Balut
While chicken menses may be on the ovo-lactic vegetarian's menu, duck embryos are not.In the Philippines, Viet Nam and China, duck embryos are considered a delicacy (and aphrodisiac).
In the Philippines, they are considered perfect when they are 17 days, before the beak and bones start to form.
While I have eaten many parts of animals (heart, stomach, liver, tongue, etc) and many different kinds of animals (guinea pig, horse, crocodile, llama, etc) and prepared in many different ways (raw, marinated with lemon juice, BBQ'd, boiled, etc), and desire to try still more kinds (raw camel liver, dog, cat, snake), I am not sure I could bring myself to eat a balut.
There is some irrational squeamishness buried deep inside me that makes me balk at the thought. Actually, it is the same sqeamishness that makes me balk at eating bugs as well (not withstanding I eat shrimp and crabs and other shellfish - which are just like big insects in the sea. Incidentally, people who are allergic to shellfish, should avoid eating insects).
Images taken from here and here.
Comments
colleen: What amkes it worse, is that in Viet Nam, they like to eat it when it is a little more mature and has some crunch to it.
Not all sushi is raw. For example, the shrimp is always cooked (it is just served cold on a bed of rice). Of course, maybe it is a fish thing.
There are non-fish sushi (or at least the place up my way prepares non-fish sushi). My daughter likes mango sushi - little bits of mango rolled up in rice.
I'm not too crazy about sardines (unless they are in tomato sauce).
Don't think I could try dog or cat since I am a pet person and though your post with the fried guinea pig made me break into kid like laughter, it is off my menu. I've eaten a chocolate covered grasshopper and I agree: Bugs are just not meant to be eaten. I do like shrimp and they are bugs of the sea. I don't eat fish much because of parasites, I read an article and have known people who were in the hospital from eating sushi. eeeek
I just cant say a word..
As what lunafish said..
what our culture eats grosses other
cultures out..
Honestly i ever tried horse meat, rabbit and eel.. ( 2 kind of pets and a snake cousin.)
My advice to you, Richard..
pls dont try to eat dog or cat..
you can be jailed for that..hee
As for raw eggs ... I used to eat the yolk mixed with sugar when I was a child. The last raw egg I had was mixed with raw beef in steak Tatar.
BTW, I think alligator tastes like pork, not chicken.
coffee fairy: hmmm ... you actually make it sound tasty - clearing away my initial objections. Maybe if I ever get to the Philippines I will try it.
mom2one: well, you are right, it looks pretty gross. But coffee fairy's description actually eases my gross out and makes me consider trying it.
dandan: no I do not eat dogs and cats, but I would like to try. I may have to go to China for that experience (although, I think the Chinese are discouraging the practice).
prince romp: you are right, in Canada I would probably be fined or jailed.
I had rabbit last night (including the kidneys, heart and liver).
Horse is very, very lean. Leaner than turkey. It is a good low fat alternative to steak. But who wants a low fat steak? No one! We want a nice fatty steak that melts in our mouth.