### Mopane Worms
Southern Africa — These spiky, finger-sized caterpillars are such a beloved comfort food you can buy them in supermarket snack aisles.
The mopane worm isn't a worm at all—it's the beautiful, spiky caterpillar of the Emperor moth. Almost as long as a finger and thick as a cigar, they pack an earthy, savory flavor and a totally satisfying potato-chip crunch when dried and fried.
How It's Made
During the rainy season, families hand-pick the caterpillars from mopane trees and expertly squeeze out the green plant matter inside. They are then boiled, smoked, or laid out to dry in the hot sun to preserve them. Finally, they are either pan-fried crisp with salt or slowly simmered in a hearty tomato, onion, and chili stew.
The Story
For generations, the harvest of these giant caterpillars has been a vital tradition across Southern Africa, ensuring communities always had a delicious and reliable source of nutrition. Today, they are so deeply loved that they aren't just a home-cooked meal—they are a booming multi-million-dollar industry. You can stroll down the snack aisle of a modern supermarket in Zimbabwe or South Africa and find bright, colorful bags of mopane worms flavored with sweet fruit chutney, peri-peri chili, and classic BBQ, ready to be eaten by the handful.