Oak Park residents celebrate the arrival of cicadas with a tasting party

May 24, 2007 (WLS) -- With the arrival of the 17-year cicadas in the Chicago area, some people in the suburbs have decided to throw a party to welcome the arrival of "Brood 13" - as these cicadas are called.

Marilyn Pocius of Oak Park has been waiting 17 years to throw a dinner party that would give many the creeps because her entree is creeping.

"Most of the world eats bugs so it is no big deal," Pocius said. "To me, they don't look any scarier than raw oysters, which I eat."

One could argue that shrimp aren't very attractive either so at Marilyn's party there won't be popcorn shrimp, but there will be plenty of cicadas - pre-boiled, then lightly coated in tempura batter and fried for an unusual taste treat.

"(They) are kind of crunchy at first and there really was a kind of peanut-buttery taste to them, which was not unpleasant," said dinner guest Dave Hammond.

That's a matter of personal opinion and there's more on this adventurous menu: a fried cicada sushi wrap. The sushi will have a little bite but cicadas don't bite at all.

"Once you've gotten past your inhibitions," said dinner guest Cathy Lambrecht. "There's really nothing to it."

Nothing brings guests to a summer party like cicadas on the grill.

For starters, there were also cicada canapés and all of it washed down with cicada cocktails.

Have you seen the cicadas? We want to see your photos! Submit a photo here and watch the ABC7 News. You might see your photo used on air.

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