Cicadas, A Marvel of Nature, Are Here Again, So… Let’s Eat!
Cicadas have started to emerge in parts of the U.S., which means it’s a good time to appreciate them and all the delicious ways they can be eaten.
By Gabe Herman · May 17, 2024
Disclaimer: While this article is crawling with facts, it’s also infested with delicious insect-flavored satire. Don’t let it bug you.
Cicadas are just starting to appear across the country, as part of their life cycles which can include years underground before emerging into the world. Missouri is among the states where this cyclical curiosity has begun to occur, and of course, many locals there are now asking the obvious question about cicadas: What are some good ways to prepare and eat them?
The Butterfly House, a zoo in Chesterfield, Missouri, near St. Louis, will hold demonstrations later this month on the preparation of cicada dishes, including spicy deep-fried cicada and cicada scampi.
Cicadas taste similar to shrimp, according to an official at the Butterfly House, and they are relatives of animals that we commonly eat, like crab, shrimp, and lobster.
"If people are eating cicadas, then they're probably not eating butterflies, so that's a win for us."
He added, “We figured why not educate people about these interesting creatures as they’re emerging now. And naturally, the thinking then goes to: Hey, now that we’ve all learned about cicadas, let’s eat them. So, offering tips for scrumptious ways to cook cicadas just seemed like the logical thing to do.”
The hungry employee continued, “Everyone knows that eating an animal is a great way to show your love for it, and humans are at the very top of the food chain, after all.”
A recent visitor, Tanya Travelli, said, “A worker at the zoo said that people in many countries eat insects, and some cultures even eat water bugs on occasion, and so why not eat them and cicadas, since we already eat their relatives like shrimp and whatnot.” She added, “Well, there’s a certain logic there, I suppose, but not enough logic for me to eat a freakin’ water bug. And cicadas? I’ll stick to chicken fingers and frozen fish sticks for now, thank you very much.”
It should be noted that Ms. Travelli is an adult, who apparently still eats frozen fish sticks.
Cicada nutrition facts? Well, they’re high in protein and low in cholesterol. Okay, not bad. Eating insects has seemingly gained more attention in recent years, at least in part because of issues around sustainable food sources and the environmental effects of eating certain animals - and also because it’s a new topic for article-writers to write articles about.
Of course, beans are a good source of protein, are low in cholesterol, and have lots of fiber, but that’s not new information, so where’s the fun in writing an article about that?
"As people learn about ways to cook cicada dishes, the Cicada Diet could become very trendy, because eating once every 17 years is a great way to lose weight."
“I hadn’t heard of a zoo giving tips on how to prepare and eat animals,” said a recent visitor, “but I’m eager to attend. And the following week, they’re having a seminar on fun and playful ways to cook sea otters and penguins, which I’m also excited for.”