ARTS AND CULTURE

Nsenene -A Seasonal Ugandan Delicacy

Nsenene / ensenene are seasonal edible insects or grasshoppers (usually green and brown in color) that are eaten fried by most ugandans.

However in this particular post, i shall refer to them as “nsenene” because using another term would feel like am undermining the love/ taste attached to them by most people in the country.

Our fellow brothers and sisters working and living in diaspora usually pack or ask the people back in the motherland to send them some of these delicious grasshoppers.

In most times they (nsenene) do not pass the international air cargo transit procedures at the various international airports which always disappoints ugandans living abroad.

In the central region, nsenene is such a big deal that in every month of november when the rains begin to fall, these yummy insects start to fly and thus the name “Musenene Rain” season. these seasonal grass hoppers usually fly in areas of the the central region(s) of the country including; Masaka, mitiyana and many other places.

Taboo To Eat Nsenene by ‘Nsenene Clan’ Members!

It’s a taboo to eat nsenene by the nsenene clan members from central region.

Why? – The reason is simple- it is their totem – (a natural object or animal that is believed by a particular society to have spiritual significance and that is adopted by it as an emblem).

How to Prepare Nsenene In Uganda.

1. Ingredients usually are too simplistic-grasshoppers, salt, onion bulbs,(optional include green pepper, raw ginger, carrots, cooking oil).

2. Remove the jumping legs, genitaria (extreme rare tail) and wings from the nsenene.

3. Soak them for about 20 minutes in clean water.

4. Wash or rinse them and rewash about 2-3 times.

5. Chop the onion bulbs and any other ingredient of choice-these are usually optional.

 6. Light a charcoal stove / gas burner or electric cooker with moderate heat.

7. Get a clean sauce pan, add the washed nsenene then place the pan on moderate heat.

8. Add alittle salt to taste and start frying, as the water tends to drying up from the pan, add onions and green pepper plus other ingredients as you may wish.

9. Fry until they turn golden, some want them crunchy others moderate wet , so fry to suite the consumers’ preferred taste.

10.  Serve on small saucers and enjoy the mouthwatering delicacy!

Also read: How To Prepare Pilau (Spiced Plain Rice Or Mixed With Vegetables, Meat or Chicken)

Please look out for the next post by shamirah Naava.

Shamirah Naava

Recent Posts

President Museveni Launches Teso Industrial Hub, Warns Against School Fees in Public Schools

President Yoweri Museveni has inaugurated the Teso Zonal Presidential Industrial Hub in Arapai, Soroti City,…

1 day ago

KCCA Halts Ham Enterprises Projects Over Flooding Concerns in Kampala

The Acting Executive Director of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Frank Rusa, has suspended construction…

1 day ago

Museveni Appoints Prof. Moses Muhwezi as Makerere University Business School Principal

President Yoweri Museveni has appointed Prof. Moses Muhwezi as the principal of Makerere University Business…

2 weeks ago

Uganda Launches TVET Reforms to Boost Employment

The Ugandan government has introduced reforms in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)…

4 weeks ago

Mbarara University Holds 31st Graduation, Welcomes New Vice Chancellor

Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) held its 31st graduation ceremony on 19th October…

1 month ago

Love Languages Unpacked: How to Communicate Love in Ways That Truly Resonate

Discover the five love languages and learn how to communicate love effectively in your relationships.…

1 month ago

This website uses cookies.