NationStates Jolt Archive

Inspired by the arachnophobia thread.

I eat crabs. I eat lobsters. I eat shrimps. I like them a lot. I also like eels.
But I cannot bear the idea of eating spiders, scorpions and snakes.
Yet crabs don't look very different from spiders; neither lobsters and shrimps from scorpions, or eels from snakes.

I think it is a cultural factor: in my culture eating crabs, lobster, shrimps and eels is normal, but spiders, scorpions and snakes are associated with danger, poison, and dirt.

What do you think? Do you eat snakes, spiders or scorpions? And crabs, lobsters etc? Would you try?

Inspired by the arachnophobia thread.

I eat crabs. I eat lobsters. I eat shrimps. I like them a lot. I also like eels.
But I cannot bear the idea of eating spiders, scorpions and snakes.
Yet crabs don't look very different from spiders; neither lobsters and shrimps from scorpions, or eels from snakes.

I think it is a cultural factor: in my culture eating crabs, lobster, shrimps and eels is normal, but spiders, scorpions and snakes are associated with danger, poison, and dirt.

What do you think? Do you eat snakes, spiders or scorpions? And crabs, lobsters etc? Would you try?


Spiders taste bad, trust me.

Spiders taste bad, trust me.

You actually tried them? Can you describe their taste? I'm curious.

You actually tried them? Can you describe their taste? I'm curious.
I'd guess chicken. >.<

Yes-I'd eat any of those,once I reached a certain point.

As long as I know its not poisonous or diseased. As long as it is actually edible.
Today,I'd eat a squirrel or a rat if I was hungry, but I'd pass on the scorpion.

In two or three days,I'd be eating scorpions.

I have no problem at all with shellfish,snakes and even frogs.

You actually tried them? Can you describe their taste? I'm curious.

Well it was on a dare back in my Ill-do-anything-for-$10 phase in middle school. Dead but not crushed. We fried it and I tried it. It had no taste but the exoskeleton felt slimey and the hairs were disconcerting too.

Well it was on a dare back in my Ill-do-anything-for-$10 phase in middle school. Dead but not crushed. We fried it and I tried it. It had no taste but the exoskeleton felt slimey and the hairs were disconcerting too.

Yeah-I think I find spider hair unapealling.


Maybe after a week,I'd eat one. But that would be if there was no bark or grubs to be found first.

I guess I'd probably have them if I were starving. Though as a vegetarian, I'm not going to hunt around the house for any stray spiders now, just to see what they taste like.

Well it was on a dare back in my Ill-do-anything-for-$10 phase in middle school. Dead but not crushed. We fried it and I tried it. It had no taste but the exoskeleton felt slimey and the hairs were disconcerting too.

What species was it? Why didn't you get poisoned or something?

Inspired by the arachnophobia thread.

I eat crabs. I eat lobsters. I eat shrimps. I like them a lot. I also like eels.
But I cannot bear the idea of eating spiders, scorpions and snakes.
Yet crabs don't look very different from spiders; neither lobsters and shrimps from scorpions, or eels from snakes.

I think it is a cultural factor: in my culture eating crabs, lobster, shrimps and eels is normal, but spiders, scorpions and snakes are associated with danger, poison, and dirt.

What do you think? Do you eat snakes, spiders or scorpions? And crabs, lobsters etc? Would you try?Yay, I'll totally take credit for inspiring this. ;p

I'm not a big friend of snakes but I could eat snake meat. I would MUCH rather eat snake meat than any kind of whole-roasted-bug. >.<

I also eat lobster and crab, although that's exclusively because I've grown up in a culture where they're eaten (not only that, they're even very desirable food).
As I mentioned in the other thread, however, I can't look at all those too many legs for too long or think about the fact that they're arachnoids for too long, or I will get queasy.

If scorpions had meat on them that could conceivably be eaten without them being served whole I would probably eat that, too.

Spiders, however, oh my God, never. Not even if they were so huge one could make cutlets out of them. Oh God. I can't even think about it.

