301742 Wed Mar 22 13:11:05 -0800 2006 35 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 1684279 Stumbled across this on the BBC website this morning... quite a handy little checklist, though certain items (Guinea Pig? Kangaroo??) may not be crossed off as speedily. Well, I guess if it's deep fried in lard... Link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/tv_and_radio/50eats_index.shtml Wed Mar 22 13:11:05 -0800 2006 0 sebastianxy 1 1684286 That's a really stupid list. They mixed up "things" with cuisine. Chinese or Mexican food is not a "thing". Wed Mar 22 14:22:46 -0800 2006 1684279 0 Peter 1 1684289 I think it's a perfectly dandy list. It's also kinda fun to realize that there are only nine items I haven't had, and they're all things I WANT to try! Wed Mar 22 14:46:31 -0800 2006 1684279 0 Will Owen 2 1684301 I am missing 3, haggis, reindeer and guinea pig. Yep, I would try them if given the chance, although I have real doubts about the haggis, my apologies to my Scottish ancestors... Wed Mar 22 15:34:34 -0800 2006 1684289 0 Tee 3 1684304 Haggis isn't bad at all. Reminds me of scrapple. Wed Mar 22 15:56:56 -0800 2006 1684301 0 Homer J 4 1684306 Not bad at all, in fact rather tasty and I usually will only eat organ meats if it foie gras or sweetbreads. Wed Mar 22 16:03:11 -0800 2006 1684304 0 Candy 5 1684392 I am greatly encouraged...yes, I figured it'd be a lot like scrapple (which I DO love), except with oats instead of cornmeal, and then I saw a recipe for a kind of scrapple made...with oatmeal! Called "ponhaws", or something like that. Now all I need to do is find a source for haggis in LA... And then we can work on the guinea pig, the kangaroo... Thu Mar 23 14:33:24 -0800 2006 1684306 0 Will Owen 6 1684394 Skip the 'roo, it's lean, tough and strong flavored. Good for the life list, bad for the taste buds. I was "mates" with some professional kangaroo hunters and had access to very fresh meat. Most bush meat is tough (including cattle and mutton, the exception being lamb) due to the harshness of the enviroment and the scarcity of food. Thu Mar 23 14:47:23 -0800 2006 1684392 0 Tee 6 1684404 Cincinnati has Goetta which is like Scrapple made with oats. Thu Mar 23 19:57:09 -0800 2006 1684392 0 Candy 4 1684459 Reminded me of cooked mince, but with a slightly greasier, earthier flavour (like liver). You couldn't see/feel the oats in it. Very nice on a baked potato. Sat Mar 25 01:04:45 -0800 2006 1684304 0 Gooseberry 1 1684292 Is it only me but was there only 48 items??? Not a great list - too generic however, since I also only have 9 to go to finish the list, I'm feeling quite satisfied with myself. Laurie Wed Mar 22 15:09:50 -0800 2006 1684279 0 sivyaleah 2 1684294 The last two were pictures, on the right side. Wed Mar 22 15:15:49 -0800 2006 1684292 0 Renee 1 1684293 I agree that the list is a bit generic...but I only have 7 more to go. What the heck are Moreton Bay Bugs??? Wed Mar 22 15:13:21 -0800 2006 1684279 0 wyf4lyf 2 1684296 Could it be Moreton Bay Figs? Wed Mar 22 15:17:06 -0800 2006 1684293 0 Renee 2 1684299 An Australian crustacean, rather like our spiny lobster. I ate them 20 years ago when I lived in OZ. I thought they looked like a cross between a lobster and a crab, but clawless. Leave it to the Aussies to call them bugs. The Australian "slanguage" is a wonderful thing. Wed Mar 22 15:27:25 -0800 2006 1684293 0 Tee 3 1684302 Moreton Bay Bug - Don't a lot of shellfish (lobster, crab, shrimp, ect.) just look like big underwater BUGS! Eample: Mud Bug = crawdad, crawfish, crayfish or crawdaddy. Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moreton_bay_bug Wed Mar 22 15:38:06 -0800 2006 1684299 0 JBC 3 1684303 Moreton Bay Bug - Don't a lot of shellfish (lobster, crab, shrimp, ect.) just look like big underwater BUGS! Eample: Mud Bug = crawdad, crawfish, crayfish or crawdaddy. Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moreton_bay_bug Wed Mar 22 15:38:21 -0800 2006 1684299 0 JBC 3 1684309 "Bug" is a fairly common colloquial term for lobster here in New England. The nylon mesh bags that SCUBA divers use to carry all manner of items are known as "bug bags" for that reason. Wed Mar 22 16:28:08 -0800 2006 1684299 0 FlyFish 3 1684315 There actually is a Moreton Bay Fig tree, a huge one exists in Santa Barbara, hence my previous post. Interesting to know there's something else, albeit quite different, with same name. Image: http://www.sdnhm.org/fieldguide/plants/moreton.html Wed Mar 22 16:48:12 -0800 2006 1684299 0 Renee 1 1684300 Well, I'm only missing 5, although I actually believe I may have eaten kangaroo, I just can't recall for sure. And isn't reindeer awfully similar to elk? Can I squeak by on that one? Then I'm down to 3. Wed Mar 22 15:29:01 -0800 2006 1684279 0 Ellen 1 1684305 I agree that it is a stupid list mixing up cuisines with things and heavily slanted to Australia, but that said, I have 4 to go. Barramundi, Durian, Guinea Pig and Kangaroo. I think I may work up to Durian, it is readily available but I rarely eat fruit. Barramundi is just another Australian fish, why seperate from the fresh fish. Guinea Pig and kangaroo I can live without. Wed Mar 22 16:01:52 -0800 2006 1684279 0 Candy 2 1684372 what do you expect from a survey of bbc.co.uk users?! i'm sure chowhounds could come up with a list of 27,000 things to eat...but where's natto? Thu Mar 23 05:30:21 -0800 2006 1684305 0 hobokeg 1 1684312 I agree that it's silly list, I've had everything on that list plus some. I bet us chowhounds could put together an admirable top 50 list that it would take a professional eater to accomplish. Wed Mar 22 16:33:31 -0800 2006 1684279 0 JMF 2 1684316 i've got 9 to go... but i blame it on the australian slant because i defintely can't get some of those items. i've actually watched that episode and do any of you know how they serve guinea pig? whole cooked cut through the middle and put on your plate. i don't know if i could do it considering i used to have one as a pet. BUT.... to start off a chowhound top 50 things to eat before you die: - maggot cheese from italy (can't remember the city) it's amazingly smooth and you only know it's ripe when the maggots are squirming around in it. since you can't extract the maggots you have to cover the cheese and cracker with your hand so they don't jump into your nose or eyes. - the small whole roasted birds in france that are banned! apparently all the innards go so soft that you can suck them straight out. the president lifted the ban for himself personally when he found out he had cancer and decided to celebrate life. Link: http://tongueandcheek.ca Wed Mar 22 16:57:24 -0800 2006 1684312 0 pinstripeprincess 3 1684327 Cuy is Peruvian guinea pig. Tastes great, I have had it rotisserie and butterflied and fried. Wed Mar 22 18:17:57 -0800 2006 1684316 0 JMF 1 1684370 Others have noted that this list confuses "cuisines" with "things." And they're right. Much as I'd love to nitpick through the whole roster, all I've got to say is where's toro? Keep on smokin', Joey Deckle Thu Mar 23 04:31:14 -0800 2006 1684279 0 Joey Deckle 1 1684379 I was thinking about this list and would love to see what real chowhounds could make of it. Feel free to add, subtract, comment, etc. Top Foods To Try Before You Die Here are some things I would add to the list, I shamelessly stole some of these from various sources and surprisingly have tried many of them. First I would set up categories. Fish 1. Shiokara- Japanese- fish in fermented squid guts 2. Lutefisk- Norwegian- Cod soaked in lye 3. Hakarl- Iceland fermented shark (poisonous when fresh) 4. Fugu 5. Dried fish/shrimp/shellfish 6. Smoked fish/ shellfish 7. Eel Seafood/Crustaceans/cephalopods 1. Moreton Bay Bugs 2. Crawdads 3. Octopus 4. Squid 5. Snails 6. Sea cucumber/sea slug 7. Caviar/fish eggs 8. Jellyfish 9. Squid ink Reptiles/Amphibians 1. Alligator 2. Iguana 3. Snake 4. Turtle 5. Frogs legs Mammals 1. Kangaroo 2. Elk (European / American Moose and American) 3. African Antelopes (various species) 4. Indonesian fried Monkey toes 5. Nutria 6. Cuy 7. Horse 8. Buffalo/Bison 9. Cat 10. Dog 11. Bat 12. Long Pig 13. Rabbit 14. Whale/blubber Dairy 1. Maggot cheese Insects 1. Fried grasshoppers/ baby bees/ etc. 2. Hu-hu 3. Wichity grubs 4. Silkworms 5. Sago grubs 6. Gusano/Tequila worms Poultry 1. Chicken and Duck feet 2. Duck tongues 3. Foie Gras 4. Baalut 5. Ostrich Vegetables 1. Petai beans- Malaysia- smell like methane 2. Fried green tomatoes 3. dulse / nori / seaweed 4. Japanese mountain potato, grated 5. Ramps 6. Fiddleheads 7. Habanero / Red Savina peppers 8. Natto Fruit 1. Durian 2. Brazilian dried bananas 3. Dragonfruit Condiments 1. Belakan- Malaysian- dried shrimp paste 2. Chinese Fermented stinky tofu 3. Vegemite / Marmite Salads/sides 1. Kimchi, especially the type with raw oyster 2. panchan/banchan Deserts 1. Toasted marshmallow 2. Baked Alaska Breads/carbs 1. Injeera 2. Poi 3. Fufu 4. Grits Prepared Foods/Meals 1. Australian beets on a burger 2. Injera with meat in berbere 