Nsenene is a Luganda word for an edible insect from the grasshopper family in Uganda. Nsenene belongs to the family of grasshoppers called the bush crickets. Nsenene breeds in the rainy seasons making it a seasonal insect in Uganda. Nsenene are harvested in the months of November and May during the rainy season in Uganda. Nsenene was traditionally a delicacy for the people in Central and south-western Uganda. Nsenene Ugandan grasshoppers have currently been hyped and have become a national delicacy.
The high demand for nsenene throughout the year in Uganda has created the need for scientific breeding of nsenene. Grasshoppers are limited by their very short life span. Scientists in Uganda have been researching the behavior, feeding and breeding of nsenene to ensure the availability of this insect all through the year.
NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION
Nsenene are highly nutritional, they are 36%- 40% composed of proteins. , 41-43 fat, 2.5 %-3.2% carbohydrates2.6–3.9% ash, 11.0–14.5% dietary fiber. Protein-rich edible insects like Nsenene Ugandan grasshopper are an alternative to plant and animal proteins. Grasshoppers are rich in unsaturated fatty acids and omega 3 which are healthy and good for the heart.
HARVESTING NSENENE GRASSHOPPERS
Nsenene harvesting has been commercialized to meet the demand and nsenene Ugandan grasshopper hype that has been trending. Many businesses men and women mostly in Masaka region have therefore invested in the process of harvesting these delicious insects.
Nsenene are harvested during the night, nsenene start to swarm around the light as it grows darker. Many people stay awake night after night to wait for these massive green insects to appear. They are then harvested with the aid of heavy beam lights that are attached to iron sheets.
A collection point below the iron sheets is created; drums are mostly used as collection points. Smokers are placed at the bottom to create smoke that makes the grasshoppers dizzy hence they can’t fly away. The heavy beam lights attract the grasshoppers towards the iron sheets from which they slide down to collection points.
Nsenene harvesting creates jobs for the harvesters during the 2 seasons that they migrate to Uganda in the months of May and November. More jobs are created down the supply chain to the final consumer of the nsenene. The transport system of nsenene from the harvesting area to the wholesale buyers, then the smaller traders, then to the small retailers is part of the supply chain. In markets, women are employed to clean and remove the wings from the nsenene.
TRADITIONS AND CULTURE ASSOCIATED WITH NSENENE
The nsenene was traditionally not consumed by the women in central and southwestern Uganda. The women captured these delicious insects and prepared them for their husbands. Just like chicken culture forbade women to enjoy this nutritious insect.
Women in Uganda today are part of the nsenene grasshopper supply chain, participating in harvesting, vesting, frying, selling and consuming the nsenene. I would say they are the highest consumers of nsenene in Uganda today and are part of the nsenene Ugandan grasshopper hype.
PREPARING THE NSENENE
Nsenene has a crunchy and salty savoury taste that is like no other. They are good to munch on each bite leaves you craving for more. I first tasted nsenene grasshoppers in my high school vacation at my aunts’ place. My cousin prepared this delicious looking nsenene that is much-hyped about, she prepared it well with partially cooked onions. My first taste of this delicious insect was surely amazing; it is crunchy, chewy, salty and sweet. I wanted more; I admit that I kept tiptoeing to the kitchen to pick some more from what she had kept for later. I became part of the nsenene Ugandan grasshopper hype that day.
UGANDAN ROLEX WITH NSENENE
The Ugandan Rolex is a delicious snack enjoyed by Ugandans every day. It is originally a chapatti and egg recipe rolled together with vegetables. The Ugandan Rolex has been modified to using nsenene as part of the recipe.
Nsenene Pizza
Ugandans have further modified the pizza recipes and created a delicious nsenene pizza. The addition of nsenene grasshoppers to the pizza makes it a churchy and chewy savoury taste.
Nsenene Sandwich
Ugandans have also added nsenene to their bread recipes. The vegetables can be replaced with grasshoppers in the sandwich. Nsenene are also placed between bread slices and still, the addition n is just delicious.
Nsenene Pasted In Groundnut Stew
Grasshopper nsenene are being used in the Ugandan groundnut stew recipe. Just like the methods of pasting fish, meat or vegetables. You can replace the fish with nsenene making a nsenene groundnut stew. I have tested this and it was surely delicious.
