There's no accounting for taste, and that extends to cuisines from around the world. Some dishes are considered delicacies in one culture but would be thought of as strange or even disgusting in others. Such examples of food are:
If you're afraid of spiders, it's probably not a good idea to try and eat them. They're not small household spiders, they're huge tarantulas that are sold by street vendors in Skuon, Cambodia. Arms, teeth, and everything--they're cooked whole. They were originally discovered to be edible by famished Cambodians during the regime under Khmer Rouge when food was scarce. Nowadays, people come from all over just to enjoy this delicacy.
The town of Skuon becomes wealthy and famous because of the black, fuzzy arachnids discovered in the forest just outside its center. These spiders are a delicacy that busloads of tourists sample on their way to other destinations. They're wonderful pulled directly from the burrows and pan sauted with garlic and seasoning for very little money.
The Filipino delicacy known as balut is a dish made of fertilized eggs that are cooked right before hatching. The yolk pours out first, followed by the chicken (or duck) fetus. Depending on one's preference, the unborn fetus can be anywhere from 17 to 21 days old when it is used to make balut, but at this point in its development it will have a beak, bones, feathers, and claws.
Balut is a common dish in Filipino society, and street vendors often cry out "Baluuut" as they drive their carts through the streets. Balut is a protein-rich food that is believed to increase libido, and it is typically served with beer, salt, black pepper, lemon juice, and coriander. Some fans of balut also enjoy it with vinegar and chili. To eat balut, crack the egg open and sip the soup before eating the yolk along with the fetus.
Sardinian cheese "Casu Marzu" has been translated to "rotten cheese," although it is more commonly known as the "maggot cheese." Even though it has been outlawed due to health concerns, you can still find it on Sardinia's black market and in other parts of Italy.This is Pecorino cheese that has been infected with Piophila Casei larvae, generally known as the cheese fly. These maggots eat away at the fat in the Cheese while they continue to be alive; however, if consumed after they have died, it would result in harmful consequences.
Casu Marzu is a cheese that is hazardous if not consumed properly. The larvae in the cheese might jump if startled, and there have been allergic reactions reported after consuming it. There is also the possibility of intestinal infection from the larvae.
Fermented Baltic herring, also known as surstromming, is a popular delicacy in Sweden. The fish are caught right before spawning in the spring and then fermented for 1-2 months in barrels. The cans are often bulging during transport and storage because of the ongoing fermentation process. The airlines have been quick to jump on the bandwagon of banning these cans from flights, as they perceive them to be dangerous due to the pressurized contents. When you open one of these cans, you are immediately met with a putrid smell, as the fermented Baltic fish has very powerful odors. It is commonly served with boiled potatoes and a sort of crispy flatbread. Sometimes it is washed down with water or milk; however, the ideal way to consume this dish is by washing it down with beer.
If you're looking for something unique to do with your wine, how about a reptile bouquet with venomous undertones? Snake wine is a booze made by bottling rice wine with the head of a venomous snake inside. Because of the snake blood, it has a somewhat pink color, like a rose. It's thought to have therapeutic properties, although it may be better as simply a conversation starter.
Several months of steeping allow the snake's venom to dissipate before it is steeped in rice wine. The ethanol will neutralize the venom, making it non-lethal. This wine originated in Vietnam where people believe snakes have therapeutic properties, but has since expanded throughout Southeast Asia and Southern China. It is important not to confuse this dish with snake blood wine which is created by slashing a snake's belly open so that its blood pours into the wine; served immediately after creation . Snake Wine definitely qualifies as one of the strangest dishes from around the world - and for good reason!
