Victor Sack wrote:
> Jean B. > wrote:
>
>> Victor Sack wrote:
>>> Lynn from Fargo > wrote:
>>>
>>>> 1 - What food do you regret never having tasted?
>>> Mopane worms.
>> Oh my. Now was that a "never" or an "ever"?
>
> The former. I really wanted to taste them. Here is what looks like a
> nice recipe. I posted it some years ago, in a similar thread.
>
> Victor
>
> From <http://www.bushveldonline.co.za/recipes/insects/insect1.htm>.
>
> Succulent Mopane Worms - Mopaniewurms
>
> The mopane worm is the larval stage of an emperor moth (Gonimbrasia
> belina) and feeds predominantly on mopane trees which cover vast tracts
> of land in the Northern Province. With a wingspan of up to 13,5 cm, the
> adult mopane emperor is a magnificent and conspicuously large moth that
> can cause consternation amongst the faint-hearted as it flaps around in
> a batlike manner. The moth's lifespan is numbered in days and it must
> not be distracted from its sole purpose in life - to find a mate. To
> achieve this, the male is equipped with large, feathery antennae, with
> which he can detect and trace to source over long distances, the
> delicate perfume given off by a virgin female. Moths lay batches of
> about 150 eggs on the trees in spring and after a few weeks the young
> larvae emerge and begin to feed. When mature they are as thick as a
> man's finger and about seven succulent centimetres long. Villagers
> collect the protein-rich larvae by the sackful from mopane trees, remove
> the intestines and either roast them or squash them flat and leave them
> to dry. In this form they can be stored for months.
>
> Ingredients:
> Dried mopane worms
> Tomato (sliced)
> Onions (chopped)
> butter
> chilli sauce (to taste)
> salt, pepper and garlic salt to taste
>
> Method:
> Soak mopane worms in water until soft. Fry onions in butter. Add rest of
> ingredients and cook over slow heat until tender. Serve with putu pap
> (see Caroline's recipe under BRAAI) and ice-cold mampoer (home-made
> peach-brandy).
>
> Morongwa's Putu Pap
> Morongwa se poetoepap
>
> Caroline Mohapi, a former head-matron at the Warmbaths Hospital, is
> known as Morongwa, which means angel. One of her favourite recipes is
> traditional putu pap.
>
> Ingredients:
> 2 cups water
> a pinch of salt
> 3-4 cups mealie-meal
>
> Method:
> Bring the water and salt to boil and add the mealie-meal. Reduce the
> heat to normal. Put lid on. After 3-4 minutes, stir and replace lid.
> Leave for more or less 10 minutes until it is well-cooked. Serve as a
> side-dish with a braai or enjoy if for breakfast with fresh milk and
> sugar.

I think I'd be happier eating first and being told second. That's
kind-of silly, given that many peoples eat insects, worms, and such.

--
Jean B.