Exotic Food: Weird is Delicious, or Maybe Not!

It looks like the long holiday season is finally reaching a wind up with the celebration of the Chinese New Year. Regretfully, I must say, because these long successive celebrations are like a-license-to-indulge in food and drinks without guilt and hesitation. However, the long food exposure could result to either loss in appetite or an increased one. So, how do you regularize your food intake after a long period of indulgence? Try something exotic for a change! Weird is sometimes delicious, or maybe not :) In any case, you must be brave!




Exotic food is called such because it is strange or unfamiliar depending on your culture, nationality, social class or sometimes even travel history. The oddness of a food therefore, is actually subjective and personal. What maybe weird to you could be a staple for others. Here are some exotic foods that I personally encountered, some of it became my favorites, others I have tasted and never ate again and a few I chickened out! I have blogged about one of my food adventures and personal encounter with the "deliciously weird," read more HERE.

Nope, it's not black coffee. It's Dinuguan and Puto!

1. Dinugaan (Pork blood stew) - Food normally looks pleasing and palatable but this dish is an odd looking thick black soup with unrecognizable meat. If you are served this kind of food for the first time and informed of its main ingredients namely pig's blood, pork meat (may include pig snout and ears hehe) and offal (typically pig's lungs, kidneys, heart and intestines), you might excuse yourself or be brave and discover its rich savory yumminess! My first encounter with dinuguan was when I was about 9 or 10 years old upon the "gentle" prodding of my mother. I knew that the black icky soup was pig's blood so I was vehemently shaking my head from side to side while my mother held my jaw as she spoon fed (or jammed?) me the rice topped with the black thing which I thought was yucky! I remember crying while chewing it until the flavor took over my grief and defiance... "uhmm mom, one more spoonful, please!"  This goes to prove either of the two: My mother knows best or I have no pride when it comes to tasty food LOL! By the way, Dinugaan is also very good when paired with puto (Steamed rice/flour cake).

Oh, My Duck! It's Balut!

2. Balut (Fertilized Duck Embryo, boiled) -  Fertilized, which means almost hatched and alive... uh oh! Yes, it looks fetus-like with the chick all curled up in its shell with hair, two feet, beak and eyes! Vegetarians and animal lovers would be horrified, so please bear with me. But yes, it's delicious once you get the hang of it. Some eat it warm from the shell to avoid seeing the poor bird but I prefer to put mine in a sauce plate after I sip the hot sabaw (broth) from the shell so that I can season it with vinegar and salt. I eat it with a kutsarita (teaspoon) starting with the dilaw (yolk; literal translation: yellow) and bit by bit the sisiw (chick embryo), eating the head last. I don't mean to gross you out but that is really how it is eaten by some, umm me included. The balut is very rich in protein and said to be an aphrodisiac food, the latter I really can't vouch for.

Food for the brain? Dinakdakan!

3. Dinakdakan (Grilled Pig's face with pig's brain!) - It feels like I'm writing a gory horror story now! But I must admit dinakdakan is one of my favorite exotic foods. It is the Ilokano counter part of the Kapampangan's sisig. It both uses the same main ingredients which are the pig's maskara (pig's cheeks, ears and chin; literal translation: mask) and pork liver. The sisig is boiled, broiled and fried then diced together with spices and served on a sizzling plate with calamansi (golden lime) and hot sauce. The dinakdakan on the other hand is boiled, grilled and diced then seasoned with salt, pepper, vinegar, ginger, garlic, onions, siling haba (finger chilies) and siling labuyo (cayene pepper) then thoroughly mixed with boiled and mashed pig's brain... yep, pig's b-r-a-i-n! It's best served cold paired with a cold bottle of beer ;) The finished product  actually looks delicious and tastes so creamy and flavorful that first timers would often mistake the pig's brain for mayonnaise! I swear I was once fooled!

Bitter is Better? Papaitan!

4. Papaitan (goat or ox stew with offal and bile!) - Yes, liver bile or gall is purposely included to make the stew bitter, thus the name papaitan which comes from the Filipino root word "pait" meaning bitter. The papaitan's color is also a weird mixture of dark green, yellow and black. It is cooked with spices and vinegar. This dish is served piping hot usually with calamansi, patis and siling labuyo as sawsawan (with golden lime, fish sauce and cayenne pepper as dipping sauce). An acquired taste might be necessary to like this authentic Filipino dish, which I did a long time ago.

