You’ve probably heard of (and maybe even tried) some pretty strange food from other countries. For example, have you ever tried fermented fish? Or perhaps you’re a fan of drinking insects? Perhaps you’ve even tried raw goose or eel liver before. If so, that makes you much more adventurous than most people! Weird foods are usually associated with poorer societies and poverty in general.
After all, it isn’t exactly easy to find markets selling roe from codfish or pickled cephalopods on any day of the week. However, as times change and our knowledge about nutrition expands, we are learning that there is nothing weird about these foods after all—just unfamiliar to most Western palates.
What is considered weird food?
What makes food weird? Is it only the unfamiliarity of the dish? Is it its very existence? Or is it a combination of both of these factors? For the sake of this article, we’ll be focusing on foods that are unfamiliar to most Western palates, while also being eaten in large quantities by certain groups of people.
Fugu: The Japanese pufferfish
The Japanese pufferfish, or fugu, is a type of fish that has a dangerously high level of a deadly toxin. This toxin has been known to kill many people who have ingested it, while others have survived it with extensive medical attention. However, people who study fugu have learned how to remove the toxin, or at least the lethal parts of it, without destroying the flavor of the fish. Because of this, fugu has become one of the most prized and expensive seafood in the world.
Haggis: Scotland
Haggis is a traditional Scottish dish made from sheep’s hearts, livers, and lungs. These organs are all diced up, mixed with oatmeal, spices, and stock, and then baked inside the sheep’s stomach. Haggis is frequently eaten with mashed potatoes and served with a side of turnips or carrots. This food is often eaten while watching a sport such as a cricket, click here and eat while betting on the sport. How exciting!
Frog-eating contest: Costa Rica
The Costa Rican frog-eating contest is a sight to behold. For two weeks every year, hundreds of people gather in a small town to eat as many frogs as possible. While this may not sound very strange—people eat frogs in many different countries—the way these people consume the frogs may be shocking to many: eaten whole, bones and all.
Scallops: Mexico
Scallops are a type of sea snail that is usually eaten steamed or stir-fried. However, in Mexico, scallops are served raw or in ceviche—a type of seafood salad with citrus juices. Scallops are also often served with onions and lime juice. Ceviche is a Mexican dish where seafood or fish is “cooked” in citrus juices—usually lime. This tenderizes the seafood and “cooks” it without actually raising its temperature.
Barracuda: Fiji and other Pacific nations
Barracuda is a type of fish that most people have probably seen in a tank at some point. It’s a common fish kept by aquarium owners all over the world. However, in the Pacific region, barracuda is eaten as a delicacy. It is also sometimes served as sashimi—raw fish or meat sliced into very thin pieces.
Octopus and Calamari Sushi: Japan
Octopus and calamari are two of the most common types of seafood served raw in Japanese sushi restaurants. Both of these types of seafood are usually thoroughly chopped up and then served with rice in a sushi roll. Octopus is sometimes served in a tamagoyaki—a type of omelet made with a special kind of Japanese rice. Octopus and calamari are also often served as sashimi—raw fish or meat sliced into very thin pieces.
Insects: Worldwide and especially in Africa
Insects are eaten in many different cultures, but the most famous insect-eating cultures are in Africa. Insects such as termites, crickets, and mealworms are often served raw, either by themselves or as a garnish in a larger dish. In addition to being eaten, insects are sometimes also used as a source of protein in baked goods and other foods such as cookies.
Raw Food – sashimi, sushi, etc
Sashimi and sushi are both foods that are eaten raw. Sashimi is raw fish or meat, cut into very thin slices. Sushi is a Japanese dish consisting of rice and raw or lightly cooked fish or seafood. It is sometimes also served with other ingredients, such as vegetables, or as a wrap. Sashimi and sushi are both very popular foods eaten in many countries.
While they may sound strange to those who eat their cooked fish, these dishes are perfectly safe to eat if the fish is fresh and has been handled properly. Raw meat – yukhoe, kib Raw meat dishes are not as common as raw seafood dishes. However, some cultures eat meat that has been served raw. Examples of this include yukhoe in Korea and kib in Ethiopia. Yukhoe is a dish made with chopped raw beef, while kib is a dish made with chopped raw goat or sheep’s liver.
Conclusion
While many of these foods may seem strange to us, they are eaten all over the world by many different cultures. Also, many of these foods have rich histories and have been eaten for centuries. It is important to remember that just because a certain food is unfamiliar to us, that doesn’t mean that it is unhealthy or unsafe to eat. It is also important to remember that just because food is strange doesn’t mean you have to try it. There is nothing wrong with eating what you know and enjoying it. Most people like to meet in eating forums to talk about sports. Parimatch is an amazing website that encourages sports bettors to wager on and earn money to enjoy food. Join the wave!
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