With billions of cicadas gearing up to munch their way across numerous States, you might be pleased (or horrified) to learn that you could eat them too.
If you suffer from Entomophobia (the fear of bugs), then you might want to look away now before we get into the cicadas and their yearly habits. Though not dangerous to humans or animals, the pesky bugs can be a major annoyance for any Americans wanting to go about their day-to-day lives.
When are the cicadas emerging in 2024?
This year, Americans will be treated to Brood XIX and Brood XIII for the first time in 221 years. They will not be seen together again until 2245. While the exact date for the emergence is still unknown, experts have urged Americans to keep an eye out around mid-May.
Currently, the Brood XIX cicadas will affect Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. At the same time, Brood XIII will terrorize areas of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin.
How to eat cicadas
While you might not have previously had the urge to eat cicadas, those who have partaken have claimed its meat tastes like chicken with an added “nutty” flavor.
Cortni Borgerson, a Professor of Anthropology from Montclair University, is a passionate believer in munching on insects. In fact, they said it’s essential for sustainable living.
“Insects are an important source of food for more than two billion people on Earth, including many food cultures within the United States,” they said. “These little meats are not only a mainstream food source, they’re also a more sustainable choice than other species of livestock, which can require a lot of land, water, and feed. Embracing food diversity and incorporating insects and other traditional foods into our diets isn’t only a great way to connect with our cultures and our natural environments, it’s also a key step toward living sustainably.”
Of course, there are some rules when hunting for your next meal like not gathering cicadas to eat from near industrial waste.
“A shellfish allergy increases the likelihood that you will be allergic to cicada, so it’s better to be safe than sorry and abstain from land arthropods if you can’t eat their sea swimming cousins,” Borgerson added.
In terms of how to cook and season the cicadas, Ohio State University recommended using Old Bay seasoning before sautéing them in the pan. Serve up with leafy greens, extra virgin olive oil, and some fresh lemon juice.
If we are being completely honest, then cicadas are like most other protein sources, so go crazy in the kitchen and see what you come up with.
