How to Prepare Crunchy Termite Snacks (Sweet Mouth Treat)
One night, I was jolted from my sleep by a strange rustling noise on the roof. At first, I dismissed it as birds or lizards — nothing unusual for nightfall. After tossing and turning for a while, I managed to doze off again.
But just as I was sinking back into sleep, another noise startled me. Frustrated, I dragged myself out of bed to investigate. There, in the hallway, I found my 5-year-old son energetically slamming his slippers on the floor.
“What are you doing?” I asked, rubbing my sleepy eyes.
“Mummy, I’m killing cockroaches!” he replied proudly.
I moved closer, and to my surprise — it wasn’t cockroaches at all. They were edible termites! I screamed, “Stop! Don’t kill them — these are Ndube! We can eat them!” I hadn’t eaten termites in years, but I remembered how my grandma used to prepare them when I was a child.
So, with excitement (and a little nostalgia), I decided to make my first batch of this crispy delicacy.
🧂 Recipe: Crunchy Termites (a.k.a Sweet Mouth Snack)
Ingredients:
-
Freshly caught termites 🐜
A pinch of salt
-
Ground dry pepper (optional, for heat)
👩🏽🍳 Method:
-
Catch the Termites:
These insects are naturally attracted to light, especially after a heavy downpour.
I placed a white basin half-filled with water under a fluorescent bulb and left it overnight. By morning, it was filled with fresh termites!Tip: You can also hang a fine mesh net close to the light source to catch them more cleanly and help with removing the wings.
-
Remove the Wings:
Carefully pull off the wings. This part requires some patience — or if you're feeling lazy, fry them with the wings and blow them off afterward. -
Clean Them Up:
Wash the termites in water with a pinch of salt to remove sand or debris. Rinse thoroughly. -
Dry & Fry:
Let the water drain, then pour the termites into a dry frying pan.
Place on low heat and stir continuously so they roast evenly without burning. -
Season:
Sprinkle in a pinch of salt and ground dry pepper (if you like a bit of a kick). Stir until they’re golden, crispy, and aromatic.
✨ Ta-da! Your Crunchy Termite Snack is Ready!
These bite-sized delights are super crispy, nutty, and packed with flavor. Perfect as a quick snack or even a protein-rich treat with your favorite drink.
📝 A Few Notes:
-
Termites usually appear during rainy season, typically after a heavy downpour — sometimes 2 or 3 times a year.
-
They are a rich source of protein, vitamins, and minerals — nature’s underrated superfood!
-
In Nigeria:
-
Hausa: Shinge
-
Yoruba: Esunsun
-
Annang/Ibibio: Ndube
-
Do you have another way of preparing Ndube or termite snacks? I’d love to hear it! Share your recipe with me in the comments or message.