This is a Guest post by Julia Dawson.
There are a lot of gluttons around the globe who like to indulge in various cuisines from all over the world. However, there are such, who are so adventurous, that they are willing to push things to the extreme and try some of the most bizarre dishes one could possibly imagine. Such meals are not necessarily delicious, but can definitely be described as weird. Adventurous types are even willing to travel to foreign countries so that they could have a taste of their culinary oddities.
Here are a couple of traditional dishes that are quite bizarre.
1. Cambodia – Fried tarantulas
Word of warning – these are not the teeny, tiny, thin legged house spiders you've seen around the house. We are talking big, hairy tarantulas here. And even cooked, they still look frightening. And while a tarantula is probably rarely seen where you live, you can buy them by the pound on the streets of Skuon, Cambodia, where dozens of merchants are waiting for hungry passers-by, while holding huge trays filled with fried tarantulas. The spiders are cooked in their whole – fangs, legs, all. These arachnids are taken from the burrow and thrown straight into the pan and fried with a little salt and garlic. The final result is really crispy, but with a gooey substance on the inside.
2. Philippines – Balut
Now this slightly resembles those chocolate eggs with a surprise toy inside. However, after opening one of these eggs, you will not be so pleasantly surprised. What Balut consists of is an egg, along with a fetus of a soon-to-hatch chicken (or duck). It's advisable to have your Balut when the fetus is not older than seventeen days, for after that, it starts developing a beak, feathers and claws. Balut in the Philippines is as popular of a snack as the hot dog is in the United States. This delicacy is prepared with just a little salt, black pepper, lemon juice and coriander. However, some people prefer it with chili and vinegar.
3. Sardinia – Casu Marzu
This a type of cheese, one that's made of sheep's milk. And what's so strange about this, one may ask. Casu Marzu, literally translated, means 'rotten cheese'. And there is a reason for that. This is no ordinary cheese, as it has gone through fermentation, up to the point that it riddled with larvae. And to make everything even more grim, one will have to consume the cheese while the larvae are still alive, for when they die, the delicacy is considered as toxic. There have been reports regarding health issues due to the consumption of this cheese and that's why it’s been widely banned.
4. Japan – Puffer fish
Now this next dish can be either really tasty or literally lethal. Puffer fish are served mainly in Japan, but only in specific restaurants, where there are prepared by expert chefs. Only a specific part of the fish is consumed, for its insides and skin contain todrotoxin, a deadly toxin, a thousand times stronger than cyanide. So, if you plan a trip to Japan and intend to try this dangerous dish, make sure you do it at a reputable restaurant.
5. Sweden – Surstromming
A bizarre and strange dish that is widely distributed in Sweden and can be found even on the supermarket shelves all across the country. What Surstromming is basically fermented herring. The fish is caught during spring, before it has spawned. It is then left for a month or two in barrels until it ferments and is finally tinned. As strange as it may sound, it is often consumed with milk. However, bear in mind that even though these bizarre dishes sound more than unusual to the foreigners, you need not forget that they are considered as more than normal for the locals.
About the Author: Julia Dawson is a writer, traveller and adventured. Currently she is strifing to improve her skills and write the best possible way. Therefore she is searching for new sources of inspiration. Her present article is focused around unuasual culinary vacation destinations related thematic.
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