Sausage Soup? Try Soup Number 5!

5. Soup No. 5 (Ox gonad and phallus soup!) - Now, this blog post is becoming really disturbing... but yes, Soup No. 5 is a popular dare-food among the bravest food lovers especially males since it is said to be an aphrodisiac. It is also popular to couples who want to have children because it is believed to help increase fertility which is the reason why Soup No.5's ingredients may include mushrooms, ginseng, sibot (chinese herb) and other herbs. In any case, this exotic dish is not for the faint of heart! I was a kid when I first tasted it during one of our family reunion beach parties. I was curious because it was not very usual to see the adult male members of the family all clustered and busy in the kitchen. They were giggling and joking like excited kids cooking up something... I heard it was Soup No. 5 they're making... and I thought "hmnnn I love soup!" So, me and my other cousins went for it but spit it out the moment we learned what it's made of! From what I recall, I didn't like much the smell, texture and taste. No, I'm not a big fan but maybe I'll give it another try when I'm brave enough but for now, I'll pass. Soup No. 5 is best eaten when drunk LOL!

6. Ararawan (Mole crickets!), Salagubang (Scarab beetles!) and Simut-Simot or Gamu-Gamo (Winged ants!) - Insects are not all pests, sometimes they are edible!

Cricketty Crispies? Ararawan!

One of them is the Ararawan, in Ilocano or the mole cricket. These chirping insects inhabit agricultural fields and burrow themselves in soil but also have wings and could fly. They are thick-bodied insects making them crunchy when toasted or stir-fried. The head is not included when you cook it because the snout is sharp and hard. My father once ordered this dish in a restaurant when we visited Nueva Ecija. I mustered all strength to eat one piece, it was crunchy and tasted like peanuts although I didn't like the texture because I felt its legs slightly prick my tongue when I first sip on it prior to chewing ... or maybe I just imagined it?

It's a bug's life! Salagubang!

The Salagubang (June beetles) are compact, heavy-bodied, oval shaped bugs! Their wings are thick and polished ranging from dark brown to almost black.They mostly come out during the rainy season around May to June. The usual way to cook the salagubang is  adobong tuyo (braised in soy sauce and vinegar with onions and lots of garlic then simmered until dry) wings and legs, not included. It is eaten by breaking it by the head and pinching the body to sip the flesh out from its belly. It is rich in protein and claimed by my cousins to be really tasty and savory. The next time I encounter the adobong salagubang, I swear, I'm so gonna eat  these bugs!

Itching for crunchies? Simut-simot!

Simut-Simot in Ilocano or the Gamu-Gamo in Filipino (Winged ants) - These insects mostly appear en masse at night to seek light before or after a rainfall. You could catch them by placing a basin of water underneath the light where they gather. The trapped (or more like drowned) insects should be dewinged prior to stir frying or sauteing. It is said to be crunchy and creamy but I never had the nerve to eat it... but who knows :)

Froggy Broth? Palakang Bukid!

7. Palakang Bukid (Ricefield frogs) - It is cooked anyway you cook your chicken and it is said to taste just like it. The frog meat has become so popular because of its taste and claims of curing properties. Some are actually raising them for business. I haven't tried eating it but I'm open to the idea.

Crispry Fries? Dagang Bukid!

8. Dagang Bukid (Rice field rats!) - Oh no, this is by far the ultimate challenge of all  to many adventurous food enthusiasts! For me however, rats, whether they live in the city or the rice field is a no, no! I don't mean any offense to the exotic meat's eaters and lovers but you see, rats rank as Top 5 in my worst fears as previously blogged here. So, forgive me but I really must shy away from eating it or I'll scream, palpitate and hyperventilate even before it reaches my mouth only to regurgitate!

Weird is delicious, or maybe not!

Happy brave eating adventurous food enthusiasts! 

Awww!

