Pub trivia: Strange meals
Strange meals
The gastronomic delights and delicacies of the world are often cause for concern for non natives. Here are some rather curious local specialties that will have you either salivating for more or reaching for the door.
-
Fact
In Columbia people fry or roast black ants to eat. The ants are chip-sized and have a smoky flavour. They are often served in cinemas and are actually quite a healthy alternative to popcorn.
-
Fact
In some parts of Indonesia, bats are grilled or deep-fried. Fruit bats are skinned and the head and wings removed. The body is cut into cubes and stewed, while the wings are served in coconut milk.
-
Fact
A South Korea treat was to dip live baby octopuses in oil and swallow whole. The tradition died out after human fatalities caused by the octopus gripping the sides of the throat, choking the diner.
-
Fact
In North Africa and the Middle East, nomadic tribes feast on roasted camel. Thanks to their North African Empire, the French developed a taste for camel too, though in France the preferred dish is camel's foot.
-
Fact
Kenya's Masai have an odd recipe for milkshake. They mix cow's blood with their daily milk, as they believe it makes them stronger. They collect the blood by shooting an arrow into the neck of the animal.
-
Fact
The Chinese are fond of eating honeybee larvae and the pupae of silkworms in stir fries. In some parts of the country fried scorpions and dragonflies are consumed.
-
Fact
In Mexico, tortillas are sometimes made with red and white Agave worms - the same worms found in mescal bottles. Their popularity largely stems from the belief that they are an aphrodisiac.
-
Fact
The South Koreans love dogs, especially when served in stew. In Andean parts of South America, you might be offered a delicacy known as 'cuy' - guinea pig roasted whole.
-
Fact
Puffer fish are a delicacy in Japan, but they can only be prepared by licensed chefs. This is because a mouthful of its liver can be fatal – around 20 people die from eating it in Japan every year. Symptoms of poisoning occur in 10 minutes; death follows in 30.
Danny Wallace interview
His book Yes Man has been turned into a Hollywood film, so we caught up with Scottish-born comic Danny Wallace for all the glitzy goss.
Top 10 Bond gadgets
In Dr No he had a Geiger counter, but thankfully the gadgets got a bit better after that. We look back at 10 of Bond's best.
