A tasty Mexican treat: fried grasshoppers. A speciality of the Oaxaca region, found in abundance on the zocalo in Oaxaca. Sounds grim, but tastes good! Really.

Some recipes for the preparation of these tasty critters:

Recipe #1: Chapulines on skewers
You will need:

  • About 2 Dozen "Chapulines" with heads attached (the heads are the crunchiest, tastiest part!)
  • 2 Skewers
  • Stick of butter (quartered)
  • 5 Cloves of minced garlic
  • Foil
  • Seasoned salt
  • Pepper

  • Preparation: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Clean and gut each grasshopper. Place on skewer. Cut enough foil to fit 6 skewers. Mix garlic and butter. 1/4 mixture and place in each pack. Add seasoned salt and pepper to taste. Close packs and place in oven or on grill for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from heat and serve warm.

    Recipe #2: Chapulines in tortillas
    You will need:

  • 16.7 oz. (500 g) chapulines or grasshoppers
  • Olive Oil
  • 1 medium lime
  • 10 small tortillas
  • "Pasilla" chili sauce or Mole if you can find it

  • Preparation: Fry the grasshopers lightly and pour the lime juice over them. Heat tortillas in a flat pan, fill with the fried grasshoppers and serve with sauce.