2012 Year of the Dragon: Kung Hei Fat Choi!

First Sunday of the Year, January 8, 2012 is the Pista ng Tatlong Hari (Feast of the Three Kings or the Epiphany), on the 9th is the Feast of the Black Nazarene, then on the 16th will be the Feast of the Sto. Nino.... all these events are still part of the Filipino Christmas Holiday celebrations. It has been said that our country celebrates the longest Christmas Season from September to January of the following year and the festivities even extend to the celebration of the Chinese New Year which will be observed this 2012 on January 23 as the Year of the Dragon.

Many Filipinos with no Chinese blood also honor the occasion and follow the Chinese traditions in welcoming the Lunar New Year. In fact, some are even more fastidious than the Filipino-Chinese in strictly following the Chinese New Year customs and traditions in the hope of attracting good fortune for themselves in the coming year. This is because the Chinese community in the country is generally respected and perceived to be a society of industrious and business-savvy people!  The  Chinese culture has great influence, if not fused to ours. This is because the Tsinos (Chinese People) have been in the country long before the Spaniards came, in fact our National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal was from Chinese descent! Here are some popular Filipino-Chinese practices during the week-long (some even observe 15-day long) Chinese New Year Celebrations to welcome the 2012 Year of the Dragon with a bang!

1.  Clean up - General cleaning of the house is customary before the Lunar New Year arrives. It is believed that this practice will bring good fortune and keep the residents in good health all year round because it will sweep away the bad luck of the preceding year and make it ready to receive the good luck of the succeeding one.  However, cleaning materials such as brooms and dust pans must be put away on the first day of the year to avoid the good luck from being swept away! It is also believed that aside from a clean surrounding, everything must be in their proper places to avoid blocking positive energies or attracting negative ones which is why the practice of Feng Shui is incorporated by some. Thus, we notice major house alterations occurring before the Chinese New Year to keep the elements in good harmonious flow and aligned with the stars. Others also repaint their window frames, doors and some parts of the house red to keep away evil spirits.

2. What to wear - Wear something red or any bright color clothes throughout the week long celebration. This is because of the belief that these colors, more particularly red, could scare away evil spirits and bad fortune. New clothes and shoes are also typically worn during the Chinese New Year to symbolize a beginning of a prosperous year with more than enough things to use and wear all year round. A new hair cut also symbolizes a fresh new start.

3. Food - Food plays a very important role in the celebration of the Chinese New Year. The preparation is meticulous, elaborate and bountiful. As customary, the number of dishes to be prepared on the table must be of even numbers to symbolize "double good fortune."  On New Year's Eve, families gather for a feast just like in the Pinoys' celebration of the Media Noche (New Year's Eve; Midnight). Eating at midnight to be full during the changing of the year means never to go hungry or lack anything the whole year. The food served and even the manner of preparation are all symbolic and meaningful. The "Lucky Foods" are usually homonyms of Chinese characters or words that generally mean positive things such as peace, joy, prosperity, abundance, good health, happiness and the likes. Here are the most popular dishes that are served during the Chinese New Year celebrations and their meanings:

Fish or fowl  - Whether fish or fowl it must be served whole because knives, cleavers and other sharp cutting steels are considered unlucky that could sever the family members' good fortune. Using sharp objects during the holiday celebration is considered unlucky that chopping is avoided. The other ingredients if could not be kept whole must be prepared or cut ahead to avoid bad omens. Keeping the fish or fowl uncut also symbolizes wholeness, harmony and unity among family members. The fish, usually Carp, is a typical main course that symbolizes a profitable year ahead. As for the fowl, the Peking Duck is the top choice, served whole with its head and feet. The bird symbolizes fidelity and its red color from deep frying means happiness. The New Year's Eve dinner especially the fish, must not be consumed completely and stored for the night to ensure a spill-over of good fortune throughout the new year. Thus, the Chinese phrase "May there be surpluses every year."

Tikoy (Nian Gao) - Nian Gao is a round, sweet and sticky glutinous rice cake that is a homonym for a "higher year."

The Chinese word 粘 (nián), meaning "sticky", is identical in sound to 年, meaning "year", and the word 糕 (gāo), meaning "cake" is identical in sound to 高, meaning "high". As such, eating nian gao has the symbolism of raising oneself higher in each coming year (年年高升 niánnián gāoshēng). Also known as rice cake. This sticky sweet snack was believed to be an offering to the Kitchen God, with the aim that his mouth will be stuck with the sticky cake, so that he can't badmouth the human's family to the God of all Gods (Yu Huang Da Di). Source Wikipedia.

