Catatos facts for kids

Catatos is a traditional Angolan dish that might sound a bit unusual! It's made by frying caterpillars with garlic. People often eat it with rice. This tasty meal is a popular food in the Uíge Province in northwestern Angola.

Here are some edible moths from Northern Angola. You can see their larval (left) and adult (right) forms. These include Cirina forda, Imbrasia epimethea, Imbrasia obscura, and Imbrasia truncata.

Why Eat Insects?

Eating insects is an old tradition in many parts of the world. This includes southern Africa, where insects are a great source of food. They are very nutritious and have been part of people's diets for a long time.

In the Uíge Province of Angola, many edible insects are eaten. Caterpillars and other larvae are an important part of the local diet. One very popular type is the mopane worm. This caterpillar is eaten by millions of people each year in southern Africa. Other caterpillars eaten in Angola include larvae from Imbrasia epimethea, Imbrasia ertli, and Usta terpsichore.

How Caterpillars are Gathered and Prepared

People use different ways to gather and prepare caterpillars. Often, children help by collecting them from trees. Adults might gather them from fields. Sometimes, trees are cut down to find caterpillars inside.

After gathering, the caterpillars are washed in water. Their insides might be removed to clean them. Any tiny, stinging hairs are burned off. Catatos is then made by frying these cleaned caterpillars with garlic.

Making Catatos

To make Catatos, the caterpillars are fried with garlic. Sometimes, other ingredients are added for more flavor. These can include onion, tomatoes, and pepper.

When cooked, the caterpillars become tender but also a bit crunchy. Many people say they taste similar to prawns. Catatos is usually served over rice or a thick porridge called funge. Some people also like to add Hot sauce for an extra kick!

Super Nutritious!

Caterpillars are very healthy to eat. They are packed with protein, vitamins, and important minerals like iron. A study in 2017 looked at Imbrasia epimethea larvae. It found they had as much protein as tuna, chicken, and beef.

They are also rich in healthy fats called polyunsaturated fatty acids. The study also showed that cooking caterpillars doesn't make them less nutritious. This means they are a great alternative to regular meats. For example, mopane caterpillars have a lot more iron than beef. They have 31 mg of iron per 100 mg, while beef has only 6 mg per 100 mg.