5 Exotic Foods to Eat to Survive During a Crisis

Several parts of the world, including Kenya and Haiti, have been experiencing food shortages in recent years. Concerns regarding the long-term sustainability of their food supply are also growing in many countries.

But did you know that you can endure a crisis by consuming different kinds of exotic foods? Discover a variety of bizarre foods around the world that you can eat in times of food scarcity, which are safe to consume and also found to be nutritious.

Braised Flamingo

(Photo : Pexels/Pixabay)

In the modern world, chicken is often considered one of the most popular forms of protein. On the other hand, humans also enjoy eating different kinds of birds, namely duck and turkey. There is also consumption of birds such as quail, grouse, geese, and swan; however, the flamingo is less popular among the general public.

There is something strange about the flamingo in every way since this bird has an odd appearance and is thin, moving, and flying with difficulty. Their feathers, which are naturally white, turn pink when they consume a diet abundant in beta-carotene, the chemical responsible for the orange coloration of carrots.

The cooked flamingo was a dish only served to the wealthy in ancient Rome who had the financial means to purchase this food, and it was reportedly a status symbol equivalent to showing off one's wealth.

Today, some people continue to consume flamingo meat. Several markets in China and Thailand sell flamingo meat in the open market. Thus, due to the prolonged food shortage, people in Venezuela also hunt and consume it, and others who live in the Caribbean hunt and consume flamingos.

Witchetty Grub

Huge, white, and wood-eating larvae of several different moths are called Witchetty grubs in Australia. It specifically pertains to the grubs, named after the cossid moth larvae that consume the roots of the Witchetty shrub. For the indigenous Aborigines of Australia, the witchetty grub was considered an exceptionally delicious treat. One option is to eat it raw, while another is to roast it over coals in a fire.

As stated, in its uncooked form, it has a flavor similar to that of almonds, while when cooked, it has a flavor similar to that of chicken or scrambled eggs. Although the raw consumption of witchetty grub was the most common method of eating this bizarre food in ancient Australia, some individuals may have opted to cook it to incorporate it into their meals with other foods. Surprisingly, many people continue to consume this 'delicacy' today.

According to SBS Food, Wichetty grubs are an excellent diet for survival since they are not only high in calories but also high in protein and fat. It is also an excellent source of vitamin B1 and the minerals potassium, magnesium, and zinc, which are all vital to human health.

Frogs

Even though several species of frogs are dangerous, this sticky and leaping amphibian, which lives near marshes, can be consumed since it is edible. Determining which ones are edible before ever attempting to consume them is essential.

Frogs are an essential component of the culinary traditions of the Chinese and Japanese civilizations. Also, there are already places in the Philippines where it is consumed, such as Pampanga, where it is stuffed and fried into a dish called Betute.

Grasshoppers

Protein is a rich energy source that these green insects with wings and antennae can supply to the human body. It is reportedly a different snack that can satisfy a hungry tummy.

Coral Worms

Deep off the coast of Samoa, in the Pacific trenches, are tiny small worms called palolo that live in the coral reefs. Every few years, when the circumstances in the atmosphere are just right, they emerge from the coral. The locals collect them from the surface and consume them in a variety of ways, such as plain or raw, sautéed, or that of a spread on toast. Furthermore, it reportedly has the flavor of liver fermented in salt water.

As per Scholar Space, the amount of calcium in palolo is three times higher than that of beef, and it has around twice as much phosphorus and approximately the same amount of iron.