GOT an appetite for exotic food? Mindanao State University’s Insect Eating Festival is not for the fainthearted. Get ready for entomophagy – the practice of eating insects.
The food fest, held on April 6 at MSU’s CHARM Pavilion, is now on its 8th year. It is organized by the University’s College of Agriculture. It aims to promote the culture of insect-eating in the country. Cultivating the culture will then promote the practice of catching and eating insects that plague agricultural crops.
If you think eating insects is weird, there are over 1,200 species of insects that are eaten by people from many parts of the world. They are eaten raw, picked, fried, and many other ways.
However, the take of MSU’s College of Agriculture is to chow down pests that harm agricultural crops and thus promote safe ways to protect the plants.
“For crop protection, instead of spraying chemical pesticides [on the crops], we eat [the pests] instead,” said Dr. Emma Mituda-Sabado, coordinator of the event and resident entomologist of the College.
The eating of insects, instead of using chemical sprays, will not only provide an extra dish on the dining table. One can also prevent lasting environmental damage and will make agricultural produce less susceptible to toxicity. The practice will also be beneficial to one’s budget, instead of purchasing costly pesticides.
The food fair featured delicacies prepared by the students of the College of Agriculture. They served your usual favorite desserts and snacks – with a twist: Super worms for an extra punch in the flavor. – and the health benefits!
Some of the food displayed are Macaworms (Macaroons with super worms), Insecto de Manioca, brownies with super worms, mocha cake with super worms, baked macaroni with super worms, green mangos and shrimp paste infused with super worms, Pancit ala Super Worm, Lumpy Wormy (Spring rolls with super worms filling), and wormy ice cream – all presented to make your mouth water.
Well, except for the tiny worms that decorate the dishes as toppings. You might cringe a little at first sight, but minus the thought, the displayed foods are really scrumptious.
As wiggly as it sounds, I personally had a hard time getting a plate of these treats because of so many people who lined up to taste these unique foods.
Edible insects are packed with loads of protein, amino acids, phosphorus, iron, and other vitamins and minerals. They also have less fat compared to other food such as beef.
After harnessing enough courage, I tried to eat one whole fried super worm (gulp). It tastes like chicken – just subtract the image of the squirming bug in your mouth and you will be fine. It was very crispy and tasted quite meaty.
For the sensitive ones, I would advise that if you really want to try eating an insect, just swallow quickly and chew immediately. Try to avoid the many legs of the worms to brush your tongue at least until you finish chewing completely. I didn’t like the feel of their legs in my mouth at first either (chuckles).
Other edible insects are grubs found in coconuts, grasshoppers, and larvae of moths, bees, wasps, some species of ants, crickets, and cicadas, among others.
The food fest also featured a pageant, quiz show, and the much awaited live insect eating contest.
Ten men and women competed on who is the fastest in finishing the squirming super worms in their cups. Some of the audience cringed at the sight of the contestants raising the bottom of their cups to chew down the moving insect while some still cheered – or jeered.
So go green now and grab a bite of these delightful insects! Don’t saw ‘eww’, say ‘yum!’