Would you like a cicada salad? The monstrous little noisemakers descend on a New Orleans menu
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — As the nation prepares for trillions of red-eyed bugs known as periodical cicadas to emerge, it’s worth noting that they’re not just annoying, noisy pests — if prepared properly, they can also be tasty to eat.
Blocks away from such French Quarter fine-dining stalwarts as Antoine’s and Brennan’s, the Audubon Insectarium in New Orleans has long served up an array of alternative, insect-based treats at its “Bug Appetit” cafe overlooking the Mississippi River. “Cinnamon Bug Crunch,” chili-fried waxworms, and crispy, cajun-spiced crickets are among the menu items.
Periodical cicadas stay buried for years, until they surface and take over a landscape. Depending on the variety, the emergence happens every 13 or 17 years. This year two groups are expected to emerge soon, averaging around 1 million per acre over hundreds of millions of acres across parts of 16 states in the Midwest and South.
Related articles
China news: President Xi Jinping reveals vision to change world
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here2024-04-20Christopher Luxon, Winston Peters and David Seymour to finally meet
Photo: RNZ2024-04-202028 total solar eclipse in New Zealand likely big tourism drawcard, astronomer says
A diagram showing the expected path in New Zealand of a total solar eclipse on 22 July 2028. Photo:2024-04-20Woman dies after ambulance takes hour to respond to emergency call
By Mariné Lourens of2024-04-20Israel scraps visit after US allows passage of Gaza ceasefire resolution
US President Joe Biden and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv in October 2023. Pho2024-04-20
atest comment