Why not try a Mopane Worm?

Mopane worms are called phane in Botswana, mashonja in Zimbabwe and parts of South Africa, and omangungu in Namibia. Nutritionally they rich in protein along with good percentages of iron and calcium. Since they require little input when it comes to growing and harvesting , it has become a valuable and profitable source of food and income. Mopane worms get their English name from hanging out on Mopane trees which are prevalent in Southern Africa. They are also not worms, but caterpillars, the larvae of the Emperor Moth. The best time to harvest them is when they are at maximum plumpness, late in their larval stage and before they bury themselves in order to re-appear as an Emperor moth. The Mopane worms like the Mopane tree, but they also feed off mango trees and other bushes. Big Business Dried mopane worms have become a multimillion-dollar industry. They’re even exported from Zimbabwe to countries like South Africa and Botswana. They can be found in African restaurants in Paris. How to Cook Mopane Worms A common way to eat Mopane worms is to fry them with tomatoes, peanuts, chillies and onions, like my delicious specimen. They can also be added to a stew, boiled to soften them up, or simply eaten raw and fresh off a tree. When they're fresh, they are obviously less chewy. Recipe for Mopane Worm Stew: INGREDIENTS For 4 people • 1.5 tablespoon(s)peanut butter (optional) • 130 grams Mopane worms • 1 x 330ml can BLACK LABEL beer • 4 ripe, medium tomatoes, chopped • 2 cup(s) water • 1 medium onion, chopped • 1 teaspoon(s) hot chilli sauce • 1 pinch(es)salt and pepper • 1 tablespoon(s)oil DIRECTIONS 1. In a bowl mix together the beer and water 2. Place Mopani worms into the bowl & soak for a minimum of 4 hours 3. When worms are re-hydrated they are ready, drain, reserving 1 cup of the liquid 4. Heat the oil in a pot, add the onions & cook for 3 mins until soft 5. Add the worms, tomatoes & chilli sauce, together with half of the reserved liquid. Bring to the boil & cook for 5 minutes. Turn down heat to simmer for a further 10 minutes, stirring from time to time. Add more liquid if required 6. Season with salt & pepper. Add more chilli if required 7. Serve with pap or rice. http://www.afriqueescapades.co.za