 Unlocking the Value of Animal Fats 25:30 Exploring Confit and Rillette Techniques 30:04 Innovative Oil Preservation Methods 34:10 Safety in Fat and Oil Preservation 41:10 The Luxurious Transformation of Food Preservation Takeaways: History of confit and fat preservation Techniques for rendering and preserving fat Safety considerations and botulism risks Modern applications of traditional methods Transformative effects of fat on food texture and flavor Keywords: Food preservation, confit, rillette, fat preservation, wild food, traditional techniques, safety, botulism, rendering fat, culinary history Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    41 mins
  • Episode 275: Wild Game Without Borders

    Episode 275: Wild Game Without Borders
    May 26 2026
    Summary: Justin Townsend and Adam Berkelmans explore how global cuisines can inspire new approaches to cooking wild game, emphasizing techniques suited for tougher, leaner, and more variable ingredients. They discuss the historical roots of European traditions, the influence of other cuisines, and practical tips for expanding your culinary repertoire. - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review of the Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy our Wild Fish and Game Spices⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Art of Venison Sausage Making⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters: 00:00 Exploring Wild Game Cooking Traditions 10:00 The Influence of European Cooking on Wild Game 19:50 Global Cuisines and Their Techniques for Wild Game 21:40 Culinary Adaptations Across Cultures 27:15 The Importance of Enjoying Food 33:36 Techniques for Cooking Wild Game 39:04 Exploring Global Culinary Systems 44:53 Redefining Wild Food and Its Potential Takeaways: European culinary traditions and their origins Techniques for tough and lean meats from global cuisines The influence of scarcity and environment on cuisine development Using spices, acids, and fermentation to balance wild ingredients Practical methods for applying international techniques at home Keywords: Wild game, global cuisines, cooking techniques, culinary systems, wild food, traditional recipes, food culture, foraging, wild meat, culinary diversity Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    44 mins
  • Episode 274: The Wild Pantry, Part IV, Smoking

    Episode 274: The Wild Pantry, Part IV, Smoking
    May 6 2026
    Summary: This conversation delves into the ancient art of smoking food, exploring its historical significance, cultural practices, and the science behind how smoking enhances flavor and preserves food. The hosts discuss various smoking techniques, safety considerations, and the versatility of smoking in modern culinary practices, including the use of liquid smoke as an alternative. The discussion emphasizes the transformative power of smoke in enhancing the richness and complexity of flavors in wild foods. In this conversation, Adam Berkelmans and Justin Townsend delve into the art of smoking food, discussing various techniques, common mistakes, and creative recipes. They explore the use of liquid smoke, the importance of seasoning, and the communal aspect of smoking as a cooking method. The discussion emphasizes the balance between traditional methods and modern conveniences, encouraging listeners to experiment with smoking techniques and flavors. - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review of the Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy our Wild Fish and Game Spices⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Art of Venison Sausage Making Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Smoked Za’atar Puffball Mushroom Citrus Smoked Venison Shanks Smoked Goose Hearts with Lemon Dressing Blackened Smoked Salmon Burgers with Duck Fat Fries Smoked Venison Chili Chapters: 00:00 The Art of Smoking: An Ancient Preservation Method 03:12 Cultural Significance and Global Practices of Smoking 05:46 The Science Behind Smoking: How It Works 09:13 Getting Started: Tools and Techniques for Smoking 12:00 Safety Considerations in Smoking Food 14:50 Exploring Wild Foods: Smoking Fish and Game 17:58 The Versatility of Smoking: Beyond Preservation 20:52 Liquid Smoke: A Modern Alternative 24:00 Conclusion: Embracing the Flavor of Smoke 29:31 Exploring Liquid Smoke and DIY Techniques 31:00 Crossover Methods in Smoking and Preservation 38:51 Common Mistakes in Smoking Techniques 40:00 Starting with Hot Smoking: Easy Entry Points 49:04 Creative Smoking Recipes and Techniques 51:01 The Communal Aspect of Smoking and Traditional Techniques Takeaways: Smoking is one of the oldest methods of food preservation. Cultural practices of smoking vary globally, from fish to meats. The science of smoking involves compounds that enhance flavor and preservation. Hot smoking cooks food while cold smoking requires careful temperature control. Different smoking setups range from simple DIY to advanced electric smokers. Safety is crucial, especially with cold smoking to prevent bacterial growth. Wild foods like fish and game benefit greatly from smoking techniques. Smoking transforms food, enhancing its flavor and richness. Liquid smoke offers a convenient alternative but should be used sparingly. Understanding the history and methods of smoking can enhance culinary experiences. Liquid smoke can be recreated with simple tools. Combining smoking with other preservation methods yields better results. Too much smoke can lead to bitter flavors; a thin stream is ideal. Temperature control is crucial for successful smoking. Wild game requires different smoking techniques than domestic meats. Seasoning is essential; smoke adds flavor but is not a substitute. Overcrowding the smoker can lead to uneven cooking. Quality of wood affects the flavor of smoked food. Hot smoking is an accessible entry point for beginners. Smoking can be a communal and enjoyable experience. Keywords: Smoking, food preservation, wild food, cultural practices, safety, techniques, flavor enhancement, liquid smoke, ancient methods, culinary arts liquid smoke, smoking techniques, preservation methods, common mistakes, hot smoking, creative recipes, communal cooking, traditional flavors Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    49 mins
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