Round Fruits - Pineapples for wealth; Orange means gold for good fortune; Pomelo for abundance; Melon for family unity; Lychee for close family ties; Longan for good sons; Grapes for fertility and family harmony; Coconut for togetherness; Apple for peace.

Candies - Keep a tray of assorted candies on the tables for the visitors. This is called the "tray of togetherness" in sweet life. It is also believed in the Chinese Mythology and folk religion that the candies could appease and get the favor of the "Kitchen God" who returns to heaven before the New Year to report every household's activity of the previous year to the Jade Emperor, the emperor of the heavens or God of all gods who either rewards or punishes a family based on the Kitchen God's report.

Noodles - Oh, not to forget the noodles for long life. Be careful not to cut the strands 'though for you know what this would mean :)

4. Red Envelopes (Ang-Pau) - Red envelopes inscribed with lucky Chinese characters with gift-money inside are passed on from married couples or the elderly to younger unmarried members of the family usually teenagers and children. However, the Ang-Pau with money is given for good luck and to ward off bad spirits therefore should not be spent but kept inside the wallet or bag for good luck. The amount of money contained in the red envelope usually ends in an even digit more particularly the number 8, to bring good fortune according to Chinese beliefs. It is also traditional to put in brand new notes inside the red envelopes and not to open them in front of the relatives as a sign of courtesy.

5. Chinese Fire Crackers and Fire Works - Fire works and fire crackers are traditional part of the Chinese New Year celebration probably due to a folklore. It was told that a mythical beast named Nian would always come on the first day of the new year to prey on livestock, crops and even children! They would offer food on the doorsteps to appease the beast until the villagers discovered that the beast is afraid of the color red when it ran away from a noisy child in red clothes. Since then on they would wear the color red, hang red lanterns, use fire crackers and other fireworks to chase away Nian and other evil spirits.

The Chinese firecrackers are distinctive because the sound and make are unique. The most commonly used is a long roll or belt that has two rows of adjacent fire crackers on each side all wrapped in red paper. The flick is lit on one end igniting the firecrackers one by one giving out a continuous loud, popping sounds accompanied by a confetti of red papers with each blast!

The firecrackers are usually lit on the streets during the traditional Lion Dance and Dragon Dance.

6. Lucky Charms and amulets -  Many Filipinos are also superstitious, so needless to say, some truly believe in charms and amulets for protection and good luck while others just simply carry it with them or place them in their homes as ornaments. Here are some popular Chinese Lucky Charms that are highly saleable especially during the Chinese New Year:

Dragon - Dragon figurines will surely be one of the most popular this coming Lunar New Year because it is after all, the Year of the Dragon! The dragon symbolizes potent and auspicious power. It is believed to have control over water, rainfall, hurricane and floods. Historically, the dragon was also used as the symbol of the Emperor of China to depict his imperial authority and power.

In many other countries, folktales speak of the dragon having all the attributes of the other 11 creatures of the zodiac, this includes the whiskers of the rat, the face and horns of an ox, claws and teeth of a tiger, belly of a rabbit, body of a snake, legs of a horse, the beard of a goat, wit(or brain) of a monkey, crest of a rooster, ears of a dog, the snout of a pig. Source: Wikipedia

Three-legged Money Toad - A red-eyed three-legged Bullfrog sitting on Chinese coins with money on its mouth. It is believed to protect wealth, increase income and drive away bad luck and evil spirits. The Three-Legged Money Toad figurines are displayed in business establishments, office desks and homes.

Mystic Knot - Also referred to as the "endless knot or eternal knot,"  it symbolizes endless rounds of birth and rebirth, a continuous and uninterrupted flow of love, happiness, prosperity and good health countering setbacks, accidents and misfortunes. The mystic knot is usually hanged in the bedroom window or used as key chains.

Whatever your beliefs, a new year, whether based on the Gregorian or Chinese calendar is always a good time to renew our hopes and dreams for a better life. To revitalize our positive energies geared toward attaining greater heights not only for ourselves but for others as well.

Kung Hei Fat Choi!!!