Unfamiliar Foods

While in elementary school, I can distinctly remember thinking how gross and disgusting it seemed when people would talk about eating sushi.  Raw, uncooked fish was not my idea of a savory meal.  This sentiment stayed with me through middle and high school and even extended into college.

It was there, while working at a fancy restaurant in Princeton, that my eyes, and more importantly my taste buds, were opened to this unfamiliar food.  As a standard practice, the Executive Chef, who was responsible for creating the specials menu each night, would sit the staff members down hours before the place opened and review the newly added items.  The chef would describe in great detail where the food came from, any distinguishing characteristics, and share flavor notes that were important to convey to the guests; we were all then given small samples to try.  It was in one of these sessions that I was first confronted with eating this:

Being quite persuasive, the chef explained in an interesting way how with certain types of fish - such as tuna - if you cook the meat too long the actual internal structures start to break down and that completely changes the way the food tastes. So, I worked up some courage, grabbed my chop sticks and clumsily shoved a piece in my mouth.  

Immediately, I was hooked.  This was not just a food I seemed to like, this was a food I loved!  

Now, sushi cravings are common for me.  I pester everyone around me to get sushi as often as possible.  My favorite rolls - often sushi is wrapped in nori (a green seaweed) and rice to form a roll - are Spicy Tuna Rolls, Philadelphia Rolls, and this beauty - a Dragon Roll:

This experience has remained with me and I try to encourage my own children to try unfamiliar foods all the time.  We actually have a rule in my house that you can't tell me that you do not like something unless you have tried it three times: once to get over the shock of simply eating the food, twice to see if you actually like the taste, and three times to confirm whether you like it or not.  This rule has helped my children become significantly more open to unfamiliar foods than I was at their age.

Evergreen students - what unfamiliar foods have you worked up the courage to try?  What is the most unappetizing food for you?

As you think about these questions, try also to have an open mind - maybe even a Growth Mindset! - and make it a point to take the plunge and try it!

You never know just what new flavorful door could be opened for you!