Dried · Market Delicacy
Ifinkubala (dried caterpillars)
🐛
Photo coming soon
Dried caterpillars are more than half protein by dry weight, which is why they are valued as food rather than treated as a novelty.
Ifinkubala are caterpillars harvested from miombo woodland trees, then cleaned, boiled, and sun-dried before being sold loose by the cup in markets. Cooks fry or rehydrate them and typically serve them with tomato and onion alongside nshima.
Why it's made this way: Originating largely among the Bemba people of northern Zambia, harvesting seasonal caterpillars turned an abundant wild resource into an important source of protein and market income during the harvest season.
Roughly what's in it
170kcal
25gprotein
3gcarbs
7gfat
Estimated per typical street-vendor portion — not lab-tested.
More from Zambia
Part of World of Street Food — 3443 dishes from 118 countries.
Something wrong here? Tell us in the comments below.
Photo credits.