8 February 2024
In southern Africa, caterpillars of the emperor moth Gonimbrasia belina (or Imbrasia belina) are regularly known as mopane worms as a result of they dinner party at the leaves of mopane timber (Colophospermum mopane). Their ultimate instar is proven above, grownup underneath.
All through my commute in southern Africa I didn’t realize the timber however their oddly formed leaves stuck my consideration.
I had no thought in their importance.
Mopane worms are prized as human meals so when the caterpillars succeed in complete dimension, girls and kids avidly pick out them off the timber, squish out their guts and take them house to boil then solar dry. When totally ready they appear to be this:
I had the chance to pattern mopane worms at Dusty Street Township Revel in, an award-winning eating place in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe the place we ate conventional meals.
What did mopane worms style love to my naive palate? Earthy. Crispy. Very earthy.
Most likely the flavour was once so earthy as a result of I ate the top first. In Zimbabwe this makes no distinction however in Botswana they take the heads off ahead of they consume them. I want I’d identified so I will have attempted it each tactics.
Be informed extra about mopane worms and tips on how to prepare dinner them on this video by way of Emmy @emmymade. She tastes them each tactics and describes their taste at 3.5 mins into the video.
(credit are within the captions)