File Under: Odds and Ends in Food

One of my Teeny Tiny Group of Readers posted a comment a while ago that got me thinking about some of the unusual food I've eaten.

When it comes to food, most people fall into roughly two camps: those who will try anything, at least once, and those who consider food nourishment and comfort but never adventure.

The Food Network, before it got all crapped up with shows about running a restaurant, designing a kitchen, or choosing a new show host (yawns all around), did a show based on Anthony Bourdain's book, A Cook's Tour. The main topic of the book is his travels all over the world sampling exotic and outrageous food.

Side Note of Gratuituous New York Name Dropping: the restaurant Tony Bourdain is most famous for and the one profiled in his first big book is Les Halles in New York. Mr. Fresh Hell's cousin was a waiter there for years, and we have many friends who either worked there in the past or still do; obviously, we've spent a lot of time there in the past 8 years, and I've always had excellent meals there. My copy of Tony's second book was actually personally addressed to me and signed by him. I know! (Cue the impressed applause).

And now...

Location: Spain
Dish: Miniature Whole Deep Fried Fish
Product Specs: 1 inch long complete fish, heads, bones & all, dunked in tasty batter and deep fried to a golden crispy finish
Delivery Method: napkin lined basket
End user comment: Tremendous! These were like crazy potato chips made out of tiny whole fish. The crunch though the weeny fish spine was especially gratifying. Excellent paired with a hearty Spanish rioja.

Location: New York
Dish: Sauteed Lamb Testicles
Product Specs: Lamb balls sauteed with garlic and onions in olive oil and served with a baguette.
Delivery method: appetizer plate
End user comment: Like mini meatball appetizers and paired with French bread, completely satisfying. Tip: don't tell your guests ahead of time that these are balls; trust me, they'll never be the wiser!

Location: New York
Dish: Lamb Brains
Product Specs: Lamb brains scrambled in a combination of olive oil, butter, garlic, cilantro and spices, served with warm triangles of pita bread
Delivery method: appetizer plate
End user comment: Similar in texture to scrambled eggs but richer taste. The herbs and spices compliment the lamb - it's a simple yet satisfying dish.

Location: New York
Dish: Calves Feet
Product Specs: Boiled calves feet in a spicy broth and vegetable concoction. Looks like a light stew.
Delivery method: bowl
End user comment: Hardly one forkful made it to the mouth without a tripping of the gag reflex. End user slightly drunk during tasting, so one mouthful proved more than enough. Jellied texture highly offensive to end user. Rather than offend chef, pushed spoon around bowl and pretended to actually eat portion.

Location: Casablanca
Dish: Camel meat sandwiches
Product Specs: Grilled marinated ground camel meat.
Delivery method: Stuffed into pita bread with mint tea to drink.
End user comment: Reminiscent of bison sandwiches - rich and delicious. No gamey aftertaste. The scalding hot, heavily sweetened mint tea is a must, as it aids in digestion.

Location: Southern Morocco, Middle of Nowhere
Dish: Rabbit stew
Product Specs: Freshly slaughtered bunny slow-cooked in vegetables and sauce.
Delivery method: Large tagine (both the name of the stew & the fired pottery vessel it is cooked in) with chunks of Moroccan bread.
End user comment: Likely one of the best meals of my life - the rabbit was lean and tender, accompanied by perfectly cooked carrots, squash, and potatoes swimming in a tangy sauce.

Your intrepid reporter admits this list veers heavily in the meat groups, but I believe this is borne out by reality - really, how odd can a vegetable be?