Random Ramblings

Random Ramblings: Personal observations on a wide variety of subjects. Photographs of creatures and things that are taken on seeing the unusual as well as everyday things.

Why not … eat insects

I was fascinated to learn that it was once popular to eat insects in Britain. In fact, it is still possible to purchase a small but useful book that was written by Vincent M Holt in the 1800’s. For those who like to read interesting little books, this one contains just 99 pages. It is called ‘WHY NOT EAT INSECTS?’ The ISBN number is: 0946014124 – it is still in print and readily available for purchase.

There are all sorts of recipes that are bordering, to say the very least, on the unusual – from wasp grubs fried in the comb to wireworm or woodlouse sauce – the latter two obviously not insects. The knowledge of eating safe pests has been gathered over the years from various countries spanning the globe.

Why Not Eat Insects

Why Not Eat Insects - book openLittle book ‘Why Not Eat Insects?’ 

The little book also mentions other things that may be considered for the pot – one being snails or slugs. These apparently have to be pulled from the garden and starved for several days. This then allows them to purge their systems of anything poisonous in case they may have eaten something that would or could prove to be dangerous to us!

9 comments:

Mrs. Mecomber said...

Funny!

Er, or maybe you didn't intend to be funny?

Bugs, ummmm... I guess if I was hungry enough, I would. And chocolate. They'd have to be covered in lots and lots of chocolate! :D

Nessa said...

My parents ate worms from the Sago palm tree. And they were huge worms! Now it's so scarce because of over-development of the land. It's sorta like a delicacy now but I don't dare to eat it.

Sago Worms

Grampy said...

That would come in handy if you were lost in the woods.After a couple of days food is food.

Nick Phillips (15/03/1967 - 04/11/2022) said...

I have in the past had my mouth open and swallowed a fly or two ... LOL!

Samantha G said...

I always see Andrew Zimmern eating bugs and all kinds of things on his show- it definitely makes me not worry quite as much about finding a random grub or other bug in my salads! :)

Ann said...

Oh my, maybe if I didn't know what it was I could eat it but no way would I volunteer to try any of these dishes.

BK said...

Eating insects? I think I just prefer the normal foods. :)

Anonymous said...

I knew you could eat bugs, something my father has taught me, but I have yet to actually brave to eat one .. ick! I guess I would if I were stuck in the wilderness and had no choice!

Unknown said...

The only problem with eating insects, is due to the fact that the legs thereof, may intrigue me in the teeth and a toothpick so it would fit, still, I think it still has not been created ...;)