Oh my goodness, I can get so squeamish about food. I eat all kinds of stuff that is considered gross by others without batting an eyelash (think tongue, tripe, pork rinds), but then I find out that people are eating burgers with patties made out of crickets and I BUG out. Sure, I know people around the world eat insects, but I've just never been one of those people and yet I am intrigued by restaurant Antojeria La Popular in downtown Manhattan and their "Grass-Whopper." They look delicious, but then I think of what they are made of my mouth turns into an inverted pucker.
Read more ¿Qué más?: 7 Most outrageous fast foods EVER
The patty on this particular burger is made with a combination of crickets and queso Chihuaha; it is then seasoned and cooked. A combination of whole exoskeletons and ground crickets are used for texture and a satisfying crunch, I suppose. They are served with chipotle mayo (yum), heirloom tomatoes, onion, and romaine lettuce, all inside of a whole-wheat mini pita.
The burgers were born of a collaboration between the restaurant and artist Pedro Reyes for a People's United Nations event. The dish is meant to add to the conversation of using insects for feeding communities around the world. Marc Shalma, director of operations at Antojeria La Popular, explains, "They give relevancy to the issue of finding new proteins to sustain the next generation."
You know what? I bet you the burgers are totally delicious. According to Shalma, the burger "was a huge success at the event. They are very tasty, combining the idea of a traditional American burger with some Mexican flair." No doubt, now if I could just get over the whole crickets thing.
Image via AntojeriaNYC/Twitter
