Monday, April 23, 2012

Please Pass the 8 Legged Hairy Creature

Every food that I have blogged about thus far, A - S, has been a food that I have or would eat myself.  That was the only rule I set for myself when I began this challenge - - first-hand experience.   There IS, however, an exception to every rule, and the letter T is it for me.   As a famous pirate once said, "rules are really just guidelines."   So, with rulebook out the window, here goes - -

Did you know that the T arantula is to a Cambodian what a Twinkie is to an American?  Yup, a sweet, succulent snack that kids beg their parents for.  But while the Twinkie is full of sugar and preservatives, the Tarantula is bursting (yes, gross pun intended) with protein.  So, as a responsible Cambodian parent, the Tarantula is clearly their snack choice.  Can you imagine a little Cambodian kindergartner sitting down with his sack lunch and pulling out a fruit snack and his Tarantula.   The little boy next to him spies it and his eyes get wide, "Hey, I'll trade you my Twinkie and a hundred dollar bill for your Tarantula."  And the kindergartner says, "No way, dude!!" 

If you ever go to Cambodia and muster up the courage to approach one of those Tarantula-selling street vendors, I've got a couple of helpful hints for you.  First, go for the crispiest critter there.  Why?  Because the longer frying time, the less squishiness in the abdomen.  Eeeew, gross.   And, if the Tarantula has been fried in enough oil and caramelized sugar, you'll hardly notice the hairs.   Double eeew. 

You can eat them whole, but if you're new at it (and hopefully you all are), you'll probably want to start by pulling two or three legs off at a time and chomping on those.  The reasons?  Well, first, with each crunch, you'll be able to taste  the salt, sugar, oil and garlic that the vendors use to cook those babies in.  And, second, if you put  too much in your mouth at once, you'll probably feel the legs jabbing at your gums from all directions.   That is probably not a sensation that you will want going on in your mouth while chewing.

But, here is the best (only?) reason to eat a Tarantula - - the Cambodians believe that they make you beautiful! 

Unless, of course, you get a hairy leg caught between your teeth.

This picture seriously makes me want to vomit.

27 comments:

  1. Oh, God.
    I don't want to sound intolerant, but that's disgusting!

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  2. That's just wrong.
    Twinkies are filled with preservatives and sugar and chemicals. That is why they are so yummy! I prefer a Ding Dong though. Not a fan of the spongue cake.

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    1. I think if the Cambodians had a DEEP FRIED twinkie they'd toss those tarantulas out the window!

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  3. everything for the sake of beauty !
    kidding of course
    that was so quick your reaction to Nancy in Zagreb today (she is a very dear friend) but did not feel appropriate to talk about personal friendships in the context
    anni

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  4. I agree with the ding dong person. Not even the promise of beauty would make me eat a bug or spider. I'm sure I ate some by accident in Venezuela, but I hope I never find out for sure.

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  5. EWWWWW!!! I've heard of fried grasshoppers, fried locusts, but never fried tarantulas...til now. I'm already scared of the daddy long legs in our backyard...but a tarantula? EEP!

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  6. Oh. No. Way. Ever.
    I hate spiders, even the little, teensy ones. I refuse to kill any that are bigger than a dime because of the squish factor. To have that squish in your mouth? I've just lost my appetite for the day.

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  7. speechless...I have nothing to say. except I would love a twinkie right about now too!

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  8. I just need to say to all of you above - - I love you guys! You make me laugh :)

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  9. I may never eat again...at least until lunch. ;)

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  10. Gack. Maybe (and that is a BIG maybe), I could eat a crunchy leg if there was a great deal of incentive, but the squish ... (shudder)

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  11. OMG, thank goodness I've already eaten. OMG, I've already eaten. 'Scuse me, I must dash to the loo.

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  12. It sounds like something the teams would have to do on "The Amazing Race." Me, I'd rather eat the Twinkie. Or a Devil Dog. Or some Oreos... :)

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  13. Oh my goodness, well I can tell you if I ever travel to CAmbodia, I will NOT partake int he eating of a tarantula...UGH!!!

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  14. GROSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!! This just reinforces the fact that I will NEVER travel to Asia under any circumstances.

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  15. How, nasty! I don't eat twinkies but if I can to choose one I choose those. Purely for the no hair, of course.

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  16. This post just made my skin crawl! Soooo disgusting!!!! Thanks Judy I feel like I have to peel my skin off now! :0

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  17. I'll stick with my twinkies . . . thanks for stopping by my blog, it's nice to meet you!

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  18. This made me laugh and feel sick at the same time! I'm going to pass on the tarantula and stick with the heavenly twinkie...

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  19. I couldn't even imagine eating a tarantula! It's crazy to think the different things people eat and consider delicious around the world! :)

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  20. This DEFINITELY makes me say "ugh!" There's no way I could do it. I think I'll pass on the beauty benefits for this one. *shudder*

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  21. I want to say that I would try insects in the places where they are regularly eaten... but I haven't had to face that situation yet.

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  22. I am fascinated--and okay, okay a little disturbed--by cultural variations--especially when it comes to food so thanks for this fascinating and okay, okay disturbing post. ;)

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  23. Here you go!

    http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/e1b4/

    You're welcome :)

    FYI, about 2 weeks ago I saw a twinkie and bought it just because of you! Lol! Really! Hadn't eaten one in years! Thought about you, bought it, ate it - just wasn't near the web to tell you!

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