Would you eat cricket cutlets?

In 2010 the World Wildlife Fund released a paper called “The Living Planet Report” which estimated that the Earth has enough productive land and sea for each person to use 1.8 hectares to draw the resources they need. In 2007, the average person used 2.7 hectares. We are in “ecological overshoot” and we currently need 1.5 Earths to sustain our extraction of renewable resources each year and the estimates are that by 2030 we will need two Earths. So we need to start doing things differently in terms of food and although you may be a touch upset at the thought, insects may be part of the answer and a new report has laid out the reasons why.

The report comes from a Professor of Food Science at Penn State University who laid out the many joys, and practicalities, of being an insectivore.

The first point he makes is that insects are generally high in protein. Your basic “cricket cutlet” for instance is about 65 per cent protein where beef is 50 per cent protein. As well as being a good protein source your “firefly fondue” will also be a source of vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. On top of all the good things that are present insects are also usually low in fat with your average “beetle bouillabaisse” having no more than five grams of fat per serving.

On top of all that, eating insects is good for the environment because insect farming can employ much more sustainable practices than conventional livestock farming and can be easily fed.

As we’ve been suggesting with our suggested dishes above, eating insects won’t have to be boring either. Insects can be pan-fried, boiled, sautéed, roasted, baked, and even made into a flour.

The other thing about insects is their abundance and quick breeding turnaround. Some areas have more than 300 species of insects in one location.

Lastly, and importantly when it comes to food, reports are that insects taste good too. Some say they taste nutty, others taste like prawns and the rest, you guessed it, taste like chicken.

Although it may not be a palatable thought right now the nutritional needs of the future may well necessitate insects on the menu. It will all be a matter of becoming accustomed to it, and imagine the employment opportunities for “cockroach-boys” and “cicada-girls” and the glorious spectacle that will be “round-up” time.