You Call This a Delicacy?
Its a Freaking Maggot!!! Is it safe for consumption? Of course it is, it is not just safe for consumption it is also beneficial cause it is highly nutritious.
Itun is also known as Bayelsa Suya, Edible maggot, Palm Tree Weevil Larva and so on. This is a delicacy in the southern part of Nigeria. Edible larva is also eaten as a delicacy in other part of the world, for example; the inhabitants of Amazon Forest, Central African, Asian Countries, and so on.......
The maggots are picked or harvested from the inner part of dead or rotten palm trees, so you either cut the rotten palm tree on the edge or totally uproot it.
For those who can’t recognise a dead palm tree. A palm tree Is dead when it becomes all weak, leafless and dried-up.
Edible Maggot is washed with water and salt , after that it could be eaten raw, I definitely can’t try that, it could be fried, roasted or grilled and boiled.
Roasting or Grilling Method 1
- After washing, a sharpened thin stick is then used to stick the edible maggots (the number of edible maggot on a stick is up to you).
- After being placed on the stick, you then season it with pepper other seasoning of your choice.
- Then you roast or grill over the fire.
Roasting or Grilling Method 2
- Fry your sauce and garnish it to your preferred taste.
- When the sauce is almost ready, you add the washed edible maggot into the sauce.
- Continuously stir the Edible Maggot and sauce for 5-10mins, and it’s ready to eat.
Boiling Method
This is basically cooking your Edible Maggot in boiling water; Place your pot of water on fire, add the edible maggot and seasoning and allow it to steam for some time.
Because of it fats, oil is not needed when cooking, it is also necessary to slice the edible maggot open before cook.
Itun is basically nutritious as it is a great source of protein, lipid, carbohydrates and minerals such as; Potassium, Magnesium, Manganese, Iron, phosphorus, calcium and so on. Itun can be eaten alone or alongside palmwine, rice, garri.
Tasty right?
Stay tuned to my blog as I inform you of various insects delicacies.