Crispy, Crunchy... Crickets? UConn Food Truck Has Unusual Menu - NBC News
The University Of Connecticut in Storrs is serving up tacos with a twist. They have added roasted crickets to their list of ingredients. NBC Connecticut
"College kids love outrageous, out-of-the-box food finds, so it was just a matter of time before insects hit the campus scene," said Joy Bauer, MS RDN, nutrition and health expert for TODAY and founder of
Nourish Snacks. "It's a bit creepy to think about eating crickets, but they're actually rich in protein, and when roasted and milled into flour they produce a mild, neutral flavor that can be easily worked into baked goods."RELATED:
Many College Students Aren't Warned About Substance Use Risks: SurveyCouture says the critters are meant to be eaten as toppings for the food truck's offerings. Right now, they're dishing out Asian-inspired tacos. As the weather cools, they'll switch to comfort food like stews and chilis.
"Dining has changed a lot in college. Whereas before you could put mac and cheese out every night, now you have to kind of push yourself and give everybody more options," Couture said.
RELATED:
The 50 Fittest Colleges in the U.S.: What Makes Them So Healthy?Crickets definitely aren't for everyone.
"I guess if you're up for an adventure, you can add them straight up as a taco topper," Bauer said. "Personally, I'm going to stick with salsa."