Not for the tender hearted
Have you ever wondered why sausages look the way they do? Perhaps the following definition will answer that

A sausage consists of ground meat ... and possibly other ingredients, generally packed in a casing (traditionally the intestines of the animal, though ...), and ...

Now that I have your attention, let me warn you, this post is likely to put some of you off. Honestly, that is not my intention, since this post is actually a socio-psycho-puko peek into the world of certain delicacies which, in other cultures, would be downright offensive. Unfortunately, I don't have a complete answer to the obvious question that must crop in your scientific mind; why is it that one man's meat is another's shoe. I aim to share my observations that have led me to ask this question in the first place.

Carrying on from the sausage example, if you thought that was a creative leap in the history of mankind, think again, for the sheer number of experiments performed by man on animal body parts will convince you that man intrinsically is a pervert, or from another point of view, curious.

Consider Haggis, a traditional Scottish dish.

"Although there are many recipes, it is normally made with the following ingredients: sheep's 'pluck' (heart, liver, and lungs), minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt, mixed with stock, and traditionally boiled in the animal's stomach for approximately an hour."

I am not quite sure which preceded which, or if indeed they were independent inventions, but I would really like objective research to be conducted on which is the more hideous concept - sausage or haggis. Interestingly, Haggis isn't the only one of its kind, there are variations available from different parts of the world. Drob from Romania, Balkenbrij from the Netherlands, Pölsa from Sweden, Saumagen from Western Germany, Švargl in Croatia, Kokoretsi in Greece all prove Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs and Steel theory about culture easily spreading across a continent that is wider spread on its east-west axis.

If that isn't gross enough for you, how about Þorramatur from iceland which consists of many different types of food - sour ram's testicles, rotten shark, burned sheep heads, sheep's head jam, blood pudding, dried fish (often cod or haddock) with butter and many other courses that are considered delicious among some Icelanders.

And if you were a vegetarian and were thinking in your patronising heads that "these philistines will be treated appropriately in the ultimate court of law," well, think again. For offensive cuisine is not restricted to meat alone.

Durian, a fruit, is to the Indonesians what the mango is to the Indians - it is considered a most outstanding delicacy and is often quoted as the king of fruits. But there is a problem. It stinks. A much quoted description

"A rich custard highly flavoured with almonds gives the best general idea of it, but there are occasional wafts of flavour that call to mind cream-cheese, onion-sauce, sherry-wine, and other incongruous dishes"

may be considered gentle when compared to some other descriptions

"its odor is best described as pig-shit, turpentine and onions, garnished with a gym sock. It can be smelled from yards away."

It possesses such a strong smell that it is officially prohibited in public places, even if you try to break the law by carrying it completely wrapped in a bag into a hotel, well, you've given the cleaners a good month long employment. The general belief is that it is very difficult to provide an accurate description, thus comparisons with sewage, stale vomit, skunk spray, used surgical swabs. But in the end, it is a delicacy, and locals swear by it.

But don't let the above cloud your impression or kill your appetite. It really is a cultural thing. Its all in the mind. Why, there's even a coriander haters club with a strong presence on the net. Its quite shocking, really, for coriander rates amongst the top few spices/garnishes used in Indian food, it adds such a spectacular flavour to simple food, its astonishing. And here are people that call it "smelly/stinky grass."

And thats it for just now. I haven't included some of the really "gourmet stuff" on purpose - like cobra blood in wine laced with leech hormone to stop it from coagulating - since these are not commonly consumed by people across an entire region/community. If i did that, you would really send me hate mail.

Footnote:
The above would realy not have been possible without the contributions of discovery channel, wikipedia and lonely planet. Many thanks.
- posted by Rallix @ 8:00 AM 0 comments

 
Azza Bhi Hota Hai!
Azharuddin leads India Seniors to exciting win against Pakistan seniors by scoring 82 off 78 balls. "Azhar's innings was a treat to watch... as he played with poise and comfort"

Azhar is also hopeful of clearing his name from match fixing and while he "refused to comment on whether he was made a scapegoat by the BCCI", I am quite sure he was. I would like to start a petition online to support his case. I have always been a huge Azhar fan and I am very very disappointed to find very few pages on the web dedicated to him.

It is disgusting that such a large number of people seem to have accepted his "guilt" when nothing has been proven whatsoever. I am not sure if we are addicted to sensationalism or to cynicism but in either case we are likely to accept the more perverted point of view as truth unless proven otherwise. Hence even though a great man like Kapil has come out in support of Azhar in the past, we refuse to give Azhar the benefit of doubt.

I think it is shameful to convict an individual before his crime is proven.
- posted by Rallix @ 10:16 AM 3 comments

 
Quote of the day
"People who enjoy eating sausage and obeying the law should not watch either being made" - Otto von Bismarck
- posted by Rallix @ 11:49 AM 0 comments

 
Cricketers Reporting and Cricketing Reporters
The Indian cricketing community is an extremely colourful community, and that is well known. Yet, I cannot stop being amazed by what comes up once in a way.

Sample the following from today's article on cricinfo -


no man, not even Jonathan "two thirds of the Earth is covered by water the rest by Jonty" Rhodes, can hold a place in a team on the strength of fielding alone. Kaif's numbers are dismal. 8, 5*, 0, 0, 4, 0, 0, 5, in his last eight knocks, an average of 22/7, 3.142857 ... If he remembers his high-school maths, Kaif will recognise that as the value of pi, the magic number that makes so many complex things so much simpler.

But nothing can ever beat Mr Sidhu (That is also well known). The following is what he had to say about the miss India contest

Beauty is worse than wine. It intoxicates both the holder and the beholder. Grace will last but beauty will blast. I would die for roses than live for bread. Beauty is eloquent even when silent.

And suggestions to the potential winners and participants

Fear clogs and faith liberates. The Indian girls need to be more self confident, articulate and adept at using the English language. The girls should be adaptable like chameleons; change colour according to the situation.

Truly, unbeatable.
- posted by Rallix @ 2:36 PM 0 comments