Here are 8 foods that you probably won't find in your "Happy Meal"...
1. Geoduck
Geoduck is a species of salt water clam. The shell of the clam usually gets around 7 to 9 inches while the body or neck of the clam grows up to 1 meter. Today Geoduck is worth in Asia over $30 dollars a pound. Geoduck is highly regarded in Chinese cuisine and culture. It is an $80 million dollar U.S. industry.
Most people have not heard of Geoduck and when looked at think it is very odd and disgusting. Personally I think Geoduck is sick and nasty. The picture above shows a Geoduck that has been pulled out of the sand.
2. Chicken Feet
Chicken feet to most people are the scrap part of chicken, but in some countries they are eaten as a delicacy. In China and South Africa chicken feet are part of the usual cuisine. Skin and tendon are the main edible parts of the chicken feet; while the rest is made up of bone and muscle and cartilage.
Chicken feet are known for their weird texture which is totally different from any other part of the chicken. In Africa the feet are known and thought to prevent wrinkles due to their high collagen content. Often the feet are fried, breaded, boiled, grilled, or put into soup. The image above is a picture of a homemade chicken feet soup.
3. Fried Spider
Fried spider is a very popular meal and food source with the natives in Cambodia. They are considered an everyday snack, and they are eaten like potato chips.
Usually a species of spider known as the tarantula is fried up and eaten. The tarantula is known for their crunchy and chewy texture along with their great flavor. The spiders are cooked by natives with sugar, salt, and garlic. They are then fried over a fire, and cooled. The picture above shows a Cambodian native with a fresh plate of fried spiders.
4. Calf Brains
Beef brains (calf brains), which come from young cows, are prepared in special foods all over France and parts of Mexico. As you would have guessed, beef brains have a very unique and mushy texture, but they have little flavor and are often served in sauces.
Although calf brains are completely edible, many people do not eat them because there is a chance that you could get “Mad Cow Disease” from eating them. They picture above shows a pan of fresh, unprepared calf brains. That is sick.
5. Sugar Ants
Sugar ants are large ants that are most commonly found in Australia. They are also known as banded ants because they have a black head and anus with a tan colored torso. Sugar ants are extremely attracted to sweet and savory foods, and have a very powerful bite.
These ants are eaten on special occasions in Australia and have a sugary candy flavor to them. In Australia these ants have been part of their culture for hundreds of years and are very good tasting.
6. Jellied Eels
A jellied eel is a meal often served in London and in parts of
Italy. The image above is a picture of prepared jellied eels. It is prepared by cooking eels for around a half an hour and letting them cool. This allows all of the juices to turn into a jellied like substance. The jelly is described as an uncooked egg yoke. This dish is often served with pie and mash. Jellied eels have also been part of London's culture and is a very filling meal.
7. Surströmming
Surströmming is a type of herring that is caught in the spring when this fish is just about to spawn. The fish are put into metal barrels, where they are fermented for 1-3 months. Later the herring is put in individual tin, like the one above, where the fermentation is continued for about six months. When done fermenting the fish are taken out of the barrels and put into cans where they are sent around the world.
There are many countries that eat the herring usually on special occasions like Christmas Eve. I have had this herring before and it has an absolutely delicious flavor.
8. Frog Legs
Frog legs, like the ones above, are cultural food for the French, Chinese, Caribbean, and Southern United States. Frog legs are a great source of protein and are also inexpensive. The legs contain meat, bone, muscle, and tendon and are very filling.
Frog legs are said to taste like chicken with a rubbery texture and can be prepared in so many different ways. They can be breaded, boiled, fried, grilled, smoked, and put into soups. In America frog legs are even served in some restaurants.
