How To Survive On Bugs

 

8 Edible bugs that could help you survive

When it comes to survival food, insects actually aren’t half bad. Here’s how to choose which edible bugs to choke down, if it comes to that.

In many parts of the world, eating bugs is commonplace. Insects are actually the most abundant protein source on the planet, and many of them boast dense concentrations of en-vogue nutrients like omega 3’s that we buy at fancy grocery stores. …………

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When in doubt

If you are ever in doubt about an insect’s edibility, cut off a tiny, cooked piece of it, swallow it, and wait a few hours. If you don’t develop any symptoms, eat a larger piece and wait again. If nothing happens, it’s probably fine.

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1. Grasshoppers and Crickets

Grasshoppers and crickets are extraordinarily protein-rich and you can collect them pretty much anywhere.

Catch them

Grasshoppers are easiest to catch in the early mornings, when they move more slowly. You can also catch crickets by hand, or you can trap them by cutting the top off of a plastic water bottle (an open Nalgene works too), burying it in the ground, and dropping in some over-ripe fruit. …………

Eat them

To prepare crickets and grasshoppers, pull off their heads and the entrails should come with. The entrails are edible, but removing them reduces the risk of parasite transmission. For this reason, always cook them before eating them. Remove the wings and legs and then dry roast them if you have a pan, or skewer them and roast over flame if you don’t.

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3. Termites

Termites are a great source of protein, and since they live most of their lives buried away in wood, they are less likely to carry parasites than other insects.

Catch them

Break open a punky log and grab them or shake them out fast. As soon as they see light, they’ll crawl deeper into the wood.

Eat them

Roast them in a dry pan.

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5. Wood Lice

Also called “sow bug”, “potato bug”, or “pill bug,” the wood louse is actually not a bug at all. It’s the only terrestrial crustacean in North America, and has a flavor that’s similar to shrimp.

Catch them

They are extremely easy to collect. Overturn rocks and logs, or sift through dead leaves, and you’re sure to find some.

Eat them

Drop them in boiling water and leave them there for a while. They can carry nematodes, so be sure they’re thoroughly cooked. When they’re done, strain the water out and eat.

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Slugs and Snails

While their flesh is benign, there’s a high enough likelihood that they’ve fed on poisonous plants or mushrooms to make eating them inadvisable. If you don’t have a choice, keep them in a container for a day so the toxin load diminishes. You can also feed them plants you know aren’t poisonous. Then be sure to cook them thoroughly.

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Article Source: Backpacker
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