[Food] Some of Strange Foods from Around the World

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It’s amazing what passes for “food” in some parts of the world. The insides of animals that many people would never think of eating, even “live” animals, are delicacies in some countries. Not all of the foods on this list are strictly found in foreign countries, however – the United States has its share of weird foods as well. Here are ten of the strangest foods from around the world.

1. Rocky Mountain Oysters

Rocky Mountain Oysters aren’t really oysters. Rather, they are the name of deep-fried buffalo,boar or bull testicles. Say what?! This food is actually enjoyed in the United States and Canada,where the buffalo still roam. Interested in how to cook rocky mountain oysters? Peel the testicles, boil them, roll them in flour, and fry them. Serve them with a side of cocktail sauce. Chances are, if you don’t tell them, your guests will have absolutely no idea what they’re eating– just that it’s tasty!

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2. Fried Cow Brain Sandwich

This isn’t something you’d typically find on McDonald’s menu. In places such as Missouri,calves’ brains are battered, fried and put on a bun. Other countries, such as El Salvador and Mexico, enjoy using beef brains in tacos and burritos. Brains themselves apparently are said to have little taste and a mushy quality to them (as you can imagine) so if you douse it with hot sauce, you probably won’t even realize you’re eating a poor little calf’s brain.

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3. Hakarl

Hakarl is created by gutting a shark (usually in places like Greenland and Iceland) and fermenting it for two to four months. This fish, as you can imagine, is highly odorous, smelling strongly of ammonia. It is served in cube form on toothpicks in roadside stores and stands. Some, such as the Travel Channel’s Anthony Bourdain, say that hakarl is the most disgusting food in all the world.

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4. Balut

Think you’d like to eat a duck or chicken fetus instead of an egg? If so, you’ll like Balut.Fertilized duck or chicken eggs are boiled just before they’re due to hatch, making the yolk oozes out followed by the fetus. Balut is best enjoyed when the fetus is from 17 to 21 day sold. However, if you wait too long to eat Balut, you might also have a beak, claws, bones and feathers to contend with. This dish is popular in the Philippines and sold on the streets just like hot dogs are sold in the United States. Some people serve Balut with salt and pepper, or even vinegar. Those who enjoy Balut say the way to eat it is to crack open the egg, drink the broth and then eat the yolk and the fetus.

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5. Fried Tarantulas

Cambodians view fried tarantulas as a real delicacy. The tarantulas are fried whole, with legs and fangs included. While once Cambodians ate fried tarantulas just to survive, they are now regarded as a treat, and are often enjoyed by visitors to the country. Those who have eaten them describe fried tarantulas as crispy on the outside and soft and gooey on the inside.

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6. Casu Marzu

Would you like some larvae with your cheese? If so, go to Sardinia or Italy and order casu marzu(also known as maggot cheese). This cheese comes with live insect larvae teeming inside of it.The larvae are added to the cheese to help ferment the cheese. Most people will brush off the larvae before eating the odorous cheese. Because of health issues, casu marzu has been banned in most countries, but can still be found in Sardinia and Italy’s black market.

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7. Sannakji

Live octopus, or Sannakji, is enjoyed in Korea. The octopus is cut up while alive, seasoned and served while it is still squirming on the plate. It is said that this food actually fights back as you try to eat it, with the tentacles sticking to everything trying to survive before being placed inside your mouth. Then, the tentacles will suction to the roof of your mouth, your tongue, and your teeth as you try to choke it down. This is supposed to be part of the joy of eating Sannakji – the squirming of the food inside one’s mouth. However, it could be a real choking hazard if not chewed thoroughly.