Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago · 2 min. reading time · ~100 ·

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Bugs for Dinner, Anyone?

Bugs for Dinner, Anyone?

Last night I watched a show about people going to Restaurants which served bugs in various ways on The Nat Geo Channel last night. I admit, I've never tried anything bug that I'm aware of. It appears bugs are gaining popularity as the newest of proteins or at least some Chefs and/or Restaurants are promoting bugs and other foods as socially acceptable- dishes many of us would either shy away from or turn our heads with the hopes of not vomiting after seeing a deep fried Spiders as one example. 

I thought I was fairly open to trying many different types of cuisines until I watched this show. I don't think you could pay me to try some of the food others were eating. If you've eaten fried Tarantula, please share! 


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Other items popular on menus that serve bugs included cockroaches, silkworm pupae, crickets, scorpions, grasshoppers (Oh yum, the legs... the legs... ) and many more bugs we wouldn't even pick up let alone eat. Maybe some of you would eat them or have? 

This article showcases some popular items eaten by Country. Check out the 'cheese, stink bugs and icecream.' 

Another item that seems to be popular in Japan and considered a delicacy are fish sperm sacs, I wonder if Dean Owen has tried these? 

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The photo above from the article 33 Bizzare (and disgusting meals) People Actually Eat Across The Globe. Be sure to check it out, I think you might be surprised or feel sick after reading this and seeing the photos. No offense to anyone who does eat any of the food items listed. 

If you haven't checked out the links please watch the video below. I was shocked when I saw this. I had no idea people eat live Octopus!  They have numerous tentacles that are working quite well when it goes into the person's mouth. People have choked to death on live Octopus because of the tentacles sticking while they are swallowing. No worries, the video does now show a person choking on Octopus. 


I thought I was fairly open to eating new foods but I'm a big Wuss in comparison to those who've tried the many bugs and Octopus I've noted above. I've tried sushi, fried frogs legs, oysters, rabbit, (sorry my rabbit loving friends), alligator and possibly bugs that crawled into my food that I wasn't aware of. Please, share your food stories. I want to hear what you have tried that others may find revolting. We have many cultures on beBee so I'm sure some of what I listed may be very acceptable and tasty among some cultures and I would love to hear more about your experiences with foods that some of us fear eating. I heard Guinea pig is a very popular meat in Peru and I don't think I could ever try that either. 

For some reason I'm feeling a bit buggy right now! 

Header photo courtesy of google images 

Video courtsey of YouTube 


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#Nat Geo Channel #Octopus #Dinner #Tarantula #Chefs
Comments

Lisa Gallagher

6 years ago #69

#100
I give you credit for trying. I bet pigeon does taste like garbage!

Lisa Gallagher

6 years ago #68

#97
#98 I had no idea anyone served whale steaks? I had to look it up because it's not legal to serve it in the US but in some countries it is. I read they aren't allowed to season it though, is that true? Awe, I couldn't eat a cute little puffin LOL. I would have never guessed whale looks like beef, interesting! Don't ask what happened to Jimmy Hoffa... LMAO, good one!! Sounds like an interesting book. I have French roots, maybe that's why strange foods capture me? ;-)

Lisa Gallagher

6 years ago #67

#95
You've tried more than me! I've never had ostrich or pheasant. I suppose I could have pheasant the next time my son in law goes bird hunting. I guess it tastes pretty good when he's done cooking it. I bet we've all had bugs unknowingly in our meals (particularly the type that fly into food during a picnic?) LOL!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #66

#93
shark is called requin in French? Jaws, that gave me a good chuckle. I've never tried shark.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #65

#91
haha, gator tagine, now that might taste very different. I wish I could remember the name of the dish, I will have to ask my friend. However, Lamb tagine sounds extremely good- I looked up the recipe and I'm going to make it this week, so thank you!! :))

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #64

#87
#88 #89 Lamb Tangine, sounds familiar but I think I made the dish with ground meat and there wasn't dried apricot in it. However, it was very similar to Lamb Tangine and it was served on top of couscous. Head to Florida one day, you wont have a problem finding gator on the menu ;-) As for the gator in my yard and my free meals... that's funny!!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #63

