Strange but True Info on Eating Insects

Insect-eating is called entomophagy. Insects provide an important source of protein, vitamins, minerals and fats in many cultures. They are usually peeled and cooked before eating, like shellfish, and the legs are usually discarded. Generally larval insects rather than full grown ones are eaten, though ants and crickets are eaten in their adult stages.

Not all insects are edible, so do your homework before you experiment. However, many insects are edible, more than 1,000 varieties. As with all sorts of meats, it's usually best to eat insects cooked, so as to avoid parasitic infections. They can be fried, roasted, steamed, freeze-dried, and fondued.

Some Common Edible Insects

Like Scottish haggis, blood pudding, Japanese sashimi, Chinese hundred year eggs, and Swedish Lütefisk, people from countries other than those in which these foods are traditional often cringe at the thought of eating unfamiliar foods. To North Americans and WesternEuropeans, the idea of eating insects usually makes their skin crawl, mostly because the practise is unfamiliar, not because the insects are unappetizing.
To the rest of the world, however insects range in rank from staple food sources to highly-sought delicacies. Eating an insect isn't really much different from eating shellfish like shrimp and crayfish, eating caterpillars isn't much different from eating snails, especially if they are sautéed in garlic and butter. Here is some information about cultures which enjoy insects as a food source.

Types of Insects

adult Bogong moths

The Australian Wiradjuri peoples enjoyed gathering and eating Bogong moths in the Australian Alps.

crickets and grasshoppers

termites

Susan Herrera, an American school teacher, has written a book that relates her travels with the Peace Corps, and her experiences with eating termites and learning to adapt to unfamiliar surroundings and cultures.

beetle grubs

Caterpillars A variety of insects are eaten in Zambia and other African nations.The Zambezian mopane and miombo woodlands provide mopane worms and Cerina forda caterpillars, the most widely consumed caterpillar in southern Africa.
The Nanti people of the Amazon eat certain kinds of caterpillars, as do the Amacimbi people of the Bulilimamanguwe District in Zimbabwe.
Information on edible caterpillars can be found in libraries under HD 9438.E32 and E324.

bee larvae

beetles

mealworms

ants

Insect Recipes

In the really weird news category is a figurine sculpture by artist Peter Calvesbert depicting anteaters all twisted up together trying to get at ymmy ants. Weird but very cute, and it comes with a cookbook that is full of ant recipes!

Bob Tanem, garden talk show host of Tanem's Garden Centers in California, gives talks on innovative garden strategies as well as providing ant recipes.

Grasshopper recipes and insect nutritional content charts can be found at this site.

Iowa State university features worm, beetle and other insect recipes, including some served up by celebrities on TV!

Media on Eating Insects

WorldOne Television in the Uk has shown a documentary program called "Caterpillar Moon" which provides a look at the Aka pygmy peoples of the Central African rainforest who harvest the edible caterpillars that fall from mahogany trees.

Books on Eating Insects

Creepy Crawly Cuisine: The Gourmet Guide to Edible Insects Julieta Romos-Elorduy, Peter Menzel (photographer)
Complete with recipes and color photos.
Usually shipped in 24 hours. Amazon Price: $12.80 You Save: $3.20 (20%)

Eat-A-Bug Cookbook David George Gordon
Usually ships within 24 hours. Amazon Price: $10.36 You Save: $2.59 (20%)

Man Eating Bugs: The Art and Science of Eating Insects Peter Menzel, Faith D'Aluisio
Photojournalistic journey which includes recipes.
Usually ships within 24 hours. Amazon Price: $15.96 You Save: $3.99 (20%)

Moth Hunters : Aboriginal Prehistory of the Australian Alps by Josephine Flood
A book about the Aboriginal harvesting of the Autralian Bogong moths. Price: $29.95 Hardcover (July 1980)

Online Newsletter - The Food Insects Newlsetter Inc.
This newsletter provides practical information about gathering, raising, preparing and eating insects. Includes information on cultures that eat insects and allergies related to the production and consumption of insects.

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