I was switching channels on TV recently and happened upon a documentary about some rainforest tribe somewhere and of course just as I'm watching they're grilling this huge spider. I can still see all the legs flopping around even though I switched away in a split second. Gah, I'm getting goosebumps. >.<

Yes-I'd eat any of those,once I reached a certain point.

I have no problem at all with shellfish,snakes and even frogs.

I wasn't thinking of extreme situations like starving.

Anyway, why problems with frogs? They're delicious, expecially in a risotto.

I've eaten a Bird-Eating Spider. I was shown how to roast it in the coals of a fire, split the main body and eat the sweet flesh inside. Tasted a little like crayfish (rock lobster).

What species was it? Why didn't you get poisoned or something?Most spiders aren't poisonous. Unless you're in Australia or some other crazy place. <.<

Well it was on a dare back in my Ill-do-anything-for-$10 phase in middle school. Dead but not crushed. We fried it and I tried it. It had no taste but the exoskeleton felt slimey and the hairs were disconcerting too.

TMI!!!

...

...

*dies*

Well, spiders are hairy and small. It'd take quite a few to make a meal, and they're solitary creatures(to my knowledge).

The spider I ate was the size of a dinner plate. That was after we'd removed the legs.

I wasn't thinking of extreme situations like starving.

Anyway, why problems with frogs? They're delicious, expecially in a risotto.
Why, look at you. And here we're thinking the French were the only ones in Europe who (used to) eat le frogs...

I remember eating frog legs in France as a kid. They were tasty. Like tender chicken. [/politically incorrect]

The spider I ate was the size of a dinner plate. That was after we'd removed the legs.OMG.


What am I doing posting in these threads? *smacks self*

Well, spiders are hairy and small. It'd take quite a few to make a meal, and they're solitary creatures(to my rather limited knowledge).

Why, look at you. And here we're thinking the French were the only ones in Europe who (used to) eat le frogs...

I remember eating frog legs in France as a kid. They were tasty. Like tender chicken. [/politically incorrect]

*southern accent*
In America we call them Freedom Frogs!

In America we call them Freedom Frogs!

Da, tovarish. In Soviet Freedom, Frogs call YOU!

:confused: :confused:

Why, look at you. And here we're thinking the French were the only ones in Europe who (used to) eat le frogs...

Our good ol' French cousins...
Here in Lombardy we eat frogs and snails, too. Sadly, most of the younger generations are losing that habit and will go for a Big Mac instead of eating a snail ragout on polenta, or risotto with fried frogs.

I wasn't thinking of extreme situations like starving.

Anyway, why problems with frogs? They're delicious, expecially in a risotto.

I dont view frogs as a main source of food,thats all. I've eaten frog's legs on frogs I've caught. I would have no problem eating them again.
I have survival training. And I hope if I ever HAVE to survive,frogs are available.
I wouldnt order them in a restaurant,I just dont love them.

I can imagine them in risotto and agree thats probably a tasty way to eat them. I just think I have eaten them under different circumstances than you have.

I like rabbit too. I dont care for snails, but have eaten both freshwater and saltwater types.


My wife has urged me to go on "Survivor", but that show is no longer about actually surviving as much as cheating and telling lies and trying to be unique or outrageous enough for 15 minutes of fame.

I ate a worm in junior high, I didn't chew it, I rolled it up, and swallowed it with a swig of Dr. Pepper. [/random]

I think the deal is that we are indoctrinated that bugs are icky.

Hmm, maybe a new line of thought that some smart person may be able to shed light on: is taste subjective? If so, to what extent?

I ate a batch of large shrimp whilst in Portugal. Got a major stomach ache afterward.

As far as crabs and spiders go, I personally don't really see much similarity between them.

I bloody love crabs, but I'm afraid of spiders.

Oh yeah, also I've eaten Lobster and Snails before. Both very interesting.

