Chicatana Ants

Chicatana Ants (hormigas chicatanas) are a rare Mexican delicacy — not only do they fly, they also bite! These edible insects are collected in select parts of the country only once or twice a year during the first major rains of the season — that’s to say, a narrow geographic region within an even narrower window of time. Ours are sourced from coastal Oaxaca and dry toasted on the comal. Enjoyed in a salsa chicatana or accompanied by mezcal, Chicatanas are a salty, smoky tradition.