#85
That's interesting. I wonder why they are increasing as a nuisance in other's yards now? Agree.. lunchtime sistah or brother if your in my yard! We were driving back to our Condo one evening in Myrtle beach and traffic was stopped. They had an Ambulance and EMT's working on an alligator that was hit by a car. I never saw a sight like that before. I was glad it wasn't a person.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #62

#83
I found it tasted very good too. Just glad I don't have gators strolling through my yard LOL

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #61

#79
I forgot to mention, I thought my friend told me it was at dusk but I couldn't remember. He is from Morocco and mentioned food they were eating during Iftar and it sounded so good I asked for the recipe. I told him that I revised it a bit and he said that was a big no-no... I asked why, and he said because it was his mom's original recipe LOL. I must say it was tasty. I forget what it was called. Meat with cinnamon, raisins and other ingredients. I need to find the recipe!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #60

#79
I may have to try camel meat if I ever get a chance to sometime Arnab Ghosh! I think many adults stop drinking milk, maybe because we had to drink it daily when growing up? I use coconut milk in my coffee and for cooking now. I was using half and half but decided to get away from Milk to see if that helps some digestive issues ;) I had a friend who gave her baby goats milk because he was highly allergic to cows milk. He did very well on it. Does Camel's milk and Goat's milk taste similar? I would love to travel to Dubai one day, I've seen so many beautiful photos of Dubai!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #59

#77
Someone below described the texture like that of cow and turkey combined. I think the only thing that comes close to tasting like chicken is duck.. and it takes like thigh meat. I would try it!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #58

#75
Maybe we will have to meet up one day and 'brave' it Laura Mikolaitis. We might not need to brave it after having wine AND bourbon haha

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #57

#72
Very interesting Arnab Ghosh! Actually, it sounds quite tender the way you describe Camel meat. Does Iftar occur at dusk or just after dusk? Camel meat burgers, sounds interesting. It's odd... I think I could try Camel but not horse meat for some reason. I read once that Camel milk does have more nutrients, does it have a gamey taste? I'm sure some day we will hear that cows milk was never good for us. So many people have health issues from cows milk. I used to drink cows milk a lot when I was a teen and I had stomach aches all the time. I haven't had milk in years (find other sources for calcium now) and no more issues like I used to have. Some people turn to goats milk, or they are drinking the milk of nuts now and not sure that's equivalent to drinking real milk. I bet the chocolates are tasty! Dubai looks beautiful and it appears to be growing a lot! Thanks for sharing, very interesting!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #56

#71
"Put the power of NOW into practice." That's great advice Arnab Ghosh! That is what they were actually show-casing on Nat Geo, the culinary skills of the Chefs and I was amazed how many people were maybe a tad hesitant to try but they did and I didn't see many people making faces of dislike. Thanks!

Ali Anani

7 years ago #55

#64
I have never eaten camels' meat Lisa \ud83d\udc1d Gallagher , but people who eat it say it is lovely.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #54

#56
Laura Mikolaitis, I meant to congratulate you on becoming a beBee Brand Ambassador!!!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #53

#62
I do love deep fried chicken! It's a good thing I don't have a fryer or I might get used to making too many fried foods which my stomach can't handle well ;-)

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #52

#61
I have to agree @Mohammed Sultan, there are always shifts/changes in diet over time. Healthy eating is becoming more of a norm as Science is able to provide more factual data on what we eat vs. what we shouldn't be eating. If bugs are healthy (which they seem to be from what many say) I did hear the trend may be to incorporate ground bugs into protein bars and more. Some Countries already do this, I don't think the US has approved it yet. They use ground bugs in chips and it wasn't possible to tell they were in them unless one read the ingredients. Thanks for your input, appreciated!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #51

#60
Glad you enjoyed debasish majumder!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #50

