Stuffed Dormouse

What exactly is a dormouse, surely it isn't a mouse, Pliny? I asked hopefully.

No, it isn't an ordinary mouse, answered Pliny. It is related to the mouse, but is a different species. It is given the name dormouse because it sleeps for three quarters of its life, and its proper name is Glis glis, which refers to its luscious fat.

Its luscious fat! I exclaimed. Was that why you ate them?

It was indeed, replied Pliny. We kept them in pens and fed them on hazelnuts to improve their flavour.

Mmmm! And how did you cook them, Pliny?

The best method was to stuff them with a forcemeat of pork and small pieces of dormouse trimmings.....

Such as the legs?

Such as the legs. And the forcemeat would be pounded with pepper, nuts, wine and broth. Then the stuffed dormouse would be put into an earthen casserole and roasted in the oven or boiled in a stockpot.

And it tasted good?

Nothing better! Pliny licked his lips. Are you going to make it for my birthday dinner?

If I can find a dormouse, I said doubtfully. Is there anything I could use as a substitute?

A beaver, or a guinea pig, said Pliny. But it would be nowhere near as good.