Ingredients: Ground-dwelling yellow jackets

Directions: Although the mention of “yellow jacket soup” immediately raises an eyebrow on those unaccustomed to such a food, it is actually a delicacy and should not be criticized until tried. Only the bravest should dare to try this dish!! Secure an entire nest of ground dwelling yellow jackets when it is full of grubs. Loosen all the uncovered grubs by heating and removing them. Heat the nest with the remaining grubs over a fire until the thin, paper-like covering parches. Pick out the yellow jackets and brown them over the fire. Cook the browned yellow jackets in boiling water to make soup and season to taste.

Note: Yellow jackets are easily angered and swarm. Obtaining a nest of these insects should only be done ... by people who are experienced in collecting insects.

If any traditional Cherokees who know the proper manner in which to “secure an entire nest of ground-dwelling yellow jackets when it is full of grubs” happen to read this column, I’d very much like to hear from them.