The Canadian National Exhibition is known for its peculiar tastes. At the end of each summer, the exhibitions grounds around Toronto FC's stadium comes to life, adorned with lights, rides, and all the usual carnival fare.
Every year there are some wacky food options available, from deep-fried butter to bacon-flavored everything.
This year, nestled among the stalls housed in the massive food building meters from the North End of BMO Field, there's one of the most unique vendors yet. Bug Bistro offers food flavored with insects, be they meal worms or crickets, on hots dogs, tacos, desserts, and smoothies.
Insects make up a massive portion of Earth's biomass; ants and rermites alone account for 30 percent of the dry mass. They are much more efficient converters of inputs to nutritional outcome, offering up great gains for food sustainability. And they can be cultural delicacies, in some parts of the world.
Toronto is not traditionally one of those parts -- but fans could have checked it out for themselves before this past Saturday's Toronto FC home game. So why not give it a go?
Photo by James Grossi
The verdict?
Eminently doable, but not really a taste sensation; don't run out to find naturally sourced crickets to try this at home. Spiced and roasted, the crickets were pleasantly crunchy, with just a slight hint of lime, pairing well with the crisp cabbage and zing of Tabasco sauce. Honestly, the largest hurdle was the mental one.
All told it was akin to a tiny exotic adventure in the midst of the city – exhilarating, if a touch terrifying as well. And should the worst befall humanity, rest calmly in the knowledge that at least there will be plenty to eat.
Toronto FC's got this weekend off, but fans in the area can still scoop up a cricket dog, as the exhibition runs through Sept. 5.
