Over the years, “Phane” or “Mashonja” as it is commonly known in Botswana, has become a household name as it is eaten locally at a high rate and in other Southern African countries. It is named for the Mophane tree that the worm feeds on and is normally found in, the Mophane worm is actually not a worm. It belongs to the caterpillar family. Although not what you would expect to see on your plate, they are actually quite beautiful. They are a colourful bright green and red caterpillar found in Southern African countries such as Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa. The Mophane worm is packed with about 60% protein and is crammed with calcium so it’s good for you too. If you can stomach the thought of it, the taste of the worms has been described as burned steak or biltong. Soaking the worms for about half an hour or longer before use can help make them tenderer and easier to swallow. Have you ever tasted it?