Recent posts mentioned the 17 year cycle cicadia emergence as a potential source of food. An Indiana man ate 250 saute'd in butter and suffered a sever allergic reaction. Collecting and eating 'squirmy- nasty things' makes for good video. In a real situation such a reaction could be fatal. Once again, food isn't that high an immediate priority. We all have our gourmet kit rations. In any case, I think interupting a 17 year old's first date very unsporting <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

In any case, I think interupting a 17 year old's first date very unsporting (Chris Kavanaugh)

...And perhaps inviting bad karma. The Fates have a wicked sense of humor.

By the same token, if he doesn't get that first "date", he will never know what he is missing.

Bountyhunter <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

<img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />Just an Additional Observation.

Nature Feasts on such Occassional Bounty. (Including of Cicadas by Many Animals). And We can Too! (Provided of course, that they are Not Poisonous and Such!).

Brown Bears Grabbing Up the Salmon!, -Immeadiately Comes to Mind as an Example!

They Don't Happen to be Concerned About Any First Dates! <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> [color:"black"] [/color] [email]Chris Kavanaugh[/email]

Ditto the Question and Comments I've Raised / Made on our Other "Campfire Forum", (Cicadas Thread), concerning "Where are my / Your Cicadas?!" I again so Pose it here.

Cincy's Apparently've Got Them. My Area Appears yet to Have Not. (I'm certainly Well Within the Eastern U.S. Cicada Area).

So What is either the Status, or Non-Status, of Cicada Outbreaks, in your Area?

Rather than Re-Write the Main Points of that here, -Refer Back to my Other Cicada Post & Thread, on our Other Major Forum, -for More Information on This.

How are Cicadas in Your Area?! Where Are, -or Are Not, -our Cicadas? [color:"black"] [/color] [email]ScottRezaLogan[/email]

Let me know if anyone is brave enough to try this. The family usually puts up with my unusual food recipes (Stalking the Wild Asparagus is one of my favorite books), but they have firmly put their foot (or would that be feet?) down on this one.

*Disclaimer: the University of Maryland does not advocate eating cicadas without first consulting with your doctor. While many people do eat cicadas, there is no guarantee that they are safe for every person to eat. As with all foods, it is possible that certain individuals will have allergic reactions to substances within the cicada.

Before You Begin

Who to Cook: Newly hatched cicadas, called tenerals, are considered best for eating because their shells have not hardened. It is best to collect these in the very early hours of the morning, just after they have emerged but before they have time to climb up out reach. The best way to do this is to simply go outside with a brown paper bag and start scooping them in. You can cook with them immediately, or refrigerate them (they will remain alive but will mature much more slowly) or freeze them.

Keep in mind that freezing will work best for those that you are going to roast, as the consistency of the cicada may change and make them inappropriate for dishes that call for fresh cicadas. If you are unable to get any tenerals, then mature females are the next best thing. Adult males have very hollow abdomens and will not be much of a mouthful, but the females are filled with fat. Just be sure to remove all the hard parts, such as wings and legs, before you use the adults. These parts will not harm you, but they are also not very tasty.

Soft-Shelled Cicadas

Ingredients:
1 cup Worcestershire sauce
60 freshly emerged 17-year cicadas
4 eggs, beaten
3 cups flour
Salt and pepper to season the flour
1 cup corn oil or slightly salted butter

Directions:
Marinate cicadas alive in a sealed container in Worcestershire sauce for several hours. (Note: You can skip this step and go directly to the egg step instead.)
Dip them in the beaten egg, roll them in the seasoned flour and then gently sauté until they are golden brown.

--Chris

Thanks for your Information there!, Saunterer. [color:"black"] [/color] [email]Saunterer[/email]