Mojojoy

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Mojojoy
Sago grub Rhynchophorus ferrugineus larva.JPG
Rhynchophorus ferrugineus larvae
Place of origin Ecuador,Colombia, Peru
Region or stateAmazon
Main ingredientsbeetle larvae

Mojojoy or Chontacuro [1] is the name of larvae of different palm weevils found in the Oriente (Ecuador) and the Amazon region of Colombia, eaten as food and known as a pest for various palm species. [2] In Peru, it is known as suri or cocotero. [3] The flavor has had different descriptions including resembling the taste of hazelnut or butter. [3] It is also considered a sustainable food source. [3]

Contents

Characteristics

They are the larvae of Ancognatha scarabaeoides [4] and Rhynchophorus palmarum [5] which are considered pests that can attack crops, destroying them partially or totally, or affecting them from the root. [2] The weevils burrow into the aguaje tree, lay eggs, and after hatching, the grubs feed on the oily bark. [3] It is speculated that the fatty flavor comes from this. [3]

Consumption

Suri served in Iquitos Iquitos Gegrillte Maden.JPG
Suri served in Iquitos

It can be eaten alive or prepared by different methods of cooking; most commonly they are roasted or fried, grilled on a skewer, or stuffed with beef, chicken or fish. [2] [5] [6] To eat raw, the head, pincers, and intestines are removed and the contents are sucked out. [3] It can be prepared in the anticucho style, which is grilling after marination. Chicharrón de suri is a dish where the grubs are seasoned with salt and garlic, then fried with green plantains. [3]

Nutrition

The larvae are a good source of protein, vitamins A and E, and beta-carotene. [3]

References

  1. ↑ "Chontacuro, el gusano con sabor exquisito que se come en Ecuador". www.eloriente.com.
  2. 1 2 3 "Culinaria del Amazonas, la más Exótica". Marca País Colombia (in Spanish). 2017-06-28. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Suri Grubs". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  4. ↑ Marino, Paula; Villamizar, Laura; Espinel, Carlos; Cotes, Alba Marina (1990-01-06). "Caracterización de prototipos de bioplaguicidas granulados a base de Metarhizium anisopliae para el control de Ancognatha scarabaeoides (Coleóptera: Nelolonthidae)". Revista Colombiana de Entomología (in Spanish). 30 (1): 43–49. ISSN   0120-0488 . Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  5. 1 2 "APROXIMACIÓN AL RECONOCIMIENTO DEL POTENCIAL ZOOTÉCNICO DE LARVAS DE Rhynchophorus palmarum (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE) EN EL MUNICIPIO DE LETICIA - AMAZONAS, COLOMBIA". Fundación Alejando Ángel Escobar - Para fomentar y difundir la investigación, la ciencia y la solidaridad en Colombia (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  6. ↑ Abadía, Ximena; Pazos, Sonia; Castillo, Silvana; Pachón, Helena (September 2010). "Alimentos autóctonos de las comunidades indígenas y afrodescendientes de Colombia". Archivos Latinoamericanos de Nutrición. 60: 211–219.
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