Yes, flies, as in the buzzing insects everybody loathes

Jul 23, 2015 14:04 GMT  ·  By

Let's face it, our life wouldn't be the same without burgers. Whether with a side of salad or nestled between two slices of bread, topped with a thin coating of mayo, they are among the greatest things ever to come out of a kitchen. 

Now, the traditional recipe for burgers lists beef as the chief ingredient. Folks living in remote Africa, however, make burgers not from dead cows but from dead flies. That's right, flies, as in those nasty, buzzing insects that everyone wishes would just go away.

The recipe is surprisingly simple

Beef burgers can give even the most experienced of chefs a headache, especially when it comes to balancing their fat content and the flavors. The fly burgers eaten by communities living close to Lake Victoria in Africa, however, are fairly easy to make.

Just clump together around 500,000 such insects to create a perfectly round patty and then throw it in a pan and let it cook until it reaches the desired level of crunchiness. That's all it takes.

Interestingly, Oddity Central tells us these fly burgers cooked and served in Africa are a crucial source of nutrients and proteins for the people who eat them. In fact, word has it they are about 7 times more nutritious than regular burgers made of beef.

Where do they get all the flies?

The flies that communities in this remote corner of the world turn into burgers are not just any buzzing insects. They are midges, i.e. miniature flies.

Each year, when rains cause Africa's Lake Victoria to swell up, they breed and form giant swarms. To catch enough such small flying insects to make burgers, people must only fling damp pots and pans through the air. The flies stick to them and so a feast soon follows.

The fly burgers are very nutritious
The fly burgers are very nutritious

Photo Gallery (2 Images)

People in Africa make burgers from flies
The fly burgers are very nutritious
Open gallery