#57
I think it's best you didn't know what you were eating \ud83d\udc1d Fatima Williams, well at least that's my opinion. I've read many in other cultures do eat such foods for the health benefits. Frog legs, remind me... I forget but I do like them!!! :))

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #49

#30
I wonder what Camel tastes like Ali Anani? I mean in comparison to? Is it more tender than beef? Of course we don't have access to Camel meat in the US. Lizards, I guess depending on the type.. maybe taste stronger but similar to frog legs? I could be wrong lol. Yes, everyone's taste buds differ as do our brains and perceptions of foods. Thanks Ali!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #48

#56
Maybe one day we will get brave enough to try Laura Mikolaitis? With a large glass of wine or bourbon proceeding?!

🐝 Fatima G. Williams

7 years ago #47

#58
None taken :) I did enjoy it until I knew what I had eaten haven't had it since. I had tried throwing up it never worked. My mum and dad had a good laugh watching us squeal .

Devesh 🐝 Bhatt

7 years ago #46

#57
no offense intended, but friends can really throw a surprise after the dish is eaten. The surprise was more than a mouthful.

🐝 Fatima G. Williams

7 years ago #45

#1
Devesh Bhatt once. It is a unborn baby lamb supposedly killed while it's still a fetus. It's believed to be healthy for pregnant women and also beneficial for people with tuberculosis or back pain. I remember enjoying it just once before I discovered what I ate. Haven't had it ever since. Lisa \ud83d\udc1d Gallagher I had told you about the frog eating episode I guess. But I am very interested to try anything that doesn't crawl. BUGS & spiders a big NO NO.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #44

Thanks for sharing Donna-Luisa Eversley! It appears a few others did too but I don't see the names so, thank you to everyone who shared.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #43

#47
I have to give Remi credit for trying the Tarantula Sarah Elkins. I think it's always a good idea to expose our kids to many foods and I like the way your husband went about it! We grew up on mainly the old staples of meat, potatoes, and a vegetable. When I became an adult (and it's funny, I was just talking about this with my daughter the other day) I had an appetite for trying things I'd never had the opportunity to before. The subject came up because she is now introducing foods to her daughter and I told her she will probably offer foods she never had the opportunity to try at home since we do love to cook. I can honestly see why many cultures eat the foods that I would say 'ewe' too and understand why they love those foods, IE: Spiders, worms, cock roaches and so much more. Compared to my husband I'm more open to foods that aren't the typical cuisine. Maybe if I had a few shots of something REALLY strong I could try grasshoppers?? ;-) Thanks for sharing the video and congrats on becoming an Ambassador!!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #42

#46
Fish and chips, now that is sounding pretty good right now Bill Stankiewicz!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #41

#45
LOL , I had a buggy of a good time looking through all of the google photos of bugs people eat last night ;-) I do love watching Nat Geo, that show was quite interesting even though I'd never try those buggers. Thanks David!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #40

#44
Hi @paul kemmer I had to look up "Penguicon" It's a SciFi convention and more? Do you regret passing up the workshop, "Lets eat bugs?"

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #39

#43
I heard it's very tough jesse kaellis, it must be due to all the gristle? Hmm beaver, ok... I think I'd pass on that too haha

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #38

#42
You're a good guest Aaron Skogen, I would have to decline the octopus. I know it's not a bug, silly!! LOL. Now Kobe beef seared medium rare, yum!! I have eaten cooked octopus, even put it in spaghetti sauce on NY's Eve a few times, does that count? ;-)

Sarah Elkins

7 years ago #37

My husband discovered this Youtube star, Remi, many years ago. We watched him eat all kinds of foods and those videos inspired our boys to try things and describe what they were tasting. It was terrific, they thought more about what they liked and didn't like in that context, as opposed to "ew, that's gross!" Here's one of my favorites: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOuiOPWyUDQ

Bill Stankiewicz

7 years ago #36

No bugs for me Lisa, I will stick with fish & chips, regards, Bill Stankiewicz

David B. Grinberg

7 years ago #35

Hey, Lisa. I watch the Nat Geo Channel too. I'm glad to have missed this show because I just lost my appetite for dinner. But no worries, YOU could never bug me, being one of favorite bees and all -- even though I'm "bugging out" from those photos. Happy eating!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #34

