Cicada problem? Make them tonight’s dinner!
Now that Memorial Day has come and gone, the taste of summer is finally here. You know what that means, right? It's time to throw a few light beers in the cooler and roast up some cicadas.
Yes, cicadas. You know, those noise producing, scary-looking larger versions of pesky flies that flock through the air the second summer's humidity hits? Mhm, guess what -- they're edible! And seemingly everywhere! Throwing lunch together has never been so easy!
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OK, so it sounds a little disgusting, right? Well trust me -- you may be singing a different tune once I get through with you.
According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, you can cook up these creepy crawlers and put them on just about anything. A few notes: It's best to get them where the bug itself is the most tender -- female cicadas have more meat than their male counterparts. Oh, and if the thought of the small legs tickling you as they go down your throat skeeves you out (I don't know why!) then feel free to trim them off. The abdomen is where the goods really are, anyway.
Not convinced? Well, let's look at the benefits of chomping down a few cicadas, shall we?
Say goodbye to grocery store trips. I mean, what's easier than walking outside and harvesting fresh ingredients? Nothing.
Raise your hand if you love protein! Cicadas are an excellent source of energy-boosting protein, complete with a crunch. Rid your summer salads of carby croutons and top them with cicadas instead. You hear that? It's weight loss knocking at our doors!
Possibly the most obvious benefit: You are getting rid of one of summer's biggest annoyances. Seriously, the glass scratching chirp of these beauties crawlers is enough to drive you bonkers after just one evening on the deck sipping a martini.
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OK, so I'll be honest: I'm not going to RUSH outside to harvest myself some cicadas this weekend. But it is cool to find out that a safe component to a balanced diet is right outside your back doorstep! Besides, everything's worth trying once, right?
Would you ever try eating cicadas?
Image via Stephen Barnett/ Flickr
Written by Emily Abbate or CafeMom's blog, The Stir.
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