Finally tried a cicada
 

Here is a link to my previous thread about this:http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthr...threadid=53721

Just wanted to let you all know that I have eaten a cicada, a raw live one.

Let me first say that the only thing you have to fight is the lifetime of psychological conditioning that teaches you that "bugs are yucky." In fact, cicadas hardly have any taste at all. The little taste they had was not in any way bad. If they were cooked and lightly seasoned they would probably be very tasty.

I know you all are going to think we are gross for eating them, but this opportunity only comes along once evey 17 years. I also think that is important to experience life and try new things.

I am sure it is full of protein, and chocolate covered ants/grasshoppers etc are a delicacy. how many would you have to have to saute and serve over rice or something?

i have a dislike of bugs, but i must applaud you in doing this. I think if i were offered the chance with a cicada I would take it, but i am afraid with the pesticides and junk they use around.. hell, I havent even seen one this year yet :(

i miss their droning noise.

You're a bigger person than I am. I am definitely one of the ones who has been psychologically conditioned to think that eating insects is yucky. You can have my share.

Uhh, a raw live one?

So you just sorta pulled one of those ugly suckers off a tree and bit into it?

Why in Gods name would you want to do something like that?

It is a once in 17 years opportunity. Plus, I was always curious about people eating them. They are actually pretty good. I ate another one yesterday.

Sounds good!

But eating them right off the tree?

Would you pull a carrot from the garden and immediately chomp down on it?

All the more power to you, but please wash the cicadas first, for your own health.

Ok, so what did it taste like? I was actually considering doing this myself, but I'm afraid the golden window of opportunity has passed. Supposedly, you're supposed to get them while they're still white and fresh out of their shells. Kinda like a soft shelled crab. I've heard they taste a little like asperagus, since all they really eat is tree sap. I have a whole bunch of recipes for them too. I think the most interesting sounding was "El Chirper Tacos".

Are the 17 yr cicadas supposed to be tastier than the 13 yr cicadas. And echoing a previous post, "You just plucked one off a tree and chowed down?" Are you any relation to the Kazinskis?

It had a very light taste, almost undectedtable. The closest thing I thought it tasted like was some sort of nut, like a peanut. I probably would not go out of my way to eat one, but anyone who can stomach the thought of eating one should give it a try.

OH MY GAWDDDD!!! You ate one of these!!!????

[IMG]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0QQClAj8T2HX6SVxviLnOSO8mthgsYRCVEtMpnkKFZJqUWzpTxg1g6oQQrzkB5PTJ6Yx9fjDsmEpeRT23AH*KmFM3leceNYtfQkRRCfzwsuo/cicada.jpg?dc=4675475906593591547[/IMG]

Kudos to you sir for trying it. I would if I lived in area they were present.

You just picked one up and chomped down on it?

Props...

Yep... it was a bit weird, but I am glad I did it.