#36
I think that's what it is Wayne Yoshida, the texture and well... they are bugs!! I've seen the and heard of Dorian fruit and I remember Andrew Zimmern trying that once too and he couldn't swallow it. Some must be more pungent than others? I heard the smell is awful. Another person tried jellyfish on the foodnetwork and couldn't swallow it, maybe it was way too tough? I thought it was the taste. I have to give you credit for trying! My daughter owned 2 guinea pigs, the last one I took to the Vet, it was dying and I cried. She was like a sweet little kitten. So, I was shocked to see they are a popular food in Peru, they even have festivals. I'm not knocking the Peruvian's because cows eg are sacred to Hindu's in India from what I remember?

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #33

#35
So you would try the live octopus Aaron Skogen? I think I could possibly stomach ground cricket within a bar but not crickets on plates or on sticks LOL. It's a much cheaper source of protein, I would imagine?

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #32

#34
LOL @fran Brizzolis!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #31

#33
Someone gave us a bear roast once jesse kaellis, I wasn't able to cook or try it. I also heard bear meat is quite tough. Never heard about the parasite issue, so glad I didn't try to cook it. We've eaten venison many times and I like it but that's where it ends for me I guess. Interesting about the baby mice, monkey brains and live frog hearts, yuck. Yes, people have strange desires or possibly a cultural norm for some? Thanks for sharing!!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #30

#32
Hi Nicole Chardenet, was it common in French Families to use certain bugs in foods? They did mention on the show that they use certain bugs in protein bars and will probably become more common. Agree, if they are moving, forget it!

Wayne Yoshida

7 years ago #29

I think adding catsup or ketchup, barbecue sauce, soy sauce (shoyu), salsa or other hot sauce would help any items like this. But texture is the "thing" for me. Weirdest thing I ate? Jellyfish at a Chinese restaurant (it is a cold salad). Tasty, but too chewy. Not for me. And durian - the fruit that smells like rotten flesh. That was also in a salad. Taste was OK, but the smell is horrible, not a favorite. Guinea pig -- cuyes -- is served in Peru and other places. But I think they are too cute to eat, right Aurorasa Sima?

Fran 🐝 Brizzolis

7 years ago #28

This post can't not read or see by spiderman parents!!!....

Fran 🐝 Brizzolis

7 years ago #27

It look like a real spider!!!.... Jajaja

Ali Anani

7 years ago #26

I wonder how much our habits of eating influence our tastes Lisa \ud83d\udc1d Gallagher. You know army soldiers are trained to eat all sorts of things like lizards so that if they are cut off food supplies they would find something to eat. Sometimes, survival overcomes our constraints on what to eat. In some countries people prefer camel meat to beef. How we select what we eat and when and what to eat is an interesting thing to study further.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #25

#28
You may be on to something!

Devesh 🐝 Bhatt

7 years ago #24

#22
you could have your own show showing the method of making it the traditional way, usually such dishes have a traditional way. Quite different from restaurant short cuts.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #23

#26
, speaking of cake, did you see the icecream listed in the article above that I linked? It has fish in it and other ingredients lol.

Liesbeth Leysen, MSc.

7 years ago #22

#23
we can do it, just see them as a piece of cake ;-) Lisa \ud83d\udc1d Gallagher, it is pure fun.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #21

#14
That's the extent of my bug eating too Pascal Derrien, mouth open, something flies in and down it goes. I would agree, I'm sure there are many who've eaten much more than what I've posted and it would be very interesting to hear their stories. Dean already pointed out that he's tried many!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #20

#17
You are brave too Stephane \ud83d\udc1d Fenner, I want to see photos when you try it!! I'd love to hear what some of these buggers taste like. Stink bugs though??? Ah, I couldn't.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #19

#16
You brave , I might need a few drinks or 10 to try some of these things LOL

Dean Owen

7 years ago #18

#18
Not too fond of Rocky Mountain Oyster. You do need to try geoduck, or penis shaped clam as you call it. Delicious with black bean sauce! That Andrew Zimmerman guy seemed to love everything he ate. Would love to do a show like that. Dream job!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #17

#20
Thats a good point about insects being delicacies for the poor and now that they've become popular by demand people can't afford to eat something that was probably very cheap or easy to find.

