Mojojoy

Mojojoy is the name of larvae of different palm weevils found in the Amazon region of Colombia, eaten as food and are known as a pest for various palm species.[1] In Peru, it is known as suri or cocotero.[2] The flavor has had different descriptions including resembling the taste hazelnut or butter.[2] It is also considered a sustainable food source.[2]

Mojojoy
Rhynchophorus ferrugineus larvae
Place of originColombia, Peru
Region or stateAmazon
Main ingredientsbeetle larvae

Characteristics

They are the larvae of Ancognatha scarabaeoides[3] and Rhynchophorus palmarum[4] which are considered pests that can attack crops, destroying them partially or totally, or affecting them from the root.[1] The weevils burrow into the aguaje tree, lays eggs, and after hatching, the grubs feed on the oily bark.[2] It is speculated that the fatty flavor comes from this.[2]

Consumption
Suri served in Iquitos

It can be eaten alive or prepared by different methods of cooking; most commonly they are roasted or fried, grilled on a skewer, or stuffed with beef, chicken or fish.[1][4][5] To eat raw, the head, pincers, and intestines are removed and the contents are sucked out.[2] It can be prepared in the anticucho style, which is grilling after marination. Chicharrón de suri is a dish where the grubs are seasoned with salt and garlic, then fried with green plantains.[2]

Nutrition

The larvae are a good source of protein, vitamins A and E, and beta-carotene.[2]

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Suri (food).
  1. "Culinaria del Amazonas, la más Exótica". Marca País Colombia (in Spanish). 2017-06-28. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  2. "Suri Grubs". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  3. Marino, Paula; Villamizar, Laura; Espinel, Carlos; Cotes, Alba Marina (1990-01-06). "Caracterización de prototipos de bioplaguicidas granulados a base de Metarhizium anisopliae para el control de Ancognatha scarabaeoides (Coleóptera: Nelolonthidae)". Revista Colombiana de Entomología (in Spanish). 30 (1): 43–49. ISSN 0120-0488. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  4. "APROXIMACIÓN AL RECONOCIMIENTO DEL POTENCIAL ZOOTÉCNICO DE LARVAS DE Rhynchophorus palmarum (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE) EN EL MUNICIPIO DE LETICIA - AMAZONAS, COLOMBIA". Fundación Alejando Ángel Escobar - Para fomentar y difundir la investigación, la ciencia y la solidaridad en Colombia (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  5. Abadía, Ximena; Pazos, Sonia; Castillo, Silvana; Pachón, Helena (September 2010). "Alimentos autóctonos de las comunidades indígenas y afrodescendientes de Colombia". Archivos Latinoamericanos de Nutrición. 60: 211–219.
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