Lobster = Texture like a fish, chewy like chicken

Snail = Very chewy. Bland taste without sauce

Our good ol' French cousins...
Here in Lombardy we eat frogs and snails, too. Sadly, most of the younger generations are losing that habit and will go for a Big Mac instead of eating a snail ragout on polenta, or risotto with fried frogs.
Meh, I think snails are overrated. They're served with a fantastically yummy garlic oil sauce here but, truth be told, it's really only the sauce that's so yummy, the snails are mostly just endlessly tough (as in unchewable) little buggers.

Also, you can eat as many snails and frogs as you want as long as they're bred for that purpose. I'm not so sure about collecting them in the wild. Specific kinds of "gourmet" snails are still on the brink of extinction in some regions and collecting them is restricted by law here.

*southern accent*
In America we call them Freedom Frogs!Lol, I only just now realized that you do in fact live in Australia, that crazy place with the poisonous spiders. :p

I ate a worm in junior high, I didn't chew it, I rolled it up, and swallowed it with a swig of Dr. Pepper. [/random]

I think the deal is that we are indoctrinated that bugs are icky.

My grandma was offered snake on her trip to the PRC. She asked how it would taste and received the answer: "Like dog!" She didn't eat it...

http://www.seagrant.gso.uri.edu/research/georges_bank/Images/Species%20picts/Used/Liparis%20atlanticus%20large.jpg

I've had this guy...Didn't taste good.

Hmm, maybe a new line of thought that some smart person may be able to shed light on: is taste subjective? If so, to what extent?

I think it is, I am not sure to what extent.

Texture is really important to me, if the texture is weird I can't eat it.

Meh, I think snails are overrated. They're served with a fantastically yummy garlic oil sauce here but, truth be told, it's really only the sauce that's so yummy, the snails are mostly just endlessly tough (as in unchewable) little buggers.



I like snails and do not think they are unchewable...

Meh, I think snails are overrated. They're served with a fantastically yummy garlic oil sauce here but, truth be told, it's really only the sauce that's so yummy, the snails are mostly just endlessly tough (as in unchewable) little buggers.

I had frogs' legs and snails in France. I thought the frogs' legs were like chicken but without any flavour, and the snails were gritty and tasted a bit like mud.
Fortunately the snails were served in garlic butter, so you dip the frogs' legs in that and eat them that way. Hurrah!

I like snails and do not think they are unchewable...Hmm. Did they come in the usual garlic oil sauce thingy?

I had frogs' legs and snails in France. I thought the frogs' legs were like chicken but without any flavour, and the snails were gritty and tasted a bit like mud.
Fortunately the snails were served in garlic butter, so you dip the frogs' legs in that and eat them that way. Hurrah!Wait, you had snails and frogs'legs in one meal together? What was that, the Tourist Special? :p

I ate dog biscuits once when I was a kid, does that count as exotic?

Wait, you had snails and frogs'legs in one meal together? What was that, the Tourist Special? :p

Pretty much. It was a school residential trip, so to reduce the amount of "please eat the foreign food, you might like it, just one" directed at the kids they served all the unusual stuff at once.

Edit:
I ate dog biscuits once when I was a kid, does that count as exotic?

Cat food.

Twice >_<

I like rabbit too.

Also eating rabbits and hares is quite normal here. This is a very simple way to cook it:
first you roast the rabbit for a while in a casserole with some olive oil (or butter) and sage
then you fill the casserole with milk and a pinch of salt, and let it simmer until the water of the milk has gone away and left just some light-brown crumbs. (that's about 1 hour, but it depends)

My wife has urged me to go on "Survivor", but that show is no longer about actually surviving as much as cheating and telling lies and trying to be unique or outrageous enough for 15 minutes of fame.
TV is teh ebil. We know that....

Naw it was a banana spider. I wasn't going to eat a black widow for $10 bucks. If you're gonna pay me to eat that, you'd better bring a credit card ;)

I ate dog biscuits once when I was a kid, does that count as exotic?

I think anyone with a dog has tried this. Those "Bonz" the fake bone with the fake marrow were actually good.