Devesh 🐝 Bhatt

7 years ago #16

I figure if the rich eat greens and the poor eat meat, economically and health wise we can solve a lot of problems. Its just a thought, It should not be an imposition. Imagine this, many insects are nutritious delicacies for the poor, soon they have a demand and are exported, the poor cannot match the price.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #15

#13
Oh I misunderstood your story Devesh Bhatt, holy cow (no pun intended) they served dog puke? Ok, hold on... I think I'm going to puke.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #14

#12
I had a feeling you probably tried Shirako Dean Owen. That actually was the least gross looking and sounding to me in contrast to some of the other items. So, have you tried Rocky Mountain Oysters too? I have to admit when Andrew Zimmern had his show, I was enamored with it. I remember him trying some clam that looked like a penis (sorry but it did LOL). As for the live Octopus, ICK, ICK!!! haha Did you eat the grasshoppers?

Liesbeth Leysen, MSc.

7 years ago #13

why not, let us give it a try

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #12

#11
Oh dear....... I know eating dog is just as culturally acceptable in some countries just like eating Cow is in the West. I can't imagine eating a dog since we've always had them as pets.

Pascal Derrien

7 years ago #11

I have never ate a bug actually it has happened that I have swallowed a fly or two on a bike ride but I am pretty sure some guys from more exotic locations on the platform have more telling stories :-)

Devesh 🐝 Bhatt

7 years ago #10

Puke and served it as a vegetarian dish. Well I thought he was joking, 2 weeks later I saw a guy twirling a dog by holding one leg, my stomach turned inside out. Surprisingly, the dogs are used to the exercise, its usually the same dogs. And yes they eat dogs.

Dean Owen

7 years ago #9

I love shirako, or fish sperm sacks as you call them. Superb in tempura batter. Yum, and creamy! Those live octopus are pretty cool too. The texture of the flesh changes the minute they die. Insects? I was confronted with a plate of grasshoppers just a few weeks ago in Guanxi.

Devesh 🐝 Bhatt

7 years ago #8

I had a so called vegetarian rice dish in the State of Nagaland. I ended up there because their regimental headquarters were established in a place called Ranikhet. I was a vegetarian then, contrary to the customs of my region. I enjoyed eating the dish and I like to cook so I asked him. This you won't find in programs -- they fed a dog with all the ingredients, waited for 30 minutes, then hung the dog by one leg and made it swirl , waited for it to

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #7

#8
Texture and the psyche of many. I still don't understand how anyone can eat a live Octopus? Omg, it's disgusting and actually a bit scary to watch considering people have choked on them.

Lyon Brave

7 years ago #6

No, thank you! I could never get over the texture of crickets.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #5

#6
I see a lot of my daughter's friends becoming vegans or vegetarians. She said she won't. Kudos to them, they seem to be happy with their lifestyle change. I just heard the term Pescatarian the other day! That was a new one to me :)

Devesh 🐝 Bhatt

7 years ago #4

#3
I looked up Natgeo, I believe they have already tried it in a program called Taboo.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #3

#2
Hi Aurorasa Sima, I'm sure there are people who would have no problem eating much of what I listed. Me, I couldn't. I bet bugs will become more popular with Vegans in the US since they are growing in numbers.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #2

#1
I had to look up kutti pi Devesh Bhatt, ewe... goat fetus! Andrew Zimmern would probably love it ;-)

Devesh 🐝 Bhatt

7 years ago #1

There is a dish called kutti pi, an Anglo Indian dish, its worse than the buggy feeling , I accidentally got to taste one. Doesn't look like a bug but its an eye opener, always find out what you are eating, something's can slip in on the sly.

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