KOMPAS.com – Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY), is famous for its unique culinary variety that arouses curiosity.
One of Gunungkidul’s extreme dishes is ungkrung or teak caterpillar cocoons, which are prepared with simple spices, such as garlic and salt.
Even though it sounds challenging, its savory taste and high protein content make ungkrung one of the culinary attractions of this area.
Also read: The delicious taste of teak caterpillars, an extreme culinary delight that appears at the start of every rainy season
What is teak caterpillar cage?
Ungkrung is the local name for teak caterpillar cocoons, which usually appear at the beginning of the rainy season.
Residents in Ngawen District, Patuk, to Srumbung, Gunungkidul, make ungkrung a delicious specialty menu for breakfast or as a side dish for rice.
These cocoons are oval in shape, with various colors such as red or orange, and are the size of a baby’s little finger.
The tradition of ungkrung hunting
Local people usually start searching for shelters early in the morning, especially after dawn.
One of the residents of Pengkok Village, Tri Sutarti, said that he looked for shelter under fallen teak leaves or on tree trunks.
By using his bare hands and plastic as a container, Tri is able to collect up to several kilograms of ungkrung a day.
Also read: Botok Tawon, Extreme Culinary from Banyuwangi
The ungkrung that has been collected is then processed by frying it using simple spices.
Tri said that apart from being consumed, some of the search results were sold at quite high prices, namely around IDR 100,000 per kilogram. This result is a significant additional income for the family.
Taste and benefits of teak caterpillar cocoons
Teak caterpillar ungkrung has a distinctive savory taste, especially after being fried with garlic and salt.
Local residents consider it an excellent source of protein. Kismaya, a resident of Wonosari, Gunungkidul, admitted that he experienced allergies as a child after consuming ungkrung, but now he is used to it and enjoys it without any problems.
Ungkrung or teak caterpillar cocoons, a typical Gunungkidul culinary delight.Head of the Food Crop Division of the Gunungkidul Agriculture and Food Service, Raharjo Yuwono, also emphasized that ungkrung is a protein-rich food that is beneficial for the body.
Ungkrung, extreme culinary delights that are increasingly in demand
The popularity of teak caterpillar ungkrung continues to increase, especially among extreme culinary lovers. Apart from being a typical local dish, ungkrung also complements the variety of unique culinary delights offered in Gunungkidul.
For tourists who want to try something different, ungkrung caterpillar teak can be an unforgettable culinary experience.
Also read: Get to know Ungker, the extreme culinary specialty of Blora
So, if you visit Gunungkidul, there’s no harm in trying this traditional menu. Tourists can get this extreme culinary delight at restaurants or souvenir shops typical of Gunungkidul.
Listen breaking news And selected news we’re right on your phone. Choose your favorite news channel to access Kompas.com WhatsApp Channel: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaFPbedBPzjZrk13HO3D. Make sure you have installed the WhatsApp application.
