Hey Martha!

Tell your 8(soon to be 9) year old son, that in the mexican state of
Oaxaca, a big delicacy is fried crickets.  There are 3 sizes, the smallest
one being the most expensive (probably 'cause you can't even SEE the legs)
and the largest size being the cheapest.  The only drawback to the big
fellas is that those hind legs get sorta stuck between your teeth. (my 17
yr. old son eats them like peanuts...chomp, chomp)

Actually, gals, they *are* very delicious - I understand they let them sit
for 24 hrs. so that they (excuse the expression) poop out (ok -
'eliminate', is that more scientific?) whatever grasshoppers have in their
digestive tract..and then they are gently fried with garlic and some other
seasoning that gives them a reddish color.

When you buy them in this state, you saute them in butter and serve them
with guacamole (avocado sauce) in tortillas.  Great protein source, eh,
gals?

I'll be taking a tour to Oaxaca in Nov. (I'm also a tour operator - our
company is called Ecoturismo Yucatan)...and I'll be sure to ask if the
'chapulines' have any special effect on nursing and milk-production.

Adios!

Roberta