110291 Mon Jan 28 17:57:00 -0800 2002 6 7 Chicago Area 0 595143 As Chicago Chowhounds dined at the Parthenon last night (and excellent meal and company it was), it occurred to me that maybe we should start pushing the food envelop. As we all know, much of the world eats stuff that many in the US would consider inedible: I’m talking about offal, insects, etc. Now, we did have a fair sampling of what may commonly be considered offal at the Parthenon (at least, I got some), but at the risk of offending more sensitive palettes, I’m thinking maybe it’s time to seek vittles in more obscure links of the food chain. Roast roach? Grilled centipede? Fried locust? Can such be had in the Chicagoland area? And if so, is anyone besides me intrigued by the possibility? Mon Jan 28 17:57:00 -0800 2002 0 David Hammond 1 595144 I work for a company whose homebase is in Chicago, and I'm surprised as can be that most of my Chicago cohorts won't even acknowledge sweetbreads as food. It just hits high on the Ewww! factor for them. So, although I'm with you in broadening the food chain, I think you're going to be part of a small herd. However, all is not lost. I know Iowa State University has an entomology club that favors insects as cuisine. And Iowa is about as midwestern as I can imagine. Try the link below. By the way, candied grasshoppers are mighty tasty. It's kinda nutty-beefy, crunchy and light. The sushi chef at a local Japanese restaurant makes them from scratch, and offers them only to new customers who are adventurous. And speaking of candied critters, there's a candy shop in California (I don't remember where or its name, but it's part of a beach town--Pismo Beach comes to mind) that specializes in candied bugs. You can find the likes of scorpion lollipops, caramel and grub apples, and other confections making use of crickets, ants, praying mantises, etc. It was featured on Food TV. Link: http://www.ent.iastate.edu/misc/insectsasfood.html Mon Jan 28 18:48:00 -0800 2002 595143 0 Daniel C 2 595146 The California company is Hotlix. I bought a box of Cricket Lick-Its from them. A great novelty item but I doubt too many people would eat the for the taste (the sugar-free candy was lousy; the cricket was okay). Here’s a link or you can call them at 1-800-EAT-WORM. Link: http://www.hotlix.com/bugfun.htm Mon Jan 28 19:33:45 -0800 2002 595144 0 Rene G 1 595145 Dudley Nieto used to have a restaurant, Chapulin (on Halsted where Aubriot is now), that regularly served chapulines (toasted grasshoppers) and escamoles (ant eggs). I tried the ‘hoppers which were okay but never got around to the ant roe. I think that he no longer serves these at Adobo Grill, his new restaurant, because he got tired of getting publicity only for these dishes. You might call and see if he’d be willing to prepare them specially (maybe for a future gathering?). For about $2 at Chicago Food Corp, the excellent Korean market, you can pick up a can of silkworms (actually silkworm chrysalises, in the aisle with the canned tuna). I’ve tried them and found them interesting, not great. Not Chicago but every year L'Insectarium de Montréal has a week-long insect feast. In that week they reportedly serve 100,000 larvae, 60,000 crickets, 10,000 locusts, and 5,000 silkworms. It was usually at the end of February and for several years I had been hoping to attend. I was disappointed to find out that the festival is already over but I include a link for those interested in taking a look. Be sure to click on the link to the book ("Des insectes à croquer") at the bottom of the page. As far as I can tell the page is only available in French. Link: http://www.ville.montreal.qc.ca/insectarium/html/croquins.htm Mon Jan 28 19:13:44 -0800 2002 595143 0 Rene G 2 595187 on the subject of ant eggs - you might be able to ask the lao place on argyle (nhu hoa - which i have recently been asking everyone about)if they might do the lao specialty of red ant egg soup. My sister also has eaten silkworms in the home of a lao nutritional anthropologist with similar findings as Rene, but if its crawlies you are looking for its a lead Tue Jan 29 22:32:18 -0800 2002 595145 0 zim 1 595161 I think the difference that counts for me would be between "varmints" -- squirrel, rabbit, or 'possum would be good examples, and I have in fact eaten meat from all three of those critters on visits to family/friends in Maine and Virginia -- and "vermin" such as roaches, rats, or city pigeons (NOT to be confused with farm-raised squab or wood doves). The three latter, with all their disease-carrying connotations, are critters for whom I just can't overcome the "eeeeuuuuuwwww!" factor. Tue Jan 29 10:27:41 -0800 2002 595143 0 Lady T 1 595172 I've always wanted to try the "silverfish with mustard green" at Mei Shung. I know it's just baby fish, but the title (hopefully I got it near right) is so hilarious. Tue Jan 29 13:05:39 -0800 2002 595143 0 annieb