Outside the Shell: Neck and Tail

• A turtle's tail and neck are edible. You can boil them or fry them, and after you've boiled the meat, you can include it in a soup or casserole.

Fins/Limbs

• A turtle's arms and legs, or fins, are also edible. They are best when prepared in a soup or goulash. At the point where the fins meet the main body, you will find the majority of a turtle's meat. The amount at this spot will vary widely by species, but the meat at this point is the best-tasting part of a turtle if you bake or fry it.

Internal Organs

• In addition to the meat in and near the fins, you can also eat a turtle's liver, heart, windpipe, esophagus, pancreas and lungs. These might be more palatable in a stew or soup.

Eggs

• If you've caught a pregnant turtle, you may find some eggs inside when you open the body up before starting to cook it. They will look like a yellow bunch of grapes. In some cultures, these are a delicacy.