Specialty only in An Giang, looks terrible but very fatty and nutritious, 350,000 VND/kg

Aphids is a type of beetle that often occurs in the southwestern border region and Bay Nui (bordering Tri Ton and Tinh Bien districts (An Giang)). They multiply in large numbers at the beginning of the rainy season and last about a month.

Aphids have the following characteristics: beetle-like, about the size of a thumb, brown cockroach wings, short body, winged, hard head and legs but clear and soft body. They are very gentle, do not bite like some other insects.

Khanh Vy (31 years old, An Giang) said: “Bugs are very familiar to people in the Bay Nui area of ​​my hometown. They are usually available at the time of April-May of the lunar calendar. At that time, the trees sprout and sprout, the earthworms come up from the ground, mature and turn into leafhoppers that find the branches to live.”

Aphids have the following characteristics: beetle-like, about the size of a thumb, brown cockroach wings, short body, winged, hard head and legs but clear and soft body.

According to Ms. Khanh Vy, in the past, leafhoppers were harmful insects to farmers because they often bitten the rice, young leaves of cashew trees, mango trees… Then people processed them into extremely delicious dishes. full of nutrients.

The reason for calling the beetles is a specialty because a year they only appear 1-2 months. In particular, they are extremely enjoyed by Western drinkers, called “unique moves”. “To hunt for aphids is quite time consuming. If in the past they wanted to eliminate them, people would use pesticides, now they have to collect cow dung, dried buffalo dung, and burn it to prevent it from spreading to the sky. Then they smell the smell and fly. Then they will beat them to the ground with a broom and put them in a basket.

If anyone is willing to hunt bugs at night, it will be simpler. They just need to hang a bright light under the tree – where the beetles perch. A few minutes later, they will race to fly and fall to the ground because of their love of light,” said Khanh Vy.

In the past, leafhoppers were the food of the poor in the Bay Nui area, only families who could not afford to catch them to make the meal more attractive. But in recent years, they have become a specialty, a favorite dish not to be missed in restaurants and pubs.

In the past, beetles were the food of the poor in the Bay Nui area.

“Processing hoppers is quite easy, just clean by removing the wings, legs and guts and then rinsing with warm water mixed with salt. Then they marinated the bugs with sugar, monosodium glutamate, and garlic pepper for about 20 minutes. When the pan is fried, you can feel the rich, greasy aroma, “shared Khanh Vy.

Deep-fried mealybugs will be served with raw vegetables, cucumbers, tomatoes and seasoned with salt, pepper, and lemon. At first glance, people will feel horrible not wanting to eat because they are so ugly they are insects. But those who are brave enough to enjoy it will see all its unique deliciousness. “You just need to take a light bite and you will gradually feel the greasy taste that no other food has. Currently in the main season, leafhoppers are quite expensive, from 300,000 to 350,000 VND / kg”, said the woman in the West.