The witchetty grub also spelled witchety grub or witjuti grub is a term used in Australia for the large, white, wood-eating larvae of several moths.
Before European settlers arrived in Australia, there was a thriving food culture, one that happily sustained the Aboriginal people for tens of thousands of years. However, that food culture, often referred to as bush tucker, has been largely ignored over the past 200 years.
One of the best know bush foods it is also one of the more elusive. The grub is the larva of a moth and generally only found in central Australia. They can be found in the root system of the Witchetty Bush although not every bush will yield them. They have also been known to be found in the Bloodwood Tree.
Witchetty Grubs can be found in the root system of the Witchetty Bush
The grubs grow to about 7cm in length and are known to be high in protein. It is said that 10 witchetty grubs are sufficient to provide the daily needs of an adult. The grub can be eaten raw and the best way to eat them is to grab the head and just bite off the rest.
The best way to eat a witchetty grub is is to grab the head and just bite off the rest.
Barbecued Grubs
Barbecued, witchetties are often eaten as an appetizer. They are cooked over a fire on pieces of wire, rather like shasliks or satays. It takes about two minutes each side for the meat to become white and chewy and the skin crusty.
Skewering Witchetty Grub makes for an easy way to barbecue them.
The BBQ is perfect for this. You could try cooking them with some butter and even some garlic but the best way is to keep it simple.
BBQ'd Witchetty Grubs
You will find that the taste is quite pleasant having a fried egg flavour with a hint of nuts and the skin resembles that of fried chicken skin. The indigenous folk have been eating these for years and regard them as a delicacy being good tasting and a great source of nutrition.
Witchetty Grubs also make a great soup so here's a simple recipe you can try - if your game, that is!!
WITCHETTY SOUP
Jean-Pierre Rodot, part owner and chef of La Cafeterie, eats a live witchetty grub out of a bowl of his special witchetty grub soup. (photo by Peter Menzel www.menzelphoto.com)
Sweet Witchetty Grubs might be more to your liking.
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Before European settlers arrived in Australia, there was a thriving food culture, one that happily sustained the Aboriginal people for tens of thousands of years. However, that food culture, often referred to as bush tucker, has been largely ignored over the past 200 years.
One of the best know bush foods it is also one of the more elusive. The grub is the larva of a moth and generally only found in central Australia. They can be found in the root system of the Witchetty Bush although not every bush will yield them. They have also been known to be found in the Bloodwood Tree.
Witchetty Grubs can be found in the root system of the Witchetty Bush
The grubs grow to about 7cm in length and are known to be high in protein. It is said that 10 witchetty grubs are sufficient to provide the daily needs of an adult. The grub can be eaten raw and the best way to eat them is to grab the head and just bite off the rest.
The best way to eat a witchetty grub is is to grab the head and just bite off the rest.
Barbecued Grubs
Barbecued, witchetties are often eaten as an appetizer. They are cooked over a fire on pieces of wire, rather like shasliks or satays. It takes about two minutes each side for the meat to become white and chewy and the skin crusty.
Skewering Witchetty Grub makes for an easy way to barbecue them.
The BBQ is perfect for this. You could try cooking them with some butter and even some garlic but the best way is to keep it simple.
BBQ'd Witchetty Grubs
You will find that the taste is quite pleasant having a fried egg flavour with a hint of nuts and the skin resembles that of fried chicken skin. The indigenous folk have been eating these for years and regard them as a delicacy being good tasting and a great source of nutrition.
Witchetty Grubs also make a great soup so here's a simple recipe you can try - if your game, that is!!
WITCHETTY SOUP
Jean-Pierre Rodot, part owner and chef of La Cafeterie, eats a live witchetty grub out of a bowl of his special witchetty grub soup. (photo by Peter Menzel www.menzelphoto.com)
If munchin' down on a real Witchetty Grup seems a bit gross for you then why not try the sweet variety?
Sweet Witchetty Grubs might be more to your liking.
Sources:
http://tasteaustralia.biz/bushfood/native-meats-seafood/witchetty-grub/
http://www.sbs.com.au/food/article/2008/07/01/about-native-australian-food
http://outbackcooking.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/witchety-grub-bush-tucker.html
http://auscuisine.tripod.com/specialty/witchettysoup.htm
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