[Yamagata Prefecture] Insect food, which is attracting attention in SDGs, has a connection to Yamagata! Introducing traditional foods such as locust tsukudani

As the world's population continues to increase, there are concerns about various problems. One of those problems is food.

Many people around the world suffer from hunger, and there are concerns that as the population continues to grow, we Japanese may find ourselves in a situation where we cannot obtain food.

Japan in particular relies on imports for many ingredients, and there are many ingredients that cannot be obtained without purchasing them from abroad. Eating insects is attracting attention at SDG's in order to solve this food problem .

When many people hear the word insect eating for the first time, they may think it's disgusting and have a negative image. However, in Yamagata Prefecture, there has been a tradition of eating insects such as locusts boiled in tsukudani since ancient times.

We will introduce traditional foods such as locust tsukudani, as well as cricket farming, which has started in recent years, and snacks made using the crickets. There is also a vending machine where anyone can buy it, so if you are interested, please go and check it out.

Locust tsukudani is an important protein for people in rural areas

Yamagata Prefecture is not the only prefecture where locust tsukudani It has been eaten for a long time in areas with little access to the sea, such as Nagano, Fukushima, and Gunma prefectures.

Locusts are rich in protein. Among the foods we usually eat, those that contain a lot of protein include meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products. These foods were extremely valuable after the war. Therefore, it is said that they ate locusts as a source of nutrition.

Also, locusts are pests for rice. Locusts eat the leaves and stems of rice, hindering its growth. Farmers have long been plagued by damage caused by locusts. Therefore, if you catch them, the damage to your rice will be reduced, and if you eat them, you will get nutrients, so you can kill two birds with one stone.

Cooking it in tsukudani would keep it for a long time and would be a convenient way to get protein in the winter. It was a valuable preserved food at a time when home appliances were not as widespread as they are now.

For these various reasons, people in Yamagata Prefecture have been eating locust tsukudani for a long time.

I used to make locust tsukudani at home. I've also heard stories of people walking along the rice fields and catching a lot of flying locusts, and when they brought them home, their parents made them for them. However, there are probably very few people who make locust tsukudani at home anymore. Even if you live in Yamagata Prefecture, there may be people who have never eaten it.

Some people may say, ``I'm interested, but I don't want to make it...'' Locust tsukudani can also be purchased online. The taste is really just tsukudani, without any bitterness. Why not try it at least once?

However, please note that people with allergies to shellfish such as shrimp cannot eat this.

Successful farming of crickets! Transform into a delicious snack? !

crickets are farmed in Shinjo City, Yamagata Prefecture

Higent Co., Ltd. which handles plating and ceramic products, has started ``cricket farming'' as part of SDG's initiatives

Hygent Technology Co., Ltd.'s Yamagata factory , and has successfully cultivated two types of crickets. It can be purchased in three forms: frozen, dried, and powdered.

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