Everybody has at least one food they really can’t stomach. Literally. Not because the foods them-selves are nauseating, but because the thought of them is! Are any of today’s spotlighted delicacies on your no-go list?
Blood Pudding: A beloved, indispensable component of the classic Full English Breakfast,
this ‘delicacy’ is considered disgusting by most folks in the rest of the world…
A case in point…
I once reconnected, entirely by accident, with an old high school friend, 40 years after we graduated. It was an epic reunion – in a cart collision at the supermarket, at the bottom of the Snacks & Bever-ages aisle. Ray had not been on my most-wanted list for dating back in the day. And he showed no interest in me, or any other girl at the time. He was laser-focused (as the TV news-heads say now-a-days) on attending the Royal Military College and becoming an officer in the armed forces. Which he did, in spades.
Retired a colonel…
Ray was such a good soldier – and possessed such a brilliant mind – that he naturally rose to the top, like cream on milk, and was chosen as an exchange fellow to teach at Sandhurst Military Academy in England. While there, he served in a British Guards regiment. And as a result of that affiliation, saw some extremely dangerous action, hunting IRA Provisionals in Northern Ireland. His last posting, back with the Canadian Forces, was here in Ottawa, at National Defense Headquarters.
He retired a Colonel, with a chestful of honours. You would have thought he was tough enough to endure any hardship, brave enough to try anything…
All that I learned when Erin and I had him and his wife of 30 years, Caroline, over for dinner to celeb-rate the reunion.
Alas… A faux pas
The menu included Beef Wellington, Roasted Potatoes, Glazed Carrots and, as a special treat, Braised Asparagus – imported, out of season.
As we took our places at the table, Ray’s eyes widened in horror. Caroline gave him an amused side-eye. And I just sat there wondering what was wrong. From his expression and rigid posture, you might have thought he was having a heart attack.
Nothing so serious
Ray stiffened-up as soon as he spied the Asparagus, on its lovely oval serving platter, glistening with melted butter, and sprinkled with fresh ground pepper.
“Maggie…” he finally managed to say,” You’ve presented me with the one thing in all the world that I simply cannot abide on a dinner plate!”
His rocky state was more mortification as a result of having to refuse the asparagus, than from any real, palpable cause. He simply had a deep-seated, unconquerable horror of asparagus. I doubt any amount of psychoanalysis or desensitization therapy would have cured him. He relaxed only when I chuckled and brushed off his rather animated ‘no thank you’ as a trifling thing of the moment.
A real reaction
There are a few foods that a significant number of folks just can’t abide. In some cases, it’s not just dislike of the flavour, aroma or texture. But a real, somatic reaction, like Ray’s, just seeing the stuff. Common such reactions include every imaginable human expression of horror and disgust. Some extreme cases include uncontrollable shaking, nausea and even involuntary vocalizations (i.e. – screaming).
What not to serve
So… If you’re wondering, LoveFood.com contributor Laura Ellis has kindly compiled a short list of the riskiest foods to serve if you’re not sure what your guests might like…
The Top 10, in descending order are:
-
- Oysters
- Anchovies
- Black Pudding
- Asparagus
- Escargot
- Capers
- Liver
- Coriander
- Okra
- Liquorice
Further down the list, you’ll find Olives at No. 13, SPAM at No. 17, and Beets at No. 20, just for example.
My take
Print out the above list and stick it on your fridge. And you will never (again?) find yourself in a situation such as I did that unforgettable night when Ray came for dinner…
~ Maggie J.