What is the one thing among others you like most about visiting a rural area? The sound of the crickets in the night. We all enjoy this closeness with mother nature which we miss in our urban life.
What if I tell you that there is another way to enjoy cricket? Okay, hold on, do not get too excited. It might not be exciting when I tell you that it involves eating. Yes, cricket is enjoyed as food too!
Jing Leed is the name of a snack made from cricket. It is also known by the name Ging Reed which means cricket. It is one of the street food and perhaps the most common snack in Thailand. They are 1.25″ – 1.5″ long and eaten fried.
They are usually fried and sold on the street. They are cleaned and washed properly and then they are fried in a wok. Before serving a light coating of Golden Mountain sauce as well as Thai Paper powder is added to bring flavour to them. Sometimes coriander seed powder and garlic are also added.
Thai people don’t eat raw insects. They also don’t cook dead bugs. The crickets must be alive and fresh before they are prepared.
This food is heavily salted and is full of protein and essential nutrients. It is a good source of unsaturated fats. It can help in reducing the risk of heart disease. The salt also contains some amounts of iron. The consumers considered this to be very delicious. It is described to have a taste like nutty shrimp.
The bug sellers are found in the local night market in Bangkok. They sell Jing Leed and other fried insects in a customized cart, attached to motorbikes or cycles, so they can cruise around to find customers. Maybe one day the sellers will travel across their carts to sell crickets in our country. Would you try some then?