:p

Inspired by the arachnophobia thread.

I eat crabs. I eat lobsters. I eat shrimps. I like them a lot. I also like eels.
But I cannot bear the idea of eating spiders, scorpions and snakes.
Yet crabs don't look very different from spiders; neither lobsters and shrimps from scorpions, or eels from snakes.

I think it is a cultural factor: in my culture eating crabs, lobster, shrimps and eels is normal, but spiders, scorpions and snakes are associated with danger, poison, and dirt.

What do you think? Do you eat snakes, spiders or scorpions? And crabs, lobsters etc? Would you try?

It's funny - I don't eat crab, lobster or shrimp because they're big water bugs. Blecch. I wouldn't eat a spider, either.

It's funny - I don't eat crab, lobster or shrimp because they're big water bugs. Blecch. I wouldn't eat a spider, either.

think of how many people wouldnt eat shrimp in their natural state with antenna,etc?

Or even chicken? People are so out of touch with where their food comes from as well as its processing.

maybe if they were more aware,they'd also be more appreciative and less wasteful.

i must agree. I love frog legs, especially playing with them after eating off all the meat. :D

I've eaten a Bird-Eating Spider. I was shown how to roast it in the coals of a fire, split the main body and eat the sweet flesh inside. Tasted a little like crayfish (rock lobster).

Rock Lobster? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCMXndj6Fts)

I wouldn't eat a spider because it's too alien. I just can't imagine people grilling up large spiders and eating them. I suppose that means it's a cultural thing, because I don't think eating crabs and lobsters is weird.

think of how many people wouldnt eat shrimp in their natural state with antenna,etc?

Don't prawns/shrimp often come like that? Especially in restaurants, as decoration?

Or even chicken?

I'm a pheasant plucker.

When I was young, my grandparents owned a restaurant outside of Boston; we had frog legs and snails all the time, and I never thought of it as terribly exotic, until you'd mention it to someone else and they'd get all squeamish about it.

I guess I'd avoid spider and scorpions on the basis of possible venom, but it's probably cultural too. I know most spiders aren't venomous, but I still have a scar on my stomach from a spider bite I got several years back, so I've got a bit of a bias there.

think of how many people wouldnt eat shrimp in their natural state with antenna,etc?

Or even chicken? People are so out of touch with where their food comes from as well as its processing.

maybe if they were more aware,they'd also be more appreciative and less wasteful.

I figure there's a lotta water-bugs that owe their continued existence to my personal preferences in dining.

I'm a pheasant plucker.

Pleased to meet you, I'm a pleasant phucker.

Don't prawns/shrimp often come like that? Especially in restaurants, as decoration?



In fancy places or down south. I imagine most shrimp arrive on the plate as cleaned tails only.

Well I would eat pretty much anything if it tastes good. I ate quite a few exotic things, like crabs, lobsters and woodworms (I don't know their english name). I also had the occasion to eat fried ants (some sort of african ants) and they were quite good.
The woodworms were boiled, then roasted and were the size of a thumb. Tasted very much like chicken.

I ate them in tomato-sauce. Maybe the tomatoes' acidity made them more tender.

The secret's in the sauce, as a movie once so unappetizingly put it. :)

In fancy places or down south. I imagine most shrimp arrive on the plate as cleaned tails only.

Oh right.
It's pretty common in Blighty. I've shelled and pulled the heads off hundreds of the little buggers...

Hmm. Did they come in the usual garlic oil sauce thingy?


I ate them in tomato-sauce.

I enjoy crab, and shrimp is one of my favorite foods. I've tried snake before (though I don't remember what kind of snake) and it was ok...not something I'm going to buy if it shows up in my supermarket aisle, but not bad.

I don't much care for lobster. As for scorpions or spiders...I'd have to be starving. I'd rather stick with fried ants, which are quite tasty...I think they taste kinda like cashews.

Meh on the eel...my dad says they're gross.

I'll try most anything once...but I'll stay away from the spiders, thanks. :p