What’s That Funky Smell?? Contest!! Odd Foods!!

I wrote a post on November 2, 2007 called “Smelling the Past”.

It was  only my 6th post.  Here’s the deal.  I have been getting major hits on that post for the past couple of weeks.  This is after not having a hit on it in months.  I have tried to trace back to see why but I can’t come up with anything.  It’s now my second most popular post.

I just wonder why so many people, all of a sudden, want to “smell my past”?

The contest is still open for naming my interview show.  I have decided not to be a judge because I want the choice to be totally impartial.  The Wasband and Sarah will judge.  I will hand them the list.  They won’t know whose entries belong to who.  That last sentence doesn’t sound right.  But you get my drift.

This has to be short and sweet because I have to go grocery shopping which I really don’t feel like doing today. This is what the kids will be eating this week if they don’t fix my washing machine.

First Course- check out the cholesterol!!

Afternoon Delight — Silkworm Pupae

Literally meaning pupa or chrysalis, beondegi are popular Korean street snacks, often dished out by the cupful to eager passers-by. The stewed and seasoned silkworm treats come highly recommended as bar bites. Next time you crave a quick mouthful on the go, grab a can of these crunchy chrysalises.

Forbidden Fruit — Durian

Durian fruit is a popular ingredient in its native Southeast Asia. It’s chock full of nutrients and minerals, and found in everything from soup to ice cream. The catch? It smells absolutely awful.

While the custard-like texture of the fruit’s edible interior is noted for its creamy, almond-sweet flesh, the scent is anything but. Its nauseating bouquet includes hints of rotten fish, fermented onions, overripe cheese and unwashed socks. The durian’s smell attracts hungry animals eager to devour the produce (effective for seed dispersion) but repels humans. Because of its stench, the fruit is commonly forbidden on airplanes, buses and subways.

The seasonal fruit is highly prized and expensive in Asia, but a rare find in the United States, although a quick scan at a local Asian market is likely to turn up a can or two.

Basket Case — Canned Bird’s Nest Drink

The Chinese have served bird’s nest soup, considered a delicacy, for hundreds of years. It’s made using the nests of swiftlets, or cave swifts. These avian homemakers regurgitate their gelatinous spit, creating a web-like superglue which forms their nests and attaches them to cave walls in Southeast Asia.

The nests are collected by hunters on precariously tall ladders and then dissolved into soup. Said to stimulate cell growth, raise libido and boost the immune system, these edible abodes are among the most expensive animal-food products consumed; They are rare, difficult to harvest and require a labor-intensive cleaning process. Don’t feel like dropping the coin to get a taste of the cure-all nectar? Pop a tab on the canned bird’s nest drink, and get your vitamins on the go.

Dessert–chocolate covered crickets.

Sounds good???