Jennifer nominates The Beatles in our Rock Group and Depression Buster? Contest. We are looking for foods high in depression-fighting nutrients that are also rock groups. Jennifer says:
What about Beetles, as in The Beatles, and beetles as in bugs? They have got to be loaded with vitamins, like all insects. I was thinking specifically of real beetles, like Japanese beetles.
Insects as a group are loaded with nutrients and are part of the diet of some traditional people groups.
If the USDA included their nutrient profile in their database where my list of food came from, beetles probably would make the list.
Jennifer recommends stir frying the beetles with some vegetables.
For an expert recommendation I sought out my copy of Why Not Eat Insects? written in the late 1800s by Vincent M. Holt. He recommends the following:
The Meal-worm, the larva of a small beetle, is generally looked upon with disgust, as only fit for tame birds. Even the strong-stomached and hungry sailor will rap his sea-biscuit on the table to shake out the worms before eating it. Let him shake out the worms, by all means; but let him collect them, fry in lard, and spread the dainty on his dry biscuit. He will not again throw Meal-worms away.
But in case you don't eat biscuits or lard, The Ohio State University Extension provides us with another recipe:
Rootworm Beetle Dip
2 cups low-fat cottage cheese
1-1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons skim milk
1/2 cup reduced calorie mayonnaise
1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon onion, chopped
1-1/2 tsp. dill weed
1-1/2 tsp. Beau Monde
1 cup dry-roasted rootworm beetles
Enjoy!
