CHESTERFIELD, Mo. — How do you like cicadas prepared? Do you like them sautéed or deep fried?
Folks can learn how to cook cicada-centric dishes this Friday at the Butterfly House in Chesterfield.
The Bug Chef will teach guests how to incorporate them into culinary dishes, cicada scampi and spicy deep-fried cicada.
Due to high demand, the Butterfly House will not offer cicada tastings during the demonstrations, but guests can try other insect-based snacks and take cicada recipe cards home.
The demonstrations will occur on May 24 at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Seating is limited to a first-come, first-serve basis.
“Our goal in cooking insects is not to convert everyone to an insect-centric diet, but to show people that there are other options available,” the Bug Chef said.
“If a few people have a more open mind about trying new foods or changing the way they look at what they eat, then that is a win.”
Roughly 80% of the world’s countries cook with insects such as fried caterpillars in South Asia and grasshopper tacos in Mexico, according to the Butterfly House.
The U.S. is in the minority for incorporating insects into diets.
“Americans eat many close relatives to insects already without a second thought,” the Bug Chef said.
“Water bugs which are a fixture of special occasions in other countries are just closely related to lobsters, shrimp and crabs. In fact, if you are allergic to shellfish, you are likely also allergic to cicadas or crickets.”
Some benefits of eating insects include:
- Edible insects are nutritious and healthy
- They have a relatively low impact on the environment
- They can be raised in areas where traditional farming is not possible
- They are surprisingly tasty
For more information, visit the Butterfly House’s website.