I love fruits and veggies, and I tend to eat a lot. That said, I found a few that made me second-guess my devotion to munch on them. I don’t know about you, but I’d definitely think twice about eating these!
1. Cactus Apples. This is a red or purple fruit that grows on certain cacti. Considering how hard it is to gather, peel and eat, and how eating more than three will constipate you, this is one I might avoid.
2. Durian. Don’t get me wrong, it tastes great. It’s the smell that troubles me. It’s quite nauseating, and I always eat this in an open area where the smell can dissipate. And the durian breath is nasty! It’s also quite fattening, so I rarely indulge.
3. Natto. The thought of these fermented soybeans entering my gullet makes me violently ill. Especially the threads that hang from it…
4. Fiddlehead Fern. It’s eaten in the US, yes, but it’s poisonous. Only a thorough cooking can remove the toxins. Personally, I’d rather not risk it.
5. Dulse. This is a purple seaweed, dried, sold in Canada. Algae, small stones, and flotsam stick to it, and is eaten as it is. Yuck.
Have you eaten any of these things? Tell us!
13 Comments so far
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I love natto, and have had fiddleheads often (part of “sansai” — mountain vegetables, served by a place we’d stay in the japanese alps).
Both are delicious, but acquired tastes, natto in particular. One nice variation on natto is maguro-natto, which is natto with chunks of tuna sashimi mixed in…yum! Also love natto-maki (natto rolls).
But in my mind, the best way to eat natto is tokyo-style. With a quail egg, diced scallions, shredded seaweed, a bit of soysauce, all mixed with a dollop of chinese mustard…for breakfast! Yum yum.
By Bob Matsuoka on 05.25.08 10:09 pm | Permalink
Cactus pears are great. They are easy t gather from the ccti or from
your local grocer. I open them with a knife and fork so I don’t get any
of the needles on my skin as they are minute and difficult to remove.
They come in yellow, green red and purple varieties that I have seen
and taste great. They are a watery fruit and I don’t see how they would
make anyone constipated, unless perhaps the multiple seeds are the
reason. Best served cold.
By Alex on 05.25.08 11:52 pm | Permalink
Fiddlehead Fern look pretty interesting until I read it’s poisonous. I’m not too sure if I would eat any of these. I would almost even eat something at McDonald’s before this… maybe…
By bbrian017 on 05.26.08 5:45 am | Permalink
Hi, I’m South African and here we call the cactus pears, prickly pears and we love it. Cleaning it is actually very easy if you know how but, you’re right about the constipation if you eat too many!
By Magriet on 05.26.08 2:32 pm | Permalink
I have tried Dulse when I lived in Canada and a friend from the east coast had some brought to her by friends. She loved it and ate it like a treat snack.
I tried it and thought it was disgustingly gross.
By Brenda on 05.28.08 11:14 am | Permalink
I actually eat fiddleheads every year when they are in season as they are a quite popular Korean dish (well, at least that’s what my mother told me growing up) after being completely dried and then boiled. Very delicious with rice.
By L.B. on 05.29.08 10:21 am | Permalink
I like dulse. It’s like beef jerky for vegetarians.
By jeff on 05.29.08 10:24 am | Permalink
I’m from Singapore and durains are very popular especially locally
Personally i feel it taste great and the smell isnt that bad
Durians here can cost quite alot too
The best durians may cost you close to 70 US$
Give it try i would say
No harm trying
By Logan on 05.29.08 4:43 pm | Permalink
Ive had Dulse and Fiddle heads, both i enjoy
fiddle heads are good with vinegar and or butter O.o
Oh and most of the dulse i get is riddled with small snail shells = /
By Justin on 05.29.08 9:42 pm | Permalink
Wow I’ve eaten 3/5. I don’t buy that fiddleheads are poisonous. I ate them almost every year growing up and I’m still here. And dulse is from my part of Canada. It’s not that different from Nori that’s eaten here in Asia… but yea the random bits of small shells are a bit gross.
By Catherine on 05.30.08 4:28 am | Permalink
I’m Chinese, 3rd generations decedents of Early Settlers in Sarawak (Land Of The Hornbills).
My grand parents settled here in the early 1900’s. Way before the British Brooke’s Family governed this land. (He’s later called Raja Brooke)
1st June each year the natives here celebrates the Harvesting Festival.
They greet each other by saying “Selamat Ari Gawai !!!”
1. Cactus Apples.
- Hmmm, love to taste some.
Here we only have commercial plantations of Dragon Fruit (both red and white variety). DAILY DIET. LOVE IT !!
Costs US$ 2.50 per kilo.
2. Durian.
- Available twice yearly. Local variety has distinct aroma and tastes. LOVE IT !!
Costs between US$ 0.50 to USD 10$ per fruit, depends on flavour.
3. Natto.
- During WWII, under the Japanese occupations, my grandfather and mum acquired the skills of making genuine Japanese Natto. She continues to make fabulous and delicious Natto till this day. DAILY DIET. LOVE IT !!! Consider stable diet. Has Medicinal values of prevention of hardening of arteries.
4. Fiddlehead Fern.
- 2 distinct varieties. Non-poisonous. Stable diet. Best served fried with garlic and red rice wine.
5. Dulse.
- Hmmm, love to taste some. (I love sea weed soup …. Miso-Soup my favourite)
Grown on highlands in Sarawak (non-native plants and fruits)
- cabbage
- grapes
- strawberries
- green apples
By Philip Tong on 05.30.08 11:41 am | Permalink
I have eaten Durian and I loved it!
By Kasey on 05.31.08 10:21 am | Permalink
Fiddleheads are great - boil them first (not too long) to get out the actually-quite-mild toxin and then saute in garlic and olive oil. Best food on the planet, and I’d eat them every day if they weren’t so seasonal.
Durian, now - I can’t figure out how anyone can get past the smell to actually eat it!
By Raven on 06.09.08 9:05 pm | Permalink
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