Catatos
Fried caterpillars with garlic, a specialty from Angola's Uíge Province
Catatos is a dish from Angola that features caterpillars fried with garlic, sometimes with onion, tomato, or pepper. This food is especially known in Uíge Province and is commonly served with rice or funge, a local staple. Catatos is valued for its high protein and iron content.
- Catatos is made by frying caterpillars with garlic
- It is a traditional dish of Angola's Uíge Province
- Mopane worms are a common type of caterpillar used
- Catatos is often served with funge or rice
- Caterpillars in catatos are high in protein and iron
What is Catatos?
Catatos is a dish from Angola that centers on caterpillars, which are fried with garlic and sometimes other vegetables like onion, tomato, or pepper. The caterpillars are prepared so they are both soft and crisp. The dish is usually eaten with funge, a starchy side made from cassava or corn, or with rice. Catatos is known for being rich in protein, iron, and healthy fats. The flavor is distinctive and the dish is considered a local specialty in Uíge Province.
Where does Catatos come from?
Eating insects has long been part of food traditions in southern Africa, including Angola. In Uíge Province, caterpillars such as mopane worms and several other species are important in rural diets. Mopane worms are widely collected across the region, with billions harvested each year. Gathering methods vary: children may collect caterpillars from trees, while adults search fields or even split open trees to find them. Catatos as a dish reflects these local practices and ingredients.
How is Catatos made?
To make catatos, caterpillars are first cleaned, which can include removing their digestive tract and singeing off any hairs. They are then fried with garlic, and sometimes onion, tomato, or pepper is added for extra flavor. The caterpillars are cooked until they reach a balance of softness and crispness. The finished dish is typically served hot, often over funge or rice, and sometimes accompanied by hot sauce.
How and when is Catatos eaten?
Catatos is eaten as a main meal, usually at lunch or dinner. It is commonly served with funge, a thick porridge made from cassava or corn, or with rice. The dish is part of everyday eating in regions where edible caterpillars are available. People may add hot sauce for extra heat. Catatos is enjoyed in homes and sometimes at gatherings, reflecting local tastes and available ingredients.
Kinds of Catatos
Different types of caterpillars are used in catatos, depending on what is available, such as mopane worms or larvae from other local species. The basic preparation—frying with garlic—remains the same, but cooks may add vegetables like onion, tomato, or pepper to suit their preferences. The dish can also be served with different sides, most often funge or rice.
What Catatos means
Catatos is a key example of insect-based food in Angola, especially in Uíge Province. It highlights the importance of local resources and traditional gathering methods. The dish is valued for its nutritional benefits, especially its high protein and iron content, making it an important part of the diet in some communities. Catatos also reflects broader food customs in southern Africa, where edible insects are a longstanding food source.
Questions people ask about Catatos
What is catatos made of?
Catatos is made from caterpillars fried with garlic, and sometimes includes onion, tomato, or pepper. The caterpillars are cleaned and cooked until they are both soft and crisp.
Where does catatos come from?
Catatos comes from Angola, especially the Uíge Province in the northwest. It is a traditional dish in this region and reflects local food customs.
How is catatos usually served?
Catatos is typically served hot, often over funge, which is a thick porridge made from cassava or corn, or with rice. Hot sauce may be added for extra flavor.
What kind of caterpillars are used in catatos?
Several types of caterpillars can be used, with mopane worms being the most common. Other local species are also used depending on availability.
Is catatos nutritious?
Yes, catatos is high in protein, iron, and polyunsaturated fats. The caterpillars used provide more iron per weight than beef and are a significant source of nutrients in the local diet.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Catatos", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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