Maybe you have already heard of exotic foods and few of them are, in fact, considered as exotic because they contain bugs! Just imagine eating something that could actually cause a shiver in your spine just by looking at… well, we could never really know what anything has to offer for our gastronomic cravings without first actually trying them out, right? And that’s the case of these bugs we’re talking about.
Now, if you’re into being an adventurous eater and is now ready to receive this very challenging blessing of nature for your stomach, here is a list of edible bugs you can now integrate with a delicious set of recipe- maybe even using the recipe of your favorite dish!
- Crickets
When talking about bugs humans can safely consume, one that is most probably at the top of our mind are nothing else but crickets- because beyond from they have been already a part of many cultural and traditional cuisines, crickets are indeed very easy to catch! Hence, when the world would be running out of ‘normally consumed’ food (hoping we won’t reach that point, though), crickets are most probably one which many of us would resort unto.
How crickets are eaten?
Based on the native way, crickets are usually dried and roasted- eaten with a sprinkle of salt. But if you’re someone on your adventure to finding how a cricket can be a very memorable dish for you (except the reason that you’re about to eat a bug, in fact), you can add up crickets into either stew or soup- even more, could be a main ingredient replacement for your favorite dish! Experiment by yourself and see as to what extent crickets could serve you and your gastronomical needs!
- Grasshoppers and Locusts
If you’re into green stuff then maybe you can try grasshoppers for your next exotic meal! Mind you, even a kid can easily catch one so there’s really no problem in you trying to get some for yourself! A very beneficial reason why crickets should be eaten is that they are actually rich in protein.
How grasshoppers and locusts are eaten?
Head and entrails should be removed- cook them either through traditional frying or mixing them in your self-made saucy stew, it’s all on you!
- Ants
In catching an ant if you’re planning to eat them, be very sure that they are killed before they could secrete those acids which make any predator- you, as for this case, to not to enjoy eating them because they have just completely changed their flavor before anything else.
What an intelligent way to die, huh? Indeed. Anyway, if you’re into spicy food, you should try red ants but if ever you’re the type who always prefer the original and the plain kind of food rather than any flavored ones, then you should definitely go for black ants.
How ants can be eaten?
Roasting and frying are the main recommended way as how ants should be consumed- adding up salt or maybe you should try implementing in this main ingredient that salty and sour recipe!
- Termites
Other protein-rich bugs next to a grasshopper that we have on this list are termites! Oops, although they look scary especially when under a microscope, wood termites could actually be eaten! For some cultures, they treat eating termite queen as a form of delicacy. It is a bit intimidating isn’t it?
One more good thing about this is unlike any other insects, they have less probability fo carrying parasites in them.
How termites can be eaten:
Do you remember how grasshoppers are prepared and how crickets are suggested to be cooked? Combine those two and now you’re all good.
- Wood Lice
Wood lice, in some culture are also known as land shrimps, potato or pill bugs- although this one isn’t a bug by default, it could be prepared, eaten, and you can actually benefit from it as much as you would do with other bugs!
Wood lice are basically considered as terrestrial crustacean- so they’re with an escalated class compared to others which we have on the list.
How can wood lice be eaten?
Boil them in water and allow letting them in it for a few minutes- this is to remove any worms that might be attached with them.
Thereafter, strain and cook- roasted and fried once again!
References:
News.nationalgeographic.com. (2019). U.N. Urges Eating Insects; 8 Popular Bugs to Try. [online] Available at: https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/13/130514-edible-insects-entomophagy-science-food-bugs-beetles/ [Accessed 10 Feb. 2019].
Backpacker. (2019). 12 Edible Bugs That Could Help You Survive. [online] Available at: https://www.backpacker.com/survival/12-edible-bugs-that-could-help-you-survive [Accessed 10 Feb. 2019].
IFLScience. (2019). Five edible insects you really should try. [online] Available at: https://www.iflscience.com/environment/five-edible-insects-you-really-should-try/ [Accessed 10 Feb. 2019].
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