Coin Bug Crackers and Pearl Centipede Skewers Leftovers

 Have you had your fill of insects, Dungeon Meshi Maniacs?  I will admit that splitting the Bug Cooking chapter into two parts means that you're seeing double, four bug related posts.  That could be seen as a bit extreme.  Especially if eating bugs is something that you just cannot find palatable.

As a resident omnivore slime I freely admit that I have no issue eating insects (as proven by last week's post....kinda) but I get the trepidation.  In the USA we aren't used to seeing insects as a food source. Only as pests to be EXTERMINATED!  Or, worse, insects are something to fear.  As covered earlier, I'm no stranger to seeing another person throw a well intended...I hope well intended...freak out over an innocent bug's presence.

 Trust me, though. Bugs are our multieye friends! Our SUPER DELICIOUS multieye friends.  Sure they eat our crops and garbage but only because our crops and garbage are yummy.  Most people eat crops and garbage daily!  So where's the judgement.  Because insects eat good things that makes them taste good.  Take it from Senshi.

Let's take the mighty grasshopper.  While small a grasshopper is full of protein.  They actually have a higher protein content than chickens or eggs!  That's why the exercise community uses grasshopper powder like I used last week. It's a great way to kick up the protein levels of any baked good or smoothie.  The best are toasted grasshoppers. Hard to find but worth the effort.

So, we now all agree that insects are awesome foods.  Where does all this stigma come from?  First, people equate insects with being dirty.  They fly around and eat just about anything.  However, the same could be said about pigs.  Except the flying part.

Pigs literally roll around in dirt and, given the right circumstances, will and have eaten humans.  Don't kid yourself, Billy. If a pig had the chance it'd eat you and everyone you've ever cared about!  Pigs just have better PR than grasshoppers, is all.

Second, and far worse, is a social stigma.  Eating bugs=being poor in a lot of minds.  To the point that extremist nutjobs have to make up conspiracy theories that "da Gov'ment" is going to take all the burgers away and make you eat insects.  That's not happening and anyone that tells you that does not have your best interests at heart.  Eating anything should not be tied to perceived economic success.  A good food is a GOOD FOOD!  End of story.  Remember, people in this country used to think lobster was a "poor person" food to the point entire settlements nearly starved rather than eat it.  Now it's one of the most expensive things on the menu!

Sorry, I know I've used two non-Dungeon Meshi images.  They are some of my favorite gags of all time.  Sue me. We'll...please don't. I don't know any good lawyers.  

So eat insects or don't eat insects.  It's entirely your choice.  I would recommend being open minded when it comes to food sources.  Especially ones that could actually help the environment in the long run.  It causes a lot less damage to the ecosystem to raise some grasshoppers for consumption than a single cow.  But if you still don't feel like eating insects, no worries!  What you eat should be your own choice.  And always be happy with what you eat.

Okay, DMM's, we are finally done with eating and cooking insects!  Come back next time for an even harder challenge.  We are going to be cooking G...G...G...Ghosts!