A Very International Group
You haven’t lived until you’ve read The Milagro Beanfield War and crunched a few chapulines. Pair those two delicacies with a lovely pinot, and you understand the concept of heaven.
Milagro was first published in 1974 by Ballantine Books. John Nichols was the author and brilliant in this book.
Here’s what steered me to choose this book and chapulines as the accompaniment.
Kirkus: “More alive than a grasshopper on a hot skillet. . .full of good humor.”
So here’s the Chapulines Recipe:
In May, and up until late summer (hurry) trap a few thousand grasshoppers.
Thoroughly wash and pat dry. They like the patting part. Washing? Not so much.
After you’ve thoroughly cleaned and dried them, Take out your comal, sauté garlic in a light oil.
Say good-bye to your tiny long-legged friends and toast your critters until crispy.
Toss in lime juice and salt containing extract of agave worms. This will lend the piquant—sour-spicy-salty—taste to the finished product.
If you like spicy, add chili.
Get some napkins, the pinot, and find a comfy spot with good lighting. Open to page one and read, “Many people in the Miracle Valley had theories about why Joe Mondaragon did it.”
Hooked? You bet you are. Now enjoy those crunchy chapulines, that pinot, and a great adventure in the beanfield unlike any other.
DMS says
I've never read this one- and I like the wine pairing. I've yet to try a grasshopper- though I guess having them crispy is probably the best way!
~Jess
Loni Townsend says
I had to go look those up. Grasshoppers?! I admit they aren't high on my list. But there's nothing I'd refuse to try…
Lady Lilith says
A nice glass of wine and a good book sounds like a great evening activity.
TBM says
Okay, I'll give it a go. But I hope my wine glass if full to wash them down.
Stephanie Faris says
AHHHHHHHHHH. I'm going to have nightmares about this. Jumping insects freak me out. Grasshoppers, crickets–I live in fear of them jumping on me so when I see one, I scream and run!
Liz Blocker says
HA! What a great twist on this blogfest 🙂 The recipe is great, too…although I think I might wimp out on actually trying it!
Cherie Reich says
Um, I don't think I want to try this one out. LOL!
T.F. Walsh says
Very interesting…. it might take a lot before I give these a try, though I'm sure they taste good…:)
Zoe Byrd says
yeah, Youll forgive me if I pass on the recipe right? I read the book quite a long time ago but its really worth a reread!
Beverly Stowe McClure says
Haha, washings okay but patting is not. Think I'll pass. 🙂
The book cover is gorgeous. Rainbows are so pretty.
The potluck blogfest sounds like fun too. A lot's going on these days.
Crystal Collier says
Um… I think I just lost my appetite. I did eat friend caterpillar once, and that was enough for me. (It was totally charred.)
Vanessa Morgan says
You definitely know how to make us feel comfortable and get us in the mood to read and eat.
Heather Holden says
LOL, not a fan of grasshoppers or wine. You can have my share! 😉
Yvonne Ventresca says
I'm horrified. You got me on this one, Lee. No way.
Yvonne
Lynda R Young says
Think I'll stick with the Pinot…. 😉
Kim Lajevardi says
I've never had grasshoppers, but I did eat a cricket saute at a science conference one year. Good. Crunchy. 🙂
Patricia Lynne says
I've eaten a few strange things, but bugs? Not sure I could. Maybe if I closed my eyes and there were no legs. It's definitely the legs that turn me off the most. Bleh!
Medeia Sharif says
I can't imagine eating insects unless it's unintentional. Thanks for participating.
Meradeth Houston says
Okay, I'm not sure I could do this. I read about people all over the world eating bugs, and that's all fine and good, but I'm a bit squeamish, I'll admit! 🙂
Sheena-kay Graham says
Such a cool bloghop idea you guys. Not a fan of eating insects but different recipes are like the variety of life.
Catherine Stine says
Ewww! I don't think I could eat grasshoppers… unless I was starving. Though I did eat ants in my third grade science class.
Lexa Cain says
( :O But they're bugs.) I've heard of The Milagro Beanfield War – it's super famous – but I haven't read it. Now that you've brought it to my attention, I'll keep an eye out for it. (Cooked or not – they're bugs!) I seem to remember they even made a movie out of this book many years ago with an all-star cast. (They're bugs! BUGS!!!)
Samuel Bledsoe says
Do I have to catch the grasshoppers, or can I use crickets that I can buy from the store? I live in town and grasshoppers aren't as plentiful as when I was growing up. I'm always up for something new in food, so I might try it.
J.L. Campbell says
Now here's something different. I believe I'll pass on this one. 🙂
L. Diane Wolfe says
Where's Andrew Zimmer from Bizarre Foods when you need him?
Carol Kilgore says
mmm…I'm an adventurous eater, but a girl's gotta draw the line somewhere. I think this may be it 🙂
Bish Denham says
You know, I've always wanted to try grasshoppers. I learned way back in my childhood that they were good eat. If I can't eat them, at least I can read the book!
C. Lee McKenzie says
You have to get beyond the idea of wings and feelers, then you're good to go.
Dianne K. Salerni says
Oh, um … I don't think so. *shudders*
C. Lee McKenzie says
You and Alex. You really need to be more experimental. 🙂
Southpaw HR Sinclair says
The idea of crunchy bug with wine tickles my funny bone! Thanks for that.
C. Lee McKenzie says
A good way to start or end a day.
DEZMOND says
you didn't just serve us insects……
C. Lee McKenzie says
I did.
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
Think I will pass on the grasshoppers, but I will take a glass of wine!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Where's your sense of adventure?