Something's been bugging me about that dirty hippie thing...
August 16, 2011 2:32 PM Subscribe
North American edible bugs?
I know that there are edible worms, ants, grasshoppers, grubs, and who knows what else here in North Texas and, well, everywhere in the world. Where are some resources about how to identify which ones are edible (and tasty)? How to farm/trap them? How/whether to purge them? Recipes? If they're specific to the Southern US or to Texas, or anything like that then all the better.
I know that there are edible worms, ants, grasshoppers, grubs, and who knows what else here in North Texas and, well, everywhere in the world. Where are some resources about how to identify which ones are edible (and tasty)? How to farm/trap them? How/whether to purge them? Recipes? If they're specific to the Southern US or to Texas, or anything like that then all the better.
Eat these. My favorite bug, but I prefer to observe them, not incorporate them. YMMV.
posted by FauxScot at 2:49 PM on August 16, 2011
posted by FauxScot at 2:49 PM on August 16, 2011
Recipes, resources, stylish food photos (and some self-promotion) are all available at the entomophagous blog Girl Meets Bug.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 2:53 PM on August 16, 2011
posted by BitterOldPunk at 2:53 PM on August 16, 2011
be careful eating bugs, other people are trying to kill them with poison. I say grow your own.
posted by abirdinthehand at 3:52 PM on August 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by abirdinthehand at 3:52 PM on August 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
Termites are my go-to source of protein and fat for the apocalypse.
There are many species of termites, and I don't know which ones are edible where you live (or if all of them are).
posted by klanawa at 3:53 PM on August 16, 2011
There are many species of termites, and I don't know which ones are edible where you live (or if all of them are).
posted by klanawa at 3:53 PM on August 16, 2011
You may still be able to find copies of David George Gordon's "Eat-a-Bug Cookbook". It included information on ordering insects from scientific supply companies. Be sure to cook well, as many insects are full of parasites.
posted by sevenyearlurk at 4:24 PM on August 16, 2011
posted by sevenyearlurk at 4:24 PM on August 16, 2011
I've had fried grasshoppers, and it's all good except the drumsticks. My one point of advice: throw them in the freezer before you throw them in the frying pan, so that they're real slow when they hit the hot fat. Otherwise they're hopping out faster than you can put them back in. My apologies to those who construe that as cruelty to animals, but you really can't slaughter a hopper before you fry it.
posted by bricoleur at 7:51 PM on August 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by bricoleur at 7:51 PM on August 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
Tip for grasshoppers (and lots of bugs, I imagine):
Eat the thorax. Throw out the rest. The thorax contains all the muscle, the abdomen is (if you'll excuse the literally-correct but impolite terminology) full of shit. The legs are basically nothing but crunch, and the head, likewise, is not especially palatable. Think of it like any other animal you would eat. You want to eat muscle, not bone or organs.
posted by agentofselection at 9:07 PM on August 28, 2011
Eat the thorax. Throw out the rest. The thorax contains all the muscle, the abdomen is (if you'll excuse the literally-correct but impolite terminology) full of shit. The legs are basically nothing but crunch, and the head, likewise, is not especially palatable. Think of it like any other animal you would eat. You want to eat muscle, not bone or organs.
posted by agentofselection at 9:07 PM on August 28, 2011
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If you don't already know that you'll enjoy eating insects, Hotlix sells Crickettes and Larvets, which are seasoned dried crickets and mealworm larvae, respectively. That would be a gentle introduction. You can buy sampler packs on Amazon.
posted by jedicus at 2:48 PM on August 16, 2011