Buzz
The term 'weird food' is highly subjective, making it challenging to pinpoint what truly qualifies. When I was ten, my brother thought mashed potatoes were odd. In the U.S., many wonder about the nation’s love for peanut butter. The label 'weird' often reflects both cultural and individual tastes.
Even so, there are some foods in the Western world, especially in the U.S., that are widely considered strange, even by locals. The issue arises when 'weird' gets associated with bad taste. In reality, some of these so-called weird foods are absolutely delicious. Here are 10 such foods that prove deliciousness can defy expectations.
10. Pickled Herring
You might have noticed Vita brand pickled herring tucked away in the corner of the refrigerated section at the store. It's a large jar filled with sour cream, onions, and chunks of greyish fish. Although it may look suspicious, rest assured, it's not spoiled or contaminated—it's just a mouthwatering seafood treat: pickled herring in sour cream and onions.
While pickled herring may not be for everyone, it’s an excellent source of fatty acids and offers a zesty, hearty snack. It's less fishy than you'd think, and the smoothness of the sour cream and the bite of the onions balance out the rich flavor of the fish.
If you’re up for a bit of culinary adventure, grab a water cracker, place a piece of herring on top, and enjoy the unique flavor combination!
9. Fried Grasshoppers (Chapulines)
Eat a bug, you say? Absolutely not! Oh, Linda, think about it—you're fine with shrimp, crab, and lobster. They’re just aquatic bugs. So why the fuss over fried grasshoppers?
This traditional Mexican snack is typically served with chili and lime, offering a solid protein boost. Plus, farming grasshoppers for consumption is much more eco-friendly than traditional meat industries.
Fried grasshoppers might seem strange to people in the United States and Europe, but they’re a beloved snack in the Oaxaca region and are becoming more popular worldwide. You can easily prepare them at home by heating oil in a pan, adding the chapulines, and seasoning with garlic salt or chili powder. You could even create chapuline tacos or a traditional Oaxacan ‘pizza’ called a tlayuda.
8. Escargot
In France, snails are both a common garden guest and a delicacy. Although the term 'escargot' has become widely recognized, it had a fascinating rise in popularity in the U.S. during the 1980s, at one point driving a $300 million industry. Though escargot has since taken a backseat in food trends, it’s still a unique bug worth tasting.
Chefs generously coat the snails with butter and garlic, sometimes serving them with a slice of garlic bread. The trick is getting past the snail's texture, which is what I imagine biting into an eyeball might feel like—chewy, a bit tough, but ultimately soft and tasty. Strange, I know.
A word of warning: don’t pick snails from your garden and assume they’re safe to eat. Not all species are edible. If you want to prepare them at home, make sure to buy apple snails or helix pomatia.
7. Dandelions
Dandelions are often overlooked and treated as weeds, but they’re actually a plant we should be harvesting! Of course, considering the pollution and chemicals we put on our lawns each year, it’s probably not the best idea to eat those wild dandelions. Luckily, you can buy safe dandelion greens at the grocery store.
This once-common food, now seen as unusual, was regularly consumed before the Victorian Era. The root and leaves are known for their medicinal benefits and are rich in vitamins A, C, E, and folate. You can even turn the flowers into wine and the root into tea, which serves as a decent coffee alternative when mixed with chicory.
The leaves on their own can be quite bitter, but if you pick young leaves and sauté them with a bit of salt, pepper, and lemon, they make a fantastic side dish, similar to beet greens or arugula.
6. Nixon’s Favorite
President Nixon was undeniably intelligent, but he made one monumental blunder. Unfortunately, this mistake overshadowed everything else, and now he's often remembered primarily for his tax evasion and, of course, his misguided belief that he could somehow avoid paying what every American is required to pay each year through taxes.
Ahem, moving on.
Nixon had a peculiar food preference, one that I can personally vouch for—it's surprisingly tasty: macaroni, ketchup, and cottage cheese. It's a combination that sounds odd, but trust me, it's worth a try.
I know, it may seem revolting at first. But believe me, it’s delicious! The tanginess, the heartiness—it’s a perfect meal to feed your family when you're financially stretched after tax season and can't afford anything else. It’s basically a mishmash of whatever you have on hand, but in the best way.
