Bucket List Foods

Are you an adventurous eater or the "stick to what you know" type?  

I grew up in a 'gourmet' family myself, where each of us would cook a meal and see who could outdo the other with wow factor and delectable flavor.  We had several favorite meals that we would team up for and each take a part in and also specialties that dad or sibling number two or three were especially known for.  

We were definitely a family that would try anything once.  I mean anything.  We've had everything including chocolate covered grasshoppers.  I remember our family being invited to dinner at a fellow workmate of my dad's house and they served Liver Pate on these fancy little dishes.  My whole family except for my mom, who savors a plate of liver and onions, were dreading the moment when we had to touch this delicacy to our lips.  Being the gracious guests that we were, we were determined not to let on that liver was not on our list of welcomed foods.  Then, low and behold, all but the youngest, were pleasantly surprised with the new taste sensation.  Really, I'm not kidding.  We even had a little scuff as to who would get to eat my little brothers uneaten portion.  (We we also a very frugal family and didn't throw ANYTHING away.)  

Just a few "different" foods

Now this list below has a lot of old favorites but is also full of things I never heard of, at least not by that name - but each of them are on my "to try" list.  Some of the dishes sound like it would involve a little world travel to even find such a thing.  Anyway, it was fun seeing how many I knew of and had tasted so test your eating habits and see how adventurous you are and let us know if any of these favorites are on your bucket list in the comments.

Just for kicks I've highlighted all the items I've tried in this list of 100 foods to try before you die.

1. Abalone-a seafood shellfish that also provides us with 'mother of pearl' jewelry

2. Absinthe-an anise flavored spirit beverage

3. Alligator- (tough and chewy but tasted okay)

4. Baba Ghanoush- always wanted to try but didn't ever have the chance

5. Bagel & Lox- what self respecting NuYawker has had it?

6. Baklava-sweet Greek pastries

7. BBQ Ribs-this is a given

8. Bellini-??

9. Birds Nest Soup-an edible birds nest is made into an Oriental broth

10. Biscuits & Gravy-hasn't everyone had these?

11. Black Pudding-??

12. Black Truffle

13. Borscht-beet soup, eaten cool-not my favorite

14. Calamari, seafood with tentacles, squid

15. Carp-goldfish

16. Caviar-fish eggs, come in red or black and very salty-good on fancy crackers

17. Cheese Fondue-warmed cheese to dip bread cubes or other items in

18. Chicken & Waffles-can't believe I've never had this combo

19. Chicken Tikka Marsala-not sure

20. Chile Relleno - love,love,love

21. Chitlins-pig intestines, not tried although I have tried cow intestines and stomach lining

22. Churros- Mexican long pastries

23. Clam Chowder- had the red Manhattan and the white new England style

24. Cognac- liquor

25. Crab Cakes-yum

26. Crickets

27. Currywurst

28. Dandelion Wine

29. Dulce De Leche

30. Durian - ???

31. Eel

32. Eggs Benedict

33. Fish Tacos

34. Foie Gras- duck or goose liver

35. Fresh Spring Rolls- oriental

36. Fried Catfish- Straight from the Creek

37. Fried Green Tomatoes-tangy and delicious

38. Fried Plantain-with butter and caramelized sugar

39. Frito Pie

40. Frogs' Legs-they really do taste like chicken

41. Fugu

42. Funnel Cake -at every festival in Texas

43. Gazpacho-just can't like the idea of a cold soup

44. Goat-Cabrito, makes a great combo with pintos and maize

45. Goat's Milk

46. Goulash-several varieties

47. Gumbo-only dish I like okra in

48. Haggis -????

49. Head Cheese-disgusting

50. Heirloom Tomatoes-not for a long time

51. Honeycomb

52. Hostess Fruit Pie- used to be a lunch staple in grammar school

53. Huevos Rancheros-once a week

54. Jerk Chicken

55. Kangaroo

56. Key Lime Pie

57. Kobe Beef- too expensive

58. Lassi- Is this the dog?

59. Lobster-makes my mouth water to think of it

60. Mimosa -champagne with citrus juice

61. Moon Pie

62. Morel Mushrooms-always wanted to try these, never see them

63. Nettle Tea

64. Octopus-a little leathery and the tentacles feel weird in your mouth

65. Oxtail Soup-Dad's favorite

66. Paella-spanish seafood stew

67. Paneer

68. Pastrami on Rye

69. Pavlova

70. Phaal

71. Philly Cheese Steak

72. Pho-pronounced Fa with a soft A, oriental soup

73. Pineapple & Cottage Cheese

74. Pistachio Ice Cream

75. Po' Boy

76. Pocky

77. Polenta-cornmeal usually formed into a patty shape

78. Prickly Pear-cactus fruit, minus the stickers

79. Rabbit Stew

80. Raw Oysters best with a little Tabasco on the side

81. Root Beer Float

82. S'mores-I operate a campground, need I say more?

83. Sauerkraut-the juice is the best part, I could drink a glass full

84. Sea Urchin-hmm, unusual

85. Shark-pink fish steak

86. Snail, they're okay but it's mostly the delicious garlic butter that i taste

87. Snake-of the rattle sort is what I've tried, a little leathery

88. Soft Shell Crab, along with lobster, my favorite fruit of the sea

89. Som Tam-???

90. Spaetzle- little tiny dumplings

91. Spam- yuck, although it's not too bad fried with and egg

92. Squirrel- in a stew they're good

93. Steak Tartare- raw, very lean ground beef, mixed with scallions salt and pepper

94. Sweet Potato Fries-a la Paula Dean

95. Sweetbreads-glands of a calf or lamb, pancreas, thymus, etc.

96. Tom Yum ??

97. Umeboshi  ??

98. Venison- not my favorite but my hubby makes a wicked chicken fried steak with it

99. Wasabi Peas-crunchy peas with wasabi, a salty flavoring on them

100. Zucchini Flowers- delicious and tender, great sauteed or raw 

Now it's your turn.  Have you tried any of these unusual foods or think there's something that needs to be added to this list?  Let us know in the comments.