Catatos
Catatos is a traditional Angolan dish made with fried caterpillars and garlic. It is often served over rice. The dish is a specialty of the Uíge Province in northwestern Angola.
Background
The consumption of insects is an ancient indigenous tradition in many parts of the world, including southern Africa, due to their high nutritious value. A number of edible insects, including caterpillars and other larvae, are eaten in the Uíge Province of Angola where they play a substantial role in rural diet. Of these, the mopane worm, a type of caterpillar, is one of the most widely consumed species. Approximately 9.5 billion mopane worms are harvested yearly in southern Africa. Other caterpillar species traditionally eaten in Angola include the larvae of the Imbrasia epimethea, Imbrasia ertli and Usta terpsichore.Traditional methods of gathering and preparation vary depending on the species. Children are often sent to gather them from the trees, while adults gather them in the fields. Sometimes, trees may be cut down and split to gather the caterpillars inside. Caterpillars are washed in water, and their digestive tract may be removed as part of the cleaning process. Urticating hairs are singed off, if present. Catatos, a traditional Uíge dish, is made by frying caterpillars with garlic.