A Florida man has gone viral after sharing his recipe for green iguana, an invasive species that is causing damage across the state, encouraging residents to turn the insect into food.During the recent cold snap, the reptiles became stunned by the cold, causing many to fall from the trees. Some local people have started collecting them for meat. While many stick to dishes like iguana tacos, one man, Ryan, decided to cook his catch with 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. “I soaked these iguana legs in some buttermilk, pickle juice and some spices for 24 hours,” he said, explaining his marinade. At one point, a Waffle House employee came out to see what he was doing and was shocked. He asked if Ryan was actually going to eat the dish.Green iguanas are considered a nuisance in Florida. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission notes that they damage vegetation and can destroy sidewalks, canal banks and other infrastructure by burrowing. They are herbivores, but researchers have found the remains of tree snails in the stomachs of some green iguanas, which suggests they may also be a threat to endangered native species.Humans may also face health risks, as green iguanas can transmit salmonella to people who come in contact with contaminated water or surfaces.Authorities 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 also reducing grocery bills,” experts say. Similar strategies are used for other invasive species, such as Himalayan blackberry in the Pacific Northwest.