We’ve found that when travelling overseas Street Meat is on a whole other level. I’m not talking about a hotdog stand, or mini doughnuts, this is about scorpions, bugs and beef hearts. When standing in front of one of these stands it can be quite intimidating, and I get it, it may not be for everybody. However, if you can muster up the courage you just may surprise yourself.
When we toured around the heart of Lima our guide made sure that we stopped at her favourite street meat stand serving – Beef Hearts! Not only did we get a chance to sample a plate of these bad boys but we were also invited to grill them ourselves. I’ll confess; it wasn’t my favourite cut of meat but loads of fun and memories,
My first real exposure to eating insects was in Beijing with a deep-fried scorpion stand. The scorpions were skewered on a stick like a kabob, with the sticks presented as if it was a floral display. I got to pick which skewer of scorpions I wanted. <shrug> I pointed to a stick and to my surprise when the vendor grabbed it, all the scorpions wiggled their legs! I wasn’t expecting them to still be alive. The taste? To be honest, I was a little disappointed as they tasted like stale French fries.
After touring Stone Town, Tanzania all morning and on our way back to the hotel…we’re hungry standing in front of shawarma cart. A cart that hasn’t seen a lick of paint for at least 10 years and is loaded with three kinds of meat on a stick, samosas, fries, shredded cabbage, with a variety of baked goods. Plus – our shawarma meat on a spike.
We’ve never really sought out to have bugs as part of our routine fare, but they do seem to pop-in once a while. Luckily for me Janelle is all over trying the bugs – as we find ourselves in the Night Market in Cambodia with beetles for sale. Now we all know who’s up for the food challenge if we’re ever on the Amazing Race!
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