Nsenene – Grasshoppers are a Ugandan Delicacy

Ugandans love those crispy fried Grasshopper Critters –

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Nsenene – Grasshoppers are a Ugandan Delicacy. Ugandan Grasshoppers are the closely related Bush Crickets. Grasshoppers or Bush Crickets, in Uganda no matter what you call them, grasshoppers or bush crickets, here in Uganda, they are called Nsenene.

April, May, June, October, November are the rainy seasons months. They are also the two Nnesene Seasons of the year. One can hear the shouts of “Nsenene” as Grasshopper vendors make their way through the neighborhoods of Kampala.

Nsenene – Grasshoppers are a Ugandan Delicacy, the Nsenene Season is a favorite and culinary celebratory time for Ugandans of all backgrounds and ages.

In recent times Ugandans have celebrated the Nsenene Harvest Season with a Wine and Nsenene Festival. 

There, the grasshoppers were prepared as Burgers, as Rolex (a Chapati with Eggs|), and mixed with Chicken, Beef, and Vegetables. Not to be outdone along came the Nsenene Pizza Festival sponsored by Riham Soda Company.

The in other parts of the world, shunned Grasshopper has become a Star in Culinary Star in Uganda. Nsenene-grasshoppers have risen from a snack or meal in a local Kafunda (Bar). Tere they were and still are consumed by plate and washed down with more than ample quantities of Waragi or Beer, but now Nsenene, the rising star, has its Festivals.

Tourists will not find Nsenene on the Menu at the better restaurants such as at the Sheraton, Pearl of Africa or Serena Hotels. Still, going by the last few years, Nsenene just might be offered at some high-end restaurants.

Nsenene – Grasshoppers are a Ugandan Delicacy. Nsenene Grasshoppers may not yet be offered at Uganda’s best restaurants. Still, they have made their way like the once lowly regarded Mukene Silverfish to the Supermarket Shelves in tins and packages throughout Kampala.

The Supermarket advantage is that they can be purchased not just during the rainy seasons but all-year long. Tourists that come during the dry-season will find them readily available on the shelves at better-quality supermarkets. It is the perfect gift for someone back home who has tasted most everything but Nsenene.

It is December, and long-rains are lingering on. Grasshoppers are still at work with their contraptions of lights and nets. There is no shortage year, and electricity for the lights that attract the Grasshoppers has been there. When there are power outages, the price of Nsenene goes 

Preparing Nsenene: There is no slaughtering process. Just pull the wings and feet using charcoal dust so that your fingers do not become oily. The grasshoppers are cooked in a frying pan or pot with a little oil while they are still alive. The grasshoppers contain quite a bit of oil in themselves. 

They are eaten hot or cold, a snack, or a meal. A favorite of young and old alike and taste like crispy chicken skin. The perfect snack while watching British-Premier Football Matches on TV at night or Sunday afternoon.

Scientists are telling us that Insects just might be served on all of our tables, not only in Uganda. Researchers have been telling us that we need to look at protein alternatives, and insects, including grasshoppers, are ideally suited to meet our need for protein in the future.

Uganda is way ahead of Western nations, insects, grasshoppers, even White Ants are and have been part of the diet in Central Uganda for hundreds of years. It is the rest of the world will have to start getting used to Nsenene.  

A Traditional Safari Sundowner with Nsenene as Snack:

If you are on a Safari with us and would like to get a taste of Nsenene Grasshoppers. We would be delighted to set up a traditional Safari Sundowner for you. A Sundowner is a safari tradition that goes back to Colonial times when the British took quinine as a malaria regiment. The most palatable way was in the form of Gin and Tonic. We suggest Uganda Waragi, our Ugandan Gin, with a Krest Bitter-Lemon Soda. Instead of Samosas as a snack, we can have roasted Nsenene Grasshoppers. If that sounds right for you, let us know.

Nsenene – Grasshoppers are a Ugandan Delicacy, by the time you leave Uganda, you might feel the same.