Locusts - if you can't beat them, eat them

guido · Site Admin Joined: Oct 18, 2004 Posts: 381 Location: Italy

Sat Nov 6, 9:53 AM ET

NICOSIA (Reuters) - In their struggle to cope with an invasion of desert locusts, Cypriot farmers may do well to turn to a U.N. site that counsels if you can't beat them eat them.

Locusts are rich in protein and can be stir-fried, boiled or roasted, is one nugget of information provided by the Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organisation in a drive to help deal with locust swarms that have landed in Cyprus from Africa.

"Here are a few local recipes from locust-affected countries," a page on the FAO Web site says.

"Please send us yours!"

One recipe from a tribe in southern Africa advises grinding roast locust to a fine powder to eat on a journey. "The legs, when dried, are especially relished for their pleasant taste."

"Take several dozen locust adults, preferably females, slit the abdomen lengthwise and stuff a peanut inside," a Cambodian recipe suggested. "Then lightly cook the locusts in a wok or hot frying pan, adding a little oil and salt to taste. Be careful not to overcook or burn them."

Eating locusts has been documented from Biblical times. According to the Christian new testament, John the Baptist survived on locusts and honey when he was in the desert -- even though some question whether it was locusts he actually ate as the Greek name "acridae" can also mean the tips of plants.

The locusts reached eastern Mediterranean countries in early November after the worst infestation recorded in Africa for more than a decade. The FAO website is available at http://www.fao.org/news/global/locusts/LOCFAQ.htm#q19.

EWWWWWW!!!!!!!! Rolling Eyes

_________________
In vino veritas!

Kate · Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2004 3:35 am Post subject:

Ok...one word.....RAID!!!!!!!!!!!
_________________
A closed mouth gathers no feet.

Pie · Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2004 8:32 pm Post subject:

I shudder to think...IEWWWWWWWW!!! Hungry

Kate · Posted: Thu Nov 11, 2004 6:20 pm Post subject:

I agree Pie...I don't care how good it might taste...the idea it's a bug still creeps me out!
_________________
A closed mouth gathers no feet.

guido · Site Admin Joined: Oct 18, 2004 Posts: 381 Location: Italy

Belive it or not, on Tue May 30th 2006
someone searched with yahoo.com for locusts recipe.
I've found it looking at yummyfood stats...
for the braves I found a recipe for locusts/grasshoppers gumbo.

http://tiger.towson.edu/~jbuchb1/recipe_page.htm

Who want to test and review this recipe? Shocked

Guido
_________________
In vino veritas!

Leroger · Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2006 3:56 pm Post subject:

ok Guido,,
question,
what would be the right wine to go with that,,
lmao,, and there is no way that i am going to try eat it,

Lee
_________________
Always enjoy the moment, this minute will never be here again, Lee

guido · Site Admin Joined: Oct 18, 2004 Posts: 381 Location: Italy

Lee,
on another website, I've read they taste like celery...
It's a skewer, so i'd go for a good red wine, probably a
south african Merlot.
But it's just a feeling I'm with you... not gonna try it Very Happy

It's strange tho, we east shrimps, crabs and lobster as "delicatessen" (deli), but we can't even think of eating insects...
Guido
_________________
In vino veritas!

paulamathers · Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 3:12 pm Post subject:

that sounds seriously gross, but on a tv programme - im a celebrity get me out of here - they eat all sorts of things like that as tasks to win meals or immunity and it turns my stomach just watching them!