Nsenene (Grasshoppers) are a Ugandan delicacy.

Grasshoppers, locally known as nsenene in Uganda, is considered to be the most delicious Ugandan foods and are seasonally harvested in March, April, May, November, and December.

This is one of the biggest economic activity in Uganda in November and December as may people rash into harvesting and selling of nsenene.

That is why I have written about it because it is the business that people are doing on the streets of Kampala.

Selling nsenene on the streets of Kampala.

You will not find Nsenene on the Menu at most restaurants but find people sell them on the streets of every town in Uganda.

Nsenene lovers will pay a steep price just to get a meal of hoppers.

In November Nsenene caused the price of meat in most parts of the country to go down from 10,000/= Ugx to 5000/= Ugx, because people prefer eating the hoppers to meat as its cheaper.

It’s been of recent that women in Uganda started eating these grasshoppers.

In earlier days it was a prohibitable for a woman to eat nsenene, so the would go with the kids to look for them but never eat, nsenene was for their husband and boys.
Harvest grasshoppers- through the use of iron sheets and lights at night but back in days they used to ran after them.

New methods of harvesting nsenene.

Old methods of harvesting nsenene.

Nsenene is almost never eaten raw below is the process of preparing nsenene.

1. Pluck wings and limbs off
2. Soak in water for 15-20 minutes
3. Drain the water from the pan.
4. Salt and onions if you like seasoning.
5. Fry until golden brown over medium heat.
6. Done now one can eat.