Some delicacies might just be better off out of your stomach. From animals that aren't killed before being served to stuff that might just put you in the grave, join me as we count down 15 of the strangest foods this world has to offer.
#15: Bugs
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| When this is the least strange thing on our list, you know something's up! |
In some parts of the worlds, insects, arachnids and myriapods are eaten as a delicacy. Be it roasted ants, deep fried tarantulas or even scorpions stuffed inside lollipops, these dishes come in all shapes, sizes and forms.
#14: Frog legs
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| I bet these frogs' last words were "My legs"! |
True to its title, this dish is the severed and cooked legs of a frog. This dish is typically eaten in France and China and it is rich in protein, omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin A and potassium.
#13: Escargot
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| Gary ain't gonna like this one bit! |
This French dish is made up of cooked land snails. The snails are typically cooked in garlic butter, chicken stock or wine and served with Hors d'oeuvre.
#12: Fugu
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| The chef is the difference between you enjoying some sushi and ending up with the worst food poisoning of your life! |
This dish is the prepared meat of a fugu pufferfish. Only chefs with years of experience are allowed to prepare this dish, as this particular fish has a deadly, currently incurable poison in it.
#11: Bird's nest soup
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| Still better than eating the bird's intestines! |
This dish is the result of dissolving a bird's nest in hot water until it has a gelatinous texture. It is priced in China for it's rarity, supposedly high nutritional value, and flavor.
#10: Caviar
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| A thousand bucks for this?! |
Essentially this dish consists salt-cured fish eggs. Despite the unappetizing description, this dish is considered a delicacy and is normally eaten by rich people.
#9: Lutefisk
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| Last I checked, industrial chemicals are the last things we want near our sushi! |
This dish is the result of fish being dried very thoroughly and allowed to rot slightly, then soaked in lye (a powerful industrial chemical) and smoked, followed by being soak in water to remove the lye. It is made in Scandinavia and traditionally served with mashed potatoes.
#8: Sannakji
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| If he's going to the afterlife, he's making sure you go as well! |
Made in Korea, this dish is made of the still moving tentacles of a small octopus that has been killed, cut up and covered in sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds. The tentacles move after death in this case because of the octupus' complex nervous systems. This after death movement makes this dish dangerous to eat, as the tentacles can get stuck to the side of the throat and choke the diner.
#7: Hakarl
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| Can't you just smell it? Better question: Do you want to smell it? |
This Icelandic dish is made up of sleeper sharks that have been cured with a particular fermentation process and hung out for 4 to 5 months. It has a strong ammonia-scent and fishy flavor.
#6: Rocky Mountain Oysters
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| Oh this just hurts to look at! |
Despite the name, the morsels in the picture aren't oysters. Instead, they are the skinned and deep fried testicles of a bull.
#5: Century Egg
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| The optional last step is to puke till your organs become brightly colored! |
This Chinese dish is the result of preserving an egg in clay and ash for several weeks or even months until it turns a darker color and develops a creamy consistency and strong flavor.
#4: Casu marzu
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| You can't see the maggots, but they can see you! |
This dish is the result of sheep's milk being filled with maggots to ferment it. It originated in Italy or France and is typically eaten in Sardinian. Quick note: It is possible for the maggots to survive in your intestines.
#3: Fried brain sandwich
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| What are we, zombies?! |
As the name suggests, this sandwich contains the fried brains of a cow or pig. Not much more I can say.
#2: Haggis
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| Talk about using every last part of the animal! |
This savory pudding is made up of the heart, liver and lungs of a sheep minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices and salt, then mixed with stock and cooked while traditionally encased in the animal's stomach, though nowadays an artificial casing is often used. It has been a popular dish in Scotland for a really long time.
#1: balut
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| It just winked at me! |
This dish is the result of boiling a bird egg with the developing embryo inside it. It is popular in the Philipines and considered by Vietnamese to be a restorative food for pregnant or developing women.
Here's to hoping I didn't ruin Thanksgiving dinner for you. I know I missed more than a few treats (if you can call them that), so some suggestions in the comment section would be appreciated. I'll see you later. Have a happy Thanksgiving.
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