Xico restaurant features Mexican grasshoppers (chapulines).
The grasshoppers at Xico have been imported from Miami. “They are mass produced in Mexico and then exported to other countries. Because it’s such a delicacy, we decided to introduce it on an experimental basis here,” he says. Hudanish understands that in Mumbai, he’ll be confronted with initial resistance. “Because insects aren’t visually pleasing, we clip their wings and legs so that people don’t get frightened,” he says, exhorting us to try some. The first bite of the guacamole served on tortillas with hoppers is unexpectedly pleasant. The dip is delicious. The grasshoppers don’t have a distinct taste and even the texture is closer to crunchy prawns.
