The French have their snails, well we have the witchetty grub.
Whether it’s the wrinkly body, the intimidating jaws, or simply that it’s an insect, the witchetty grub is often a testing meal choice for most of us.
A Witchetty What?
The term witchetty grub (also witchety grub or witjuti grub) particularly applies to the larvae of the Cossid Moth however it has become a general term for any large, white, wood-eating larvae that’s considered a food source.
You’d typically find them feeding on sap from the roots of the Witjuti Bush throughout Northern Territory and Western Australia, however they do have a taste for other tree varieties such as the Red River Gum and the Black Wattle as well. The moth will lay eggs around the tree base and once hatched they will burrow about 60cm into the roots where they’ll spend most of their life before making the transition into a moth.
How to Get Them
They can usually be spotted by a crack or small ring of sawdust and dirt at the base of the tree and can be caught by pushing a long piece of wire with a backward facing hook down the hole and pulling them out.
The Taste Test
Traditionally they are eaten live by grabbing the head and biting off the rest, otherwise the best way to cook them is to sear them all over on a hot BBQ, or throw them in the coals of a fire. If this hasn’t yet tingled your tastebuds you could even throw them in a hot pan with some butter and garlic. The taste is quite pleasant having a nutty fried egg flavour and the skin resembles that of fried chicken skin.
The grubs are also known to be a good source of nutrition and an ideal survival food. They are rich in protein, fat, and energy and are valuable sources of vitamin B1, potassium, magnesium, and zinc.
Conclusion
Getting past the initial hesitation is the hardest part and if you’re given the chance to get your hands on one of these you’ll find that it’s actually quite a pleasant experience after all.
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