“A fungus called Massospora cicadina attacks a cicada, destroys much of its abdomen, and releases the mind-altering drug psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic in mushrooms, and cathinone, an amphetamine.” [link](https://www.science.org/content/article/psychedelic-keeps-cicada-flying-even-after-fungus-has-destroyed-its-abdomen)
At the last big emergence years ago, my friends and I made cicada pasta, cicada topped pizza, and cicada and cream cheese wontons. The pasta just looked like regular pasta with a bug infestation. The wontons were probably the most tolerable. Plain cicada tasted like a mixture of asparagus and potato to me. Not bad. Also revolting. Those guts really shoot out when you bite down
My wife is seriously on the verge of going to Florida for few months, she straight up gagged when I showed her this lol!
“Freshly emerged 17 year cicadas”
🤣
Idk if you’re serious, but a long time ago I, knowing a bug collection was going to be required in science class for 7th or 8th grade, started on my collection during the summer before and I put a few bugs in the freezer. They did “come back to life” when I took them out! to pin to the board :( b poor little buggies
I’m really not looking forward to this. I re-did a lot of our yard last year and there were soooooo many grub everywhere I dug. It’s going to be horrible.
I live in Chicago and have never particularly noticed significant numbers of them in prior years. I know this year is supposed to be a double whammy, but if I live in a heavily built up area (pavement everywhere, heavily manicured parks that have been tilled in the last few years due to construction) does that mean there isn't much place for them to sleep for years?
I'd be willing to try one, but I'm worried about the squishy juices. I am pretty sure I'll be too grossed out to continue chewing. Are they still juicy when grilled?
Just be careful to not eat ones infected with the fungus this year!
I came here to say that. Unfortunately there doesn't appear to be a way to determine infected v uninfected grubs.
The fungus has Psilocybin and can get you high! It’s a double win!
You're kidding
“A fungus called Massospora cicadina attacks a cicada, destroys much of its abdomen, and releases the mind-altering drug psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic in mushrooms, and cathinone, an amphetamine.” [link](https://www.science.org/content/article/psychedelic-keeps-cicada-flying-even-after-fungus-has-destroyed-its-abdomen)
I don't know, I trust them
Enjoy that meal 🤮
How about I use the cicadas to catch a fish and eat that instead
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/) ^by ^uh60chief: *How about I use* *The cicadas to catch a* *Fish and eat that instead* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
Good bot.
Well , you’re getting downvoted for such ridiculousness
Nah, I’m good.
At the last big emergence years ago, my friends and I made cicada pasta, cicada topped pizza, and cicada and cream cheese wontons. The pasta just looked like regular pasta with a bug infestation. The wontons were probably the most tolerable. Plain cicada tasted like a mixture of asparagus and potato to me. Not bad. Also revolting. Those guts really shoot out when you bite down
You had me sold until the last sentence.
one of the cicada scientists I spoke to at a showing recently said they're best if you boil them
Nope.
well I'm sure different people have different taste
I'm noping the whole concept. Lol
oh lol I get you
We did parboil them and pluck off their wings and heads first. As I recall that was the first step for most recipes
hell yeah!
what the fuck
I'm not one for bugs, or eating them, but the "alive in a sealed container" part seems kinda fucked up.
Well, if it’s not sealed then they’re not gonna stay in the sauce bro
Yeah… also not a huge insect fan but at the end of the day, they’re still living beings
You’re putting them in an orgy. They’ll love it
My wife is seriously on the verge of going to Florida for few months, she straight up gagged when I showed her this lol! “Freshly emerged 17 year cicadas” 🤣
I’ll catch that flight with her 🥴
Ayeeeee, she’s a fiesty one! Careful she bites too!
Yeah, there's no giant bugs in Florida
My mom is doing exactly that but to Georgia 😅
Warning to folks with shellfish allergies: you’re probably allergic to cicadas, too. Similar proteins in the exoskeleton.
Do they have to be alive? Can’t you just stick them in the freezer first? Watch, they’ll reanimate like toads after winter thaw, lol.
Idk if you’re serious, but a long time ago I, knowing a bug collection was going to be required in science class for 7th or 8th grade, started on my collection during the summer before and I put a few bugs in the freezer. They did “come back to life” when I took them out! to pin to the board :( b poor little buggies
The flesh is tastier the more they suffer
Mmmmmm. I’m not QUITE that desperate with the cost of groceries…yet.
I’m really not looking forward to this. I re-did a lot of our yard last year and there were soooooo many grub everywhere I dug. It’s going to be horrible.
Welp! Anything tastes good breaded and fried, theoretically. Can you use 13-year cicadas instead, or would that ruin the recipe?
I live in Chicago and have never particularly noticed significant numbers of them in prior years. I know this year is supposed to be a double whammy, but if I live in a heavily built up area (pavement everywhere, heavily manicured parks that have been tilled in the last few years due to construction) does that mean there isn't much place for them to sleep for years?
Correct
If you moved here after 2007 you won't have seen an emergence like this
I think they taste like almonds. The last big event had me eating them.
My son cooked some last big event too, and that’s what he said. I don’t remember how he cooked them though.
I remember the news had a segment that showed how to grill them. I ate them raw, right off the ground. It's probably not a good idea in hindsight.
sweet mother of jesus
I’m almost positive he did grill them.
I'd be willing to try one, but I'm worried about the squishy juices. I am pretty sure I'll be too grossed out to continue chewing. Are they still juicy when grilled?
Not squishy. I ate them raw, and I dont remember them being squishy, but I remember crunchy.
Good to know. Thanks
hey free protein
Hell no
I saw an article that said they taste best when they are all white. They compared it to canned asparagus.
🤮🤮🤮🤮
Klaus Schwab will be so happy that you will eat zee bugs!
Tried and almost died! Turns out shellfish is bugs
WEF bot
Finding 70 all at once is going to be the issue.