Edible Bugs That Could Save You In A Pinch
Edible bugs? We’re one of the few nations on earth where eating bugs are seen as taboo. As we move into the future, we may not have that option if we keep treating our environment the way we do. But today we’re not here to discuss something so serious. Instead, we’ll be talking about bugs you can eat in a pinch in a survival situation that is common in Florida.
Grasshoppers and Crickets
Grasshoppers and crickets are extraordinarily protein-rich, and you can collect them pretty much anywhere. Most types of grasshoppers and crickets are edible. If you’re reading this from home, you can try a store-bought food product called cricket powder, or cricket flour. Cricket powder is very high in protein, has similar baking properties to regular flour, and has a slightly nutty flavor. If you do decide to go wild, remember: They can carry nematodes, so remember to cook them before you eat them.
Ants
Capture as many as you can, putting them straight into the water so that they drown while you catch more. Once you’ve caught a sizeable portion, boil them for about six minutes. This will neutralize the acid in their bodies. If you have to eat them raw, just make sure they’re dead first so they don’t bite you.
Grubs
When someone says “grub,” they’re typically referring to the larval stage of a beetle. There are over 344 grub species consumed around the globe, including the witchetty grub in Australia, palm weevil grubs in some Asian countries, giant water bugs in North America, and mopane worms in Africa. Some of them are small and crunchy, like mealworms, and some are fat and juicy, like rhinoceros beetle larva.
These guys you just impale on a stick, roast for a few minutes until crispy, and then eat. Yum!
