Wednesday, December 3, 2008

The Newsroom Smells Like Sushi Land

I feel a little embarrassed chowing down on sushi in the newsroom, chopsticks and all. I don't want people to get grossed out by raw fish, or fish eggs, or whatever else is stuffed into these neat pinwheel California rolls. But they are oh so good, with a little bit of ginger and wasabi. A perfect light lunch.

My fear of being embarrassed over food began when I was a young child. My Dad packed me a sandwich I thought was absolutely divine, but other children used as a laughingstock. Peanut butter, pickle, and mayonnaise. Yes, I know you are probably grimacing as you read this, but trust me, it's delicous. Nowadays when I mention the concoction, adults wrinkle their nose and say "yuck". But children were brutal. Pointing. Laughing. Whispering. "Look what she's eating. She must be a freak." Eventually I couldn't take it and told my Dad not to make peanut butter, pickle, mayonnaise anymore.

I used to think sushi was disgusting. I'd go with my family to Sushi Land and feel nauseated watching those dishes of raw fish go around and around. I thought it smelled like I was in the middle of an aquarium that hadn't been washed in days. I refused to eat sushi for YEARS, and now, am finally aquiring a pretty big taste for it. At the moment, my mouth is so stuffed with California roll that I both feel and look like a chipmunk. I hope none of my coworkers come to talk to me while I have this wad in my cheek.

So tell me, is there a food you hated, and now like? Or is there a food you eat that embarrases you?

10 comments:

Neo said...

tried your dads sandwich, not bad, really, I liked it, of course everyone in the house was like ewwww, gross, you'll be sick on the first bite. but any how, I used to hate lima beans, not so bad now, in fact not much taste at all, probably the reason I didn't like them was not enough flavor, thanks for the new sandwich.

Anonymous said...

I like sushi, though my taste has moved more towards the cooked renditions (just little bits of raw, rather than full on chunks of sashimi). Love California handrolls - and think there is nothing raw in them (usually fake crab & avocado) - except maybe the sea urchin eggs?. I can't think of anything I eat which is too weird - but things I won't eat because the thought of them is too unappetizing - e.g., rabbit, menudo, eel. A friend who was poor said his dad used to shoot possums for dinner - I'd probably stick to beans and rice. Oh yeah - the one thing which some might think is weird are the tentacle portions of calimari. Kristin used to think these looked like spiders and I don't know if she will eat them. It makes me wonder how much of appetite lies in the mind rather than just the tastebuds. My boyfriend cannot believe a concoction exists wherein you stuff a chicken up a turkey's rear and then a duck up the chicken's rear, and cook and eat it (available locally, called Turkenducken) He said why not take it to theend and stuff in a sparrow and a hummingbird. Food is interesting. Apparently my Belgian ancestors ate horse!

Kristin said...

Neo - you're brave! I'm glad you tried it and didn't think it was disgusting.

Mom - I still won't eat those spidery calamari legs. Like friend daddy long legs. EWWW. And I didn't know we had Belgian ancestors. Must be why I like waffles so much.

Anonymous said...

Geography lesson: Our Belgian ancestors were Flemish. DeVore is a Flemish name, apparently. They lived in the part of Belgium now called Flanders. Then the Belgians dominated the Flemish, but I think they are still there. :-) Eating horses or whatever else they do. Drink beer?

dog grrrrl said...

I used to be a very picky eater. No mayo, red meat, mushrooms or most green veggies. Now I eat all but mushrooms...ewww fungus! Can't do Calamari either...well I can but then if I look too closely or start thinking about it I can't again. Most embarrassing? Still like Kraft Mac and cheese:)

Colleen said...

Girl... I feel the same way when I try to bring leftover broccoli or brussel sprouts! They always smell like farts the day after!! Haha

andrea said...

I loved bringing hot dog sandwhiches, but the kids would look at me funny, but those were always my snacks, hot dog weeners with mustard, ketchup and sour cream, so mom would just create that in a sandwich for me. She'd slice them down the middle and they'd be on white bread. I loved them!

Contact Travis said...

I loved peanut butter and onion sandwichs as a kid. also after thanksgiving i used to love a peanut butter and warm turkey sandwich.

for sure kids made fun of my weird sandwichs...but i never cared.

now i bring food to work and i feel like all the germphobes are watching me eat at my desk and silently judging me...

Contact Travis said...

PS. I've been to Belgium and its a beautiful county (now they eat a lot of muscles, not many horses)...you should go and explore your family history! the last time I was there the national tourism slogan was "Belgium, its a little bit different" (and it was).

Anonymous said...

Yes, in fact I hear in Belgium mussels and french dries are a popular combination! Seriously, I do hear that Belgium is a wonderful, beautiful country and I would love to go. I'm just emphasizing the horse eating for dramatic effect. :-) I hear in most places they eat horse, France, Italy, etc.