A Florida man has gone viral after sharing his recipe for a green iguana, an invasive species causing damage across the state, and encouraging residents to turn the pest into a meal.During a recent cold snap, reptiles were shocked by the cold, causing many to fall from trees. Some locals started collecting them for meat. While many people stick to dishes like iguana tacos, Ryan decided to cook his catch in waffles. “I feel good,” he told viewers in a video posted online.Video shared by Complex shows Ryan preparing iguana meat in a Waffle House parking lot. He explains his marinade, saying, “I marinate these iguana legs in some buttermilk, pickle juice and some seasonings for 24 hours.” At one point, a Waffle House employee came outside and saw what he was doing and was shocked. He asked Ryan if he really wanted to eat the dish.In Florida, green iguanas are considered a nuisance. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission notes that they can cause damage to vegetation and can damage sidewalks, canal banks and other infrastructure by burrowing. They are herbivorous, but researchers have found the remains of tree snails in the stomachs of some green iguanas, suggesting they may also threaten endangered native species.Humans may also be at risk because green iguanas can spread salmonella to people who come into contact with contaminated water or surfaces.Officials often encourage the consumption of invasive species as a way to control populations while providing a cost-effective food source. Ryan’s cooking experiments demonstrate this approach. “This is a great way to help eliminate invasive populations while reducing your grocery bill,” experts say. Similar strategies work for other invasive species, such as the Himalayan blackberry in the Pacific Northwest.
