Cricket Season

It's cricket season here in Kratie, Cambodia. The kind of crickets that land without warning and can take off equally as fast. The people of Kratie - kids, young adults, older adults - can oftentimes be even faster. They spend whole evenings attempting to and capturing these big insects. They do it when they're not doing their real jobs, like manning a fruit stall or internet shop. Cricket capturers of Kratie even hang out on rooftops of buildings - open, flat space free of such obstacles as scooters or competition. When they see the cricket land, they'll pounce on them. If successful, the caught insect is usually stuffed through the mouth of an empty plastic water bottle, joining its friends and family members in a growing pile of writing and squirming. It's of no use though. The fate of these captured crickets is to a frying pan coated with oil. A pile of them at a time will be fried, tossed around until ready, salted, and served in a shallow bowl or sold in a plastic bag.

Scott and I got to try some at a small shop near one of the ferry landings just outside Kratie. We stopped to buy some cold drinks and a quick snack. The family there were munching on these cooked critters and kindly offered us some.Fried crickets are bite-sized, crunchy, and tasty - a perfect savory snack.