Eating bugs: Would you dine on cicadas? Crickets? Buttered beetles?

[struggle4progress]

By Rene Lynch
May 16, 2013, 10:05 a.m.

Mmmm. Just look at that plump little cicada. Can you imagine plucking it off its leaf and popping it in your mouth? Too much? How about after it's flash fried with a little butter, garlic and sea salt? ...

"Insects as food and feed emerge as an especially relevant issue in the twenty-first century due to the rising cost of animal protein, food and feed insecurity, environmental pressures, population growth and increasing demand for protein among the middle classes" ...

You don't have to wait, you know.

Petty Cash Taqueria serves off-the-menu cricket tacos, and they're on the menu at Oaxacan restaurants such as Guelaguetza.

http://www.latimes.com/features/food/dailydish/la-dd-bugs-for-dinner-20130516,0,3578118.story

[hollysmom]

1. if we could learn to eat bugs, it would solve a lot of problems, they are high in protien.

I am just not ready to snack on that little spider in the corner.

[LancetChick]

3. I agree!

Love the idea, but the gross force is strong in me. Crunchy protein fried or covered in chocolate sounds absolutely divine... until the fact that it's bugs is revealed. I guess that makes me a BUGGIST. I wish I could unlearn my prejudice. I mean, I love shrimp, crawfish and snails, so you'd think I would be more open-minded about bugs.

[MADem]

2. Chocolate covered ants?

http://www.candyfavorites.com/candy/edible-insects

We've all eaten an insect or two, unknowingly too, but I am not going to go out of my way to be snacking on 'em...!

[GoCubsGo]

4. I would, and I have.

They're actually pretty tasty. And, anyone who has eaten a shrimp, crab, lobster, or crawdad has eaten one of their relatives.

[Granny M]

5. I'd never say never

but I'd put it off as long as I could.

[ljm2002]

6. Dry 'em, toast 'em, and grind them up...

...into protein powder. Then I would happily add them to other things (flour for bread, stock for soup, etc.).

Otherwise, no. It's not that I'm against it intellectually. I think it's a great idea. But I do not think I could bring myself to eat an identifiable insect. Too old, never did it, my reaction is too ingrained at this point.

[hollysmom]

7. actually there is already bugs in

flour pepper and other seasonings. the government has set limits on the parts per million that can be insect