Eating Termites

It started out as just another normal day.  We woke up, ate breakfast, got ready for the day.  Jonathan was working in the office preparing for the next day's classes and grading papers.  The kids were playing inside while I cleaned up the breakfast dishes.  

 

Termites, harvested just the night before!

For the past week, my vegetable woman was away visiting family, so I had to find other ways to get my veggies.  I knew that there were other vegetable women who visited other houses on my street, so I decided to ask my neighbor what time they came and if I could buy some tomatoes from one of them.  Micah and Rachel came along, of course.  While I was talking with my neighbor, she happened to be cooking on her charcoal stove outside.  This is common, but what was in her pot was a very different sight for Micah.  They were bugs! 

That's right, it's termite season!  Malawians LOVE to eat these protein-packed goodies.  I have not met one Malawian who doesn't like them.  So, you may ask, do we like them, too?  Well, I'll just keep telling the story.

So, I started asking questions to learn my cultural lesson for the day.  Micah was all ears as well.  I learned that termites are attracted by light at night (we had noticed this the past few nights), so can be easily harvested near an outside light, as my neighbor had done the night before.  She kept them in a bucket with a covering on top until she could tend to them in the morning.  Now, what you've all been waiting for:  step by step instructions on how to prepare termites (should I post this on Pinterest as a good recipe?).

 Step 1, kill termites.  Step 2, sun in basket.

1. First step, throw 'em in a pot heated on the stove.  This step is to kill the termites.  
2. Next sun them in a shallow layer to dry until mid-afternoon (5-7 hours or so).
3. Remove wings (aren't you glad?!)
4. Heat pan again and cook termites in a little oil and salt.
5. ENJOY!  May be eaten hot or cold.  Serve with nsima or munch on them as a snack.

You may be questioning that last step...."enjoy."  Well, Micah was just beside himself, eager to try this new activity "eating bugs."  My neighbor was delighted to provide some to try.  Although he was a bit dismayed that he had to wait all the way till after naptime, Micah came back home to wait the day for this special treat.  And here is how our taste testing went.

So sorry that most of you do not have the opportunity to run out and try this culinary adventure!  You'll just have to come visit!