I am so glad BootsnAll posed the question:
What is the Strangest Food You’ve Eaten While Traveling?
for Day 10 of #Indie30 challenge.
Answers I Considered.
Poutines? – Only Canadians think they are not strange.
Insects? – Nuh – 80% of the World’s cultures eat them.
Liver and Pineapple Salad? – While these two ingredients are quite normal by themselves, put them together in a Salad and that’s kinda strange. We ate such a salad at a Lokantasi in Istanbul but alas I couldn’t locate the photographic evidence. But hey, I couldn’t dream that combo up if I tried.
My Answer – Read On
If you were to eat Balik Emek (Fish on Bread) in Istanbul what would you choose as a accompaniment? Chips, Tomato Sauce, Tartare Sauce, Vinegar….
If you said vinegar you are on the right track.
If you said cabbage and gherkins pickled in pink vinegar and served in a disposable plastic cup you would be freakishly correct!
And what do you drink to wash down your Balik Emek and Tursu (pickles)?
Why Pink Pickle Juice of course.
You knew it didn’t you?? 🙂
Bronwyn Joy
You’re right – insects pop to mind, but they’re so widely eaten they really shouldn’t.
The pink pickles are very unexpected, though.
Seana - Sydney, Kids, Food + Travel
Oh dear, just the thought of that makes me feel a bit bilious I hate to admit. How did it taste?? I don’t know what poutines are… can you explain? Not lice???
Jan
Poutines are hot potato chips saturated with brown gravy and fresh cheese curds. Can look disgusting, Can taste good, Can clog your arteries 🙂 An Iconic Canadian Dish.
The pickles were not sweet at all, a little salty. They tasted OK with the fish sandwich. I drank some of the pink juice….
Nancie
Just thinking of that combination gives me heartburn 🙂 Koreans love intestines and organ meat. I am sure that I have unknowingly (or pretended not to know) have let some this pass my lips…ugh.
As far as poutine goes, when I was growing up in Nova Scotia there was no such thing. It really is (or was) a French thing. I think now you can find it just about anywhere in Canada. That’s one more ugh for me!
Jan
I knew Poutines originated in Quebec but didn’t think as far as the French Connection Nancie – but it is obvious. I wouldn’t have picked it as French Cuisine though! I tried the liver and pineapple salad in Istanbul and it was quite tasty, but I was happy to let Marty eat the rest of the dish. 🙂
Michele {Malaysian Meanders}
It’s kind of pretty and summery looking. I saw Braised Duck Tongue on a menu yesterday, but alas, they were all out.
Jan
It would take a lot of ducks to make a meal of Tongue Michele! It would all be in the sauce I guess 🙂
Johanna
I used to be much braver than I am now, but this I maybe would give a go because I love the colour! I’ve never heard of poutines before either, so I’ve learnt something new today 🙂
Jan
I think it is a great marketing ploy having the pink pickling juice Jo. It looks so attractive you just have to try some. If it was clear – maybe not?
Dani Blanchette
I LOVE poutine! I had it in Toronto (and videotaped myself eating it) and it is one of the best things I have ever had. And no I’m not Canadian, although my family is of Acadian french hertiage, so maybe it’s just in my blood. 🙂
Jan
Hi Dani, I have been waiting for someone to jump to the defence of Poutine.:) I see the appeal of the idea especially in cold weather, but the ones I had were a bit soggy and claggy. I didn’t catch the French Connection when I indulged.
jenny@atasteoftravel
I don’t mind the pickle juice! I can’t drink too much of it but when in Rome…..I’ve heard of poutine before but never tried it.,.sounds terrible!
Jan
I love pickles of all kinds so the juice went down OK with me too 🙂
Catherine
Haha, this is pretty surreal. I love gherkins, and anything pink, so can quite imagine I would enjoy this one 🙂
Jan
Yeah, the Pink is a winner for sure Catherine 🙂
Lisa
oh yeah that wins as being the weirdest food ever to eat….I actually had to go back and re-read what your answer was to believe you had cabbage and gherkins pickled in pink vinegar and served in a disposable plastic cup ….I was sharing this with my family when Kyle says “Ice-cream with tomato sauce” would be the worst {yeah that’s weird} and hubby Dave said “Peri Oysters” {aka Bulls Balls} would be the worst.
Glad I never had to try the Cabbage Dish – did it taste like Sauerkraut?
Jan
I definitely would not eat either Kyle’s or Dave’s suggestions, lol.
Krista
Poutine is the BEST!!! 🙂 I introduced my Aussies to poutine when I first came out here and they thought it was bizarre but delicious. 🙂
Jan
Ha ha Krista, I can see they could be good in Cold Weather. The ones I tried were not that good though. 🙂
Charlie
Wow, that juice looks disgusting! Did you manage to drink the whole cup!?
Jan
Nah! Just tried it to see what it was like 🙂