Add Crunchy Cicadas To Your Diet: Insect Invasion Becomes A Food Delicacy

The Bend Show Radio & Podcast

Add a Little Crunch to Your Diet with Cicadas: USA insect emergence offers a unique culinary experience. Will you try?

THE WORLD OF CICADAS

Insects have long been a part of traditional diets worldwide, with cicadas being one such edible insect. In this guide, we'll explore the fascinating world of cicadas, including their nutritional value, life cycle, and how to safely harvest, store, and prepare them for consumption.

Cicadas belong to the superfamily Cicadidae and are known for their robust bodies, broad heads, transparent wings, and distinct compound eyes. With over 3,000 known species, cicadas are divided into annual and periodical cicadas. Periodical cicadas, like Brood XIX, spend most of their lives underground and emerge every 13 or 17 years in synchronized broods.

Nutritional Value of Cicadas Cicadas are a valuable source of nutrition, containing high levels of protein and essential amino acids. Studies have shown that cicadas contain more protein than pork and eggs, with low levels of fat and elevated levels of healthy fats like polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), according to the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. How To Find, Prepare and Store Cicadas Finding cicadas requires patience and observation. They are typically found in areas with abundant vegetation, and their emergence can be observed around and after sunset. Nymphs, teneral cicadas, and mature adults can all be found during different stages of their life cycle Before harvesting cicadas, it's crucial to consider safety measures to avoid contamination and ensure freshness. Cicadas can be stored in the freezer for up to a year, and they should be de-winged and blanched before cooking to remove any dirt or pathogens. Cicada & Seafood Boil Recipe: A Unique Twist on a Classic Favorite Are you ready to take your seafood boil to the next level? Dive into this unconventional yet delicious recipe that incorporates the unexpected addition of cicadas, giving your meal a truly memorable touch. Adapted from a trusted source, this recipe promises a feast for the senses that will have everyone coming back for more... or at least talking about it! Ingredients:

• 2 lemons, halved
• 1 medium sweet onion, quartered
• 2 serrano chiles, split in half lengthwise and seeds and membranes removed
• 1 head garlic, peeled and halved
• 1 bunch fresh thyme, tied with string
• 1 cup seafood seasoning (such as Old Bay®)
• 3 teaspoons kosher salt, or more to taste
• 3 bay leaves
• 1.5 pounds medium red potatoes, cut in half
• 3 (13 ounce) packages smoked kielbasa sausage, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 3 ears sweet corn, halved
• 30 littleneck clams, scrubbed
• 2 pounds jumbo shrimp, deveined, tail on
• 1 pound cicadas (roughly 200) newly hatched or adults

Directions:

1. Fill a very large stockpot fitted with a basket insert with about 4 quarts of water, or about a third full.
2. Squeeze lemons into the water, tossing the halves in too. Add the onion, chiles, garlic, thyme, seafood seasoning, kosher salt, and bay leaves; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Stir potatoes into the pot and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Add the sausage and corn; cook another 5 minutes, making sure everything stays covered with the liquid.
5. Add the clams and boil until they open, about 8 minutes. Toss in shrimp and shut off the heat. Cover the pot and let shrimp steep in the flavor for 10 minutes, adding the cicadas in the last 5 minutes (press them into the liquid).
6. Serve as-is in a bowl, or drain and spread the cicadas, shrimp, sausage, clams, corn, potatoes, and onion out on a newspaper-covered table or on three large serving trays.
7. Sprinkle with a dusting of Old Bay or provide for individual use.

This Cicada and Seafood Boil recipe is a crowd-pleaser that's sure to spark conversation and delight taste buds. Embrace the cicada craze and give this unique dish a try at your next gathering. Enjoy!

REFERENCES

https://site.extension.uga.edu/foodscienceandtechnology/add-a-little-crunch-to-your-diet-with-cicadas-how-to-harvest-store-and-prepare-food-from-brood-xix-emergence-in-georgia/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3LW5j4mTVtHqq9PPJ3IGQCEoOZ-9z9hgjssHInWxa1GrAzd4TxRE7BVXA_aem_AXajC_ccaKIX9dvHz4mlOajFNlMCmiR2mBv9KdF-T5fATcsipMa5wWXNwGtrclQcWzbo2BPtQbGJB3eIOzt-wjYw

https://www.cicadamania.com/cicadas/category/cicada-anatomy/teneral/

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