25/02/2016
Today we're featuring a delightful delicacy of this region LA HORMIGA CULONA (BIG ASS ANTS)....
Yes, for those who first hear or see this issue of the South American nature, I tell them that is edible and delicious; some say tastes like peanuts. Actually, that's not true! The tarantulas if you know peanuts (but that's another story that's beside the point).
The big ass ants, are consumed in the Colombian Andean Region, especially in the Department of Santander, (tourist destination for adventure sports, meditation and golf).
At the time of April to June every year, this curious animal, out of their nests in Santanderean mountains and is collected in a traditional way by farmers in the region. The technique used is based on basic strategies; you do not need to be a "general three suns" to wield an attack this tender animal.
In April come the rainy season and heavy rains in the region, this adds up to is the time that ants use for mating and migration ant; is that: "The mounds were becoming excited" and leave out of his bowels all kinds of ants because ant flood and leave to dry, to clean, to mate and bring provisions, (yes each ant, or ant It has its mission).
Part of the strategy is the knowledge that is transmitted through generations among farmers that allow these anthills grow their land, because we have to control them they do not allow the holding of crops close to their surroundings.
But go with the whole story: The rain and sunshine make the perfect combination when you expect a harvest of ants. Torrential rains, especially the night before or two nights maximum, make the anthill excite and start the revolution within it. Worker ants out for warmth and green leaves of the trees, to take the mound, just as carrying sticks, straw shacks and everything they in their wide range of food products and usable deem necessary.
With these ants leave foremen or soldiers, known popularly as big heads, which have one, bigger than the head of the workers, but with body bodybuilder featherweight, ie the head is too big bright red head that little body ... but do not get bitten by them, then they cut the skin with the power of his claws.
When everything is ready, and the sun appears with a pleasant warmth, as to "dry ants" depart recognized, popular B***y Ants. Well, as impressive as these beings out of the ground, by "snouts" (holes) of the nests is not imagine. Unusually out by hundreds and thousands (if we are in a good ant).
These ants have wings and are impressively large, reaching up to 2.5 cm long and a thickness of up to one cubic centimeter in the thickest part. This ant is female and has the genetic ability to create your own ant, which is fantastic: Each ant of these can make a colony, which will leave many like her to do so again, provided this cycle many times and multiplied by hundreds.
Ants go flying and do not go alone on this journey, and behind them enthusiastically, proceed breeding males that are "ugly" compared with slender assed ant. It turns out that these males are smaller, winged like a dark brown, almost black, with villi as s***f blond color. I particularly admire, they are celibate throughout his life and in his last hours of life, flying to heaven exploit their male s***m to females flying ants. I admire this creature, but do not share their way of life!
Well ... back to the topic, when ants come to this sexless and simple procedure to expel a substance from their tails and female ants below are "Bridal Shower" from his companions ... in a boring o**y, because there is no physical contact . And finally the male exhausted by his arduous love affair ends up dying to end their lives under the green meadows of the fields and sometimes in sheds of houses and sidewalks in the villages.
On the other hand the collection of the ant is an epic worthy of being taken to the pages of a book of legends Lilliputian battle. It's really a constant slaughter of espadrilles (traditional peasant shoe) on these ants, as the farmer must take care to gather with open hands all the ants you can save in his sack and worry about the attacks of the workers and soldiers of associated form and as if there was a bugle attack the intruder. I assure you that if the intrepid who dares to this curious hunt, must be willing to peck at the ankles, in the "stringer" in the knees of the legs and if neglected until the highest and most delicate parts.
And the last option of defense is the intention of the assed ant to get out of the sack or bite with their strong grip or spike his giant opponent.
In this collection a group of men can lower the people of his village some pounds of ants, to the extent that this market becomes a Persian-market where ants pound sells for an average of $ 15 alive .
Who buys takes a very similar procedure to the traditional way of roasting coffee and homemade peanut; but that is part of the next story.
When you make your visit to Bucaramanga, San Gil, Barichara, Chicamocha National Park or another city or tourist site Santander, ask at your hotel or tour guides, where and how to purchase this snack.
