Mopanie Worm

Hi All

I thought I would just share with you a little delicacy Donna and I tried in a restaurant in Obz (Observatory) a couple of weeks ago.

It was a wet and windy Sunday and the Obz Fest for that day had been cancelled so we were at a loose end. After having a beer in the local Cool Runnings bar, being dripped on and listening to modern jazz, we decided we needed a change of scene. We mooched along Lower Main Road and came across a friendly looking bar/restaurant. I think it was called Babbos but I just can't quite recall.

Donna tucked into a Mushroom burger while I looked on sipping at a vodka and orange. After a little while the owner, I believe he was called Andrew, came along and asked where we were from. After a chat he asked if we would like to try a South African delicacy. Mopanie Worms.

He told us that these worms, or caterpillars, were dried, then re-hydrated, and then cooked in a variety of ways. I have to say I wasn't keen. Donna was more adventurous and so, in a moment or two, a small plate of deep fried mopanie worms stuffed with feta cheese and accompanied by a curry mayonaise dip arrived at our table.

Donna tucked in first. She didn't look horrified and munched pensively. I had no choice but to try them, except I only took half a one. What was it like? Interesting. I am sure if I had not known it had once been a large caterpillar I could have enjoyed it more. It was rather chewy and had a sort of earthy/gamey taste but with a bit of smoked oyster thrown in. I think my western mind couldn't get my head around it. Andrew told us that they were also eaten fresh, were a great delicacy and full of nutrition.

Donna asked to see the 'worm' before it was re-hydrated. They were about one inch long, dark grey and shrivelled. Not too worm like. Check out the link below to see what they look like when they are alive. They are pretty amazing looking things.

I have since read up about them a little. They are the caterpillar of the giant Emperor Moth and they 'infest' Mopanie trees at certain times of the year. The locals wait until they are fat and juicy and then harvest them from the trees. You have to rip the head off and squeeze out their bitter insides. Then they either eat them fresh or dry them for later.


See a picture of the 4 inch long caterpillars: http://www.digital-photo-forum.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/59115/size/big

Learn more about them: http://www.wordquests.info/erucivorous.html

"Big Isshue"

Dear All

Each Christmas the office staff go out onto the streets of Cape Town and sell copies of The Big Issue. It is a mark of support and respect for the vendors and to remind them all what the vendors go through each and every day. Any proceeds made go the vendors.

So, on Friday I sold TBI on the streets of Cape Town. At a set of robots on Buitengraght Street to be precise, (robots are traffic lights). It was a hot, windy day and we were all kitted out in our Big Issue T-shirts. The other staff were dotted down the road at various intersections. Each time the lights went red I walked up between the lanes of traffic holding the magazine aloft and saying "Big Issue?"

As the time passed I noticed three main reactions. The drivers who looked straight ahead pretending that you didn't exist, windows tightly closed, aircon blasting away. The second was a negative nod indicating that they weren't interested. This, at least, acknowledged that you existed and was a perfectly acceptable response. The third was interaction! Either it was waving a copy they had already bought, or a "No thanks, not today", or "I already bought one" or "I haven't any change" or sometimes the odd joke.

There was one exception to the above. A guy in his 30s, white, in a 4x4. He saw me coming up the traffic lane, looked straight ahead - ignoring me - while winding up his window. Like I looked like I was going to mug/hijack/abuse him. What a sad way to be.

When the lights turn to green you jump back onto the middle pavement smartish, walk back down to the lights and wait for the lights to go red once more.

I did this for about 1.5 hours and sold precisely zero copies. It was hot and the dust blew into my face and eyes. The exhaust fumes began to give me a headache and made me feel sick. It was a brief insight into how a day pans out for a vendor. Except they often sell from 8 am to 7 pm every day in the heat of summer and the wet of winter. They also often walk long distances to and from the The Big Issue depot and their pitches.

So, the next time you are waiting at the lights and someone comes up the lane selling a Big Issue magazine at least acknowledge that you come from the same species. Ideally put your hand in your pocket and buy a copy. The vendors have to buy their magazines, they work hard to sell them and they deserve some respect.

Over and out.
Claire