The Strange "Foods" People Are Willing To Eat

Recently, I've been watching "Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern" on the Travel Channel. At first, I was only disgusted by what some folks around the world thought of as edible. Of course, my morbid curiosity kicked in and now I watch the show every now and then. The last episode I caught had Andy munchin' on rooster balls, chicken heads and a big bloated frog that had it's raw guts prominently displayed in a bowl. Andy cheerfully gobbled it up, pausing only to describe the various tastes of each item. The detailed descriptions he gives really add ambiance to the images of the "food" lovingly provided by the camera man who enjoys zooming in on all the entrails, brains and myriad of juices oozing forth from the cuisine.


What really drops my jaw is when he munches on something that's still alive. One time, I watched Andy eat a large, plump spider that was writhing in agony as he bit into it.


I wonder if this guy has a girlfriend: A girlfriend willing to kiss him after some of the repulsive crap he has shoved between his lips for the sake of a tv show.



To be fair, I'm sure there are folks around the world who are equally repulsed/fascinated by the some of the things we eat here in America. Perhaps they're shocked about our consuming of beef. Maybe it's venison. It could be a lot of things.



My sister tried breaded rattlesnake when the family traveled to Wyoming one year. I've had alligator meat. Tastes like chicken. Ha ha. I've chowed down on buffalo burgers and squirrel, too.


After doing some research, I've found out more about what people on this planet consider digestible. I've provided a list of some of the most shocking "edibles" for you to enjoy. Bon appetite!



Maggot Cheese (Italy)

During the aging process, a fly called Piophila casei deposits its eggs on the cheese. When the maggots are born, they move throughout the cheese, excreting enzymes that give it an overwhelmingly pungent smell, a rotten taste, and a soft, creamy texture.

Ox Penis (Asia)

The penis is generally cooked by steaming or deep frying, and can also be eaten raw.

Rats (various parts of the world)

Balut-Duck Fetus (Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand)












Jellied Cow's Foot (Poland)

Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of this for you to drool over. I hope this recipe helps you, though.

Buy a cow's foot in a butcher shop, chop it up and cook for hours & hours in water with spices, garlic, salt, pepper, etc. It is a good idea to evacuate the house during cooking time to avoid the overwhelming smell. Then pour this mess into a large flat pan and refrigerate. It sets to a nice translucent grey jelly with a layer of fat on top. Cut into large cubes and serve with lots of horseradish to kill the taste.


Blood Dumplings (Sweden)

Sorry, no picture of that available either. But here's what it is made of:

It's made of flour, reindeer blood and salt, served with bacon, butter and lingonberry jam. Cooked or fried. Yummy!


Baby Bees (Japan)













Monkey Brains (China)

























Hu-Hu Grubs (New Zealand)

As an added bonus, I've included this link to a woman who cooks human placentas and even has a "special" recipe for it. I bet your mouth is watering already. Check it out if you have the guts.