(Baonghean.vn) - With their nutty, fragrant, and rich flavor, dishes made from bamboo shoots are now known as a unique and unusual "specialty" in the western part of Nghe An province.
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| When the sweltering heat of summer subsides and is replaced by sudden rain showers, the people of Dong Van (Tan Ky) gather to go into the forest and into caves to catch "chong chong" - a type of insect similar to crickets - to prepare into unique dishes.Due to the high, dense, and mountainous terrain, only experienced people can accurately locate and catch these thorny plants. |
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| These insects prefer to nest in damp places, especially in burrows deep beneath the dense forest canopy. |
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| People prepare essential items such as flashlights, bags, and nets; the path into the cave is very difficult, so everyone has to be very skillful to catch the prey hiding in the dark cave. |
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| The villagers' spoils of war were acquired in a short period of time. |
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| They resemble crickets but have a slender body, antennae, and longer legs. They prefer to appear during the rainy season and live in damp places. |
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| After being caught, the grasshoppers are washed clean, and their antennae and claws are removed according to individual preferences before being prepared. |
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| After washing the bamboo shoots, let them drain and then begin processing.Their meat is rich in protein and calcium, and tastes just as good as other insects. |
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| They are prepared in many dishes such as stir-fried with lime leaves, stir-fried with betel leaves, grilled or deep-fried until crispy... their meat is rich, fragrant, and fatty, so it has long been a familiar dish of the people in the highlands of Nghe An province. |
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| After a hard day working in the fields, the villagers can enjoy simple, traditional dishes right in their huts – nutritious and readily available food with a unique mountain flavor that cannot be found anywhere else. |
Phuong Thuy