5. Blood Sausage
Blood sausage might seem strange, mostly because it contains actual blood. Not human blood, of course, but blood from pigs, sheep, cows, or geese. Since most people aren't keen on the idea of eating blood, the British and Irish cleverly rebranded it as 'black pudding' due to its dark, nearly black hue.
Combined with fillers like oats or barley and encased in a sausage skin, blood sausage is a savory dish often served as part of a hearty breakfast. It’s rich in protein and iron, though it’s not exactly heart-healthy due to its high cholesterol content.
That said, don’t let the unusual nature of blood sausage deter you from trying it if the opportunity arises. While it’s definitely not the same as regular pork sausage, the texture isn’t off-putting, and the taste—especially when paired with brown sauce—is absolutely delicious.
4. Chicken Liver Pâté
Chicken livers? Eh. But chicken liver pâté? Now that’s a different story. Chicken liver has gained popularity as the 'ethical' choice, especially since the foie gras industry is controversial (goose farmers force-feed geese to make their livers fatty). While it may not rival foie gras in flavor, it’s a great, affordable alternative for a dinner party appetizer.
However, I wouldn't recommend attempting this yourself. It’s tough to get rid of the strong, metallic flavor of the liver, even after soaking. It’s best to buy it pre-made, all ready for you to savor on a fresh, soft baguette, while impressing your sophisticated friends.
3. Rocky Mountain Oysters
It’s exactly what you think it is—testicles!
Rocky Mountain oysters are actually the testicles of sheep or bulls, depending on what’s available. In Canada, they go by the name prairie oysters. You might recall the 1988 movie 'Funny Farm,' where Chevy Chase’s character enthusiastically eats them at a diner, only to be informed, 'It’s balls.' He promptly runs out, horrified.
But hey, he enjoyed them! And maybe we shouldn’t be so quick to judge the dish. The calves who donate their balls for our culinary pleasure probably wouldn't be thrilled to know that their contribution is met with disgust.
Known as a delicacy, Rocky Mountain oysters can be prepared in various ways: deep-fried, served with ketchup, marinated, sautéed...and when the entire testicle bursts on a hot stove, they’re done cooking!
So if you’re wondering what animal testicles taste like, there's no need to compete on Fear Factor. Just head to Montana’s annual testicle festival (yes, it’s a real event) and try them for yourself!
2. Bone Marrow
Waste not, want not. Bone marrow is another delicacy that’s high in cholesterol but also rich in protein, collagen, and vitamin B12. It’s so commonly eaten that it shouldn’t even be considered strange, but the idea of consuming bone marrow still feels a bit unusual.
Who was the first person to think, 'I should crack open this cow’s bones and suck out the insides?' Isn’t that usually something dogs do?
Apparently, that’s not the case.
Chefs around the world crack open beef bones to retrieve the yellow marrow, season it, roast it, and serve it either with bread or on its own. The nutty, buttery richness of the marrow is absolutely mouthwatering. But of course, they’ll charge you a fortune for it.
Look, it’s a fantastic dish, perfect for those with a daring and refined taste. But I can head to the butcher and pick it up for a fraction of the cost. There’s no reason restaurants should be marking up this appetizer to such ridiculous prices.
1. Kishke (Stuffed Derma)
If you’re familiar with anatomical terms, you might be raising an eyebrow at the name of this dish. 'Derma'—doesn’t that mean skin? Yes, it does. But kishke actually refers to guts, so I’d pay more attention to that part of the name.
Kishke, also known as stuffed derma, hails from the rich tradition of Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine and is a true delicacy. You’ll find this dish in nearly every Jewish deli, including the renowned Katz’s Deli in Manhattan.
So, what exactly is it made of? I'm glad you asked.
The dish is wrapped in cow or sheep intestine (making it similar to sausage), with modern variations including schmaltz (rendered chicken fat) or chicken/goose fat, matzoh meal, flour, onions, and various spices.
Right? Not so weird after all. I think the real kicker is when a dish’s name just lays it all out, which tends to freak people out more than the actual food itself.
