295475 Tue Dec 23 09:47:07 -0800 2003 6 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 1623958 Saturday night, I had some old college friends and general lay-abouts over, and we were feeling bold, so we cracked open the can of silkworm chrysalises that Rene had given me a few weeks ago. The beverage of choice with such insect products was deemed (in a previous discussion) to be mezcal, and I had the Cusano Rojo close at hand. Beginning with a few shots of the “red worm” was probably the right idea. I had some of this blue agave elixir years ago, and I found the first slug to be kind of like swallowing liquid sandpaper, with notes of neoprene and formaldehyde. After chewing a few silkworm chrysalises, however, the mezcal started tasting a lot better, and the flavors were rather complementary. The chrysalises were crunchy, and biting into one yielded a somewhat satisfying pop and a flavor that could best be described as grey and grimy. Bathed in a thin ginger and onion broth, the chrysalises did not seem to take up much of these flavors. I ate three rather quickly, and then ate one more just to gross out the kids later in the evening. It would seem to me that insect and insect products would best be eaten fried and crispy. I believe frying is the standard preparation for crickets, grasshoppers, locusts, and so on. Hell, I think I could eat just about anything if it’s fried and dipped in hot sauce. Tue Dec 23 09:47:07 -0800 2003 0 David Hammond 1 1623975 David, great post. However, I respectfully disagree with your assessment of the Gusano Rojo. Bien fria, this is among my favorite aperitifs. I goes especially well with BBQ'd or grilled pork or goat, or a cigar, given the drink's rich, smoky nose. Some in my family (including a long-time bartender) have likened the flavor profile this rustic mezcal to the bottom of a well-seasoned Weber Grill. I cannot counter that claim, but only because I've never tasted the bottom of that kind of grill. Thanks for the report. Tue Dec 23 11:37:41 -0800 2003 1623958 0 JeffB 2 1624006 I too have to come to tolerate Gusano Rojo. However it does pale incomparison with the local elixir that a friend of mine brought back from his studies at a medical school located south of the US border. This was in 1972. This stuff was in a hairy gourd, obviously hand-sealed. I have vague recollections of the 4 or 5 partygoers still standing arguing vehemently on how to share the worm(s). I had written a clear, concise review of the mescal but it was confiscated, along with the other party favors by the Point Judith police. As I recall it had a nose reminiscent of JP5 mixed with sour cream, and went well accompanied by bottles of 'Gansett' and Fritos. Tue Dec 23 15:19:02 -0800 2003 1623975 0 FatBob 3 1624080 I first experienced mezcal while "shining" jackrabbits from the back of a pickup truck down in Oaxaca.One of the locals produced a newspaper wrapped Coca Cola bottle,of what he proudly proclaimed to be mezcal illegitamos, aka homemade. Turns out the stuff had vision enhancing properties,(think Mexican night vision goggles)turning all who drank into expert marksmen.It wasn't long before we were back at the hacienda enjoying the worlds finest conejo en mole. To this day I have yet to find mezcal or mole as good as that night in Oaxaca. But I keep trying!!! Merry Xmas to all Link: http://www.kynthia.net/teq_label.html Wed Dec 24 11:37:19 -0800 2003 1624006 0 JSM 4 1624196 hey, nice story too. tho not that great yes i've had better mezcal than gr in old mex -- wish i could recall the brand names, but i'll be damned if i'm gonna detract from david's outstanding silkworm eating and scare the kids adventure! entertaining thread of the month award! Sat Dec 27 18:01:27 -0800 2003 1624080 0 mrnyc 1 1624055 Bravo JSM Wed Dec 24 01:24:21 -0800 2003 1623958 0 JSM 1 1624075 David, Here's another suggestion for your Mezcal adventures: 1. Rent a dive motel room 2. Buy one of those large, blue plastic tarps 3. Acquire a 12lb smoked turkey (whole) 4. Small boom box with ZZ Top CD (Any ZZ Top CD) 5. 1 bottle Mezcal, no glasses 6. Remove bedding from the motel room bed; replace with blue plastic tarp. Place turkey in center with Mezcal on the nightstand. 7. Pick up your blind date and drive immediately to the motel dinner location. 8. Using your best sales technique, get her naked. Set across from each other Indian style on the bed. 9. Begin your feast. This experience is especially wonderful during the holidays replacing more traditional, sit down turkey dinners. Depending on your blind date, this experience can evolve in several different ways. Enjoy! Wed Dec 24 11:18:32 -0800 2003 1623958 0 Leper