BOOK REVIEW: Fierce Food: The Intrepid Diner’s Guide to the
Unusual, Exotic, and Downright Bizarre by Christa Weil
Malaysians are reknown the world over for their love of food
and dining. At any time of the day we eat, eat and eat! With a vast array of
foods from around the world on our plate here in Malaysia, we have a
well-developed palate. But just how far can our palates go? A plate of fried
water bugs perhaps, or maybe a cheese notorious for its maggots as it is its
sulphuric taste? Thinking twice? You might just have a nibble of these dishes
once you delve into this book.
An alphabetical survey of the world’s most extraordinary
edibles, Fierce Food describes what these foods are, where they’re consumed,
and how they’re captured or foraged. For example, Casu Marzu, a rotting Italian
cheese with “guests” (you guessed it, maggots!).
Readers also learn how the foods are traditionally served
and eaten, and, best of all, what they taste like, because if you can’t
actually bring yourself to down Filipino embryonic duck eggs, reading about it
is the next best thing.
Fierce Food is a fascinating exploration of global cultures
that definitively proves the old adage, “one man’s meat is another man’s
poison”. Now if you will excuse me, I just loved the fried cicadas. They’re
absolutely fabulous!
No comments:
Post a Comment