Insect Hawkers! Entomophagy! Try it! Elsie Gabriel

Insect Hawkers!

The anthropologist in me kicks in each time I visit Thailand. This time let me introduce you to the Insect Hawkers!

Elsie Gabriel

Entomophagy! Ever heard of it, well if you haven’t you will be glad you heard about it here first! And if you have, well at the end of my blog just remember to share your views in my comment box and I’l chew them for all they are worth.
Well, Entomophagy is the consumption of insects as food. The eggs, larvae, pupae and adults of certain insect species have been eaten by Humans since prehistoric times and continue to be an item of the human diet in modern times. Insects are eaten by many animals, but this term is generally used to refer to human consumption of insects; animals that eat insects are known as insectivores. There are also some species of carnivorous plants that derive nutrients from insects.
Now that you know let me tell you, all over Thailand you have street markets, beach markets and roadside stalls which have numerous vendors selling insects. They are considered a delicacy and nutritious. 

Now….Don’t go aaghhhh….I tried some of the grasshoppers in Krabi Islands, they were crispy and crunchy, I washed them down with some coconut punch and vola……I’am now a entomophores! Oh whatever that means…
Scientifically lets look at this food item which is such a delicacy. I simply couldn’t resist. Of course the Thais are not the first to sell insects as street food,  it is said that Mexicans eat deep fried grasshoppers, Japanese love wasp cookies. Leaf cutter ants are considered a delicacy in Colombia, as are some caterpillars in South Africa. Closer to home you have the Bodo tribe in Assam who exist on the insect diet. Australian natives, Aborigines, have eaten many different insects throughout history. Hundreds of Aborigines would come together at the Bogong mountains to feast on Bogong moths. Dragonfly and damselfly adults are hunted for food in Bali.

And in Thailand people cook everything from water beetles to bamboo worms. Even though eating insects has often been dismissed as a cultural eccentricity, I feel you have to cultivate a taste for it. Why be a snob, just have a good look at the stalls even if you don’t bite into them and you will see that if man can eat snails and prawns you can eat insects. 

Of course the vendors only sell edible insects and they tell you that they are filled with omega 3, traditionally found in fish, but have no mercury.
See, its simple, the intense heat from the cooking process kills any bacteria or parasites. Insects have always provided a dietary supplement for Thai people living in rural areas. Today the poorer sections in many rural areas around the world still eat insects.
Don’t wait to join the Fear factor contest, just try a cockroach and tick it off your bucket lists of things to do .

 Crickets, cockroaches, beetles, bamboo worms, silk worms and ant eggs. Once prepared, all of the insect is edible but some hawkers may remove wings which can stick in the mouth or legs which can stick in the teeth. Simply sprinkle on some lemongrass, chilli or garlic sauce and you have yourself a dish.
 The insect hawkers can be found all over Thailand. 

Next time you get your self a brand new Tequila bottle ,look what’s at the bottom of it…a fat juicy larvae worm….yeahhhhhhh that’s what you’ve been having all this while, you sneaky insect eater…..or rather having all its juices…

Well, how would you like your cricket lollipop, charcoal roasted or simply stir fired?