Located in the suburbs, of Nghi Kim commune, Vinh city, Nghe An is a semi-agricultural commune with a market specializing in selling “flying shrimp” specialties.
At this time, at the intersection area, hamlet 11, Nghi Kim commune, Vinh city, Nghe An, there is a market specializing in trading green locusts, known locally as “flying shrimp”.
Mr. Nguyen Van Khiem, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Nghi Kim commune, Vinh city, said that every year, when the locust season comes, the people of Nghi Kim commune pull together to go all over the province. go to Thanh Hoa or to Ha Tinh … to hunt green locusts to sell.
“The autumn buying and hunting of green locusts is concentrated in the 6th, 7th and 8th months of the lunar calendar every year. At this time, the green locusts reproduce quickly, are fat, delicious meat, no fishy smell.” Mr. Khiem said.
According to Khiem, green locusts are processed into nutritious dishes. “In the past, in the years of poverty, there was no food, grandparents and parents often went to catch this green locust to roast it with rice and raise the cubs. Now this country dish has become a specialty.” Mr. Khiem said.
Green locusts usually live in thick, tall bushes. To catch large numbers of locusts, hunters can use a bamboo pole, one end to connect to a racket made of a thin net, and then use a flashlight to shine on the branches and rackets. Every night, skilled workers can racket even green locusts’ nests.
As noted by the reporter, these days at the market in Nghi Kim commune, people sell green locusts in quite large quantities. Each net bag contains about 5-10kg of green locusts.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh Thuong, a seller of locusts, shared: “Usually we buy them from people, then we sort them out, pick up dead ones and throw them away, then recruit big ones and sell them at high prices. from 350,000-400,000 VND/kg; mixed types sell for about 250,000-300,000 VND/kg”.
In this unique market, sellers do not need to invite, customers who come to Nuoc Nuoc by themselves, and choose to buy “flying shrimp”.
Mr. Phan Van Ngoc, residing in Nghi Trung commune, Nghi Loc district, Nghe An said: “In order to get green locusts as bait for drinking, I have to get up early in the morning to go to this market to buy. If you want to drink delicious food, you have to cook it quite elaborately, roasting lemon leaves.”
According to Mr. Ngoc, before processing, locusts must have their wings, front and rear legs removed and their intestines removed. After finishing, soak the locusts with salt water for 3-5 minutes, then take them out and wash them again.
The locusts are then put in a pot to boil for about 5 minutes. While boiling, add lemongrass and lime leaves. Next, take out the locusts to drain and then deep-fry them. Then, season with spicy chili, pepper, thinly sliced lemongrass, toothpicks, add a little sugar, a little fish sauce…
The locusts, which were considered natural enemies, and specialized in destroying crops, have now become a specialty dish, loved by many people. The “flying shrimp” season also creates jobs and helps people in Nghi Kim commune have a significant source of income.