3. Patatje Oorlog- Holland 4. Poutine- Canada 5. Turducken 6. Birds nest soup 7. Pig uteri 8. Bull/Pig pizzles 9. Borewors- South Africa 10. Spam Musabi 11. Brains 12. Haggis 13. Scrapple 14. Seal flipper pie 15. Suelze/Headcheese 16. Sliders Drinks 1. Kava 2. Snake blood 3. Snake/scorpion/baby mice/ etc. wine 4. Inuit Seagull wine 5. Kumiss 6. Ammonia Coke 7. Moxie 8. Jello Shots 9. Kvas 10. Urine- assorted types 11. Hot tea with Yak butter 12. Bitters 13. Calpis 14. Rancid Yak milk Thu Mar 23 09:39:01 -0800 2006 1684279 0 JMF 2 1684380 Mammals: 12. Long Pig Um... no. While much of this list I can stand behind, even the stuff that is (for the most part) illegal to prepare/sell- I think I gotta draw the line at Human flesh. The rest of the list- Fine! (except maybe the amonia coke and the urine... cal it an anti- amonia flavored beverage bias...) Thu Mar 23 10:06:23 -0800 2006 1684379 0 jdherbert 2 1684382 Here are more mouth-watering ideas: "Honey Laden Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches, Vertebrate Optic Globular Capsules (let's make that eyeballs), Tempura Battered Tarantulas, Savory Scorpions on Endive, Succulent Earthworms...." Newsday Please note the recipe at the end of the article... Link: http://www.newsday.com/features/food/ny-sylvia4670231mar22,0,4198912.column?coll=ny-foodday-headlines Thu Mar 23 11:00:44 -0800 2006 1684379 0 welle 2 1684414 Most of the stuff i have heard of/tried unitl i got to the drinks. Who drinks urine? Fri Mar 24 12:08:56 -0800 2006 1684379 0 MV 2 1684530 a little late since i haven' tbeen following this thread religiously... but for those who are curious about the maggot cheese (casu marzu) and illegal roasted birds in france (ortolans), the article is here and the writer was in search of bull's testicles in spain: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060224.wxpicnic0225/BNStory/specialTravel/home i'd add blood onto that list and probably mangosteens. Link: http://tongueandcheek.ca Mon Mar 27 09:54:26 -0800 2006 1684379 0 pinstripeprincess 1 1684381 My "50 Things" are a little different. I'm sure on my deathbed I won't care if I haven't eaten cuy or Rocky Mountain Oysters or drank fermented urine or whatever. But I would have lived a rich and fulfilling life if I could check off a list that goes something like this (and introduce my kids to the same): 1. 50 different cheeses from artisans that I sought out, who shared their expertise with me, explained the history of their product, allowed me to witness the process and sample the best they had to offer. 2. 100 different fruits/vegetables from farmers that I sought out, who shared their expertise with me, explained the history of their prodcut, allowed me to witness the process and sample the best they had to offer. 3. Beef, pork, lamb, chicken, turkey, etc. from farmers that I sought out, who shared their expertise.... 4. Varieties of fish and seafood from fishermen that I sought out..... 5. Chocolate from artisans that I sought out..... 6. Wines..... 7. Breads..... 8. Several regional "authentic" BBQ styles..... 9. Honey, maple syrup, sugar, preserves....... 10. Smoked/cured foods........ ETC. Thu Mar 23 10:33:11 -0800 2006 1684279 0 MSPD 2 1684384 Don't knock cuy - it tastes like cornish game hen/rabbit. Best eaten at 8,000 ft up in the Andes. Thu Mar 23 11:25:02 -0800 2006 1684381 0 Zoe 3 1684385 Not knocking it. In fact, I can get cuy right here in good old Minneapolis (but only at 1,000 ft.) My reasoning behind my personal list is that I would rather define my life, both pertaining to food and non-food experiences, by long-term enrichment experiences that connect me to history, humanity and the earth than defining it by simply being able to say I tasted something obscure one time. But I acknowledge that cuy might be significant for some people -- it's just my list. I'll also likely try cuy at some point, but it'll be to expand my repertoire of taste experience, not to be able to tell my friends I'm cool because I ate cuy. Heck...maybe I'll find it's my favorite food. It just won't make my list of lifetime achievements. Thu Mar 23 11:41:36 -0800 2006 1684384 0 MSPD 1 1684386 At least we're consistent. Here's an old thread (January 2005) on the same topic. Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/299626#1660812 Thu Mar 23 11:43:29 -0800 2006 1684279 0 Loren3 2 1684405 I missed this the first time around, as I was travelling around the world eating the things on the list. Thu Mar 23 20:41:35 -0800 2006 1684386 0 JMF