Odd question, but is there a way to tell if American grasshoppers are kasheir? They are obliterating the tomato plants, and there has been talk around the house of turning them into dinner!

Excellent question. Except for the basics that every Jewish household knows, I refer unusual and technical questions about ka•shᵊr•utꞋ to Moderate / Modern Orthodox rabbis (which, BTW, is what Jewish households also do – inquiring of their own rabbis, not always Moderate or Modern of course, when they encounter something unusual).

Some species are kâ•sheirꞋ while others are not. You'll probably either need to photograph a couple close-up, or ask a local university entomologist to identify the species, and include the species or photo in an email inquiry to Moderate / Modern Orthodox rabbis. Rabbis at Yeshivah University would be the ideal authorities if you can find an on-line "Ask the rabbi" link in their website. They can either advise you whether they are kâ•sheirꞋ or advise you the criteria to make that determination yourself.

If they turn out to be kâ•sheirꞋ, I included several recipes in pâ•râsh•atꞋ Bo.

Let us know how it turns out.