Kookychow.com - Edible curiosities

February 10, 2006 1:23 PM

KookyChow. All your favorite real grocery items are here: Sweet pickled watermelon rind, Gerber Graduates Meat Sticks, Pork Brains, and my personal favorite, Instant Natural Jellyfish. Just remember, "there’s nothing wrong with eating food that other people find absurd. In fact, there’s a big difference between absurd food, and bad food. Absurd food is a good thing. Bad food is, well..., not good."
posted by sdrawkcab (25 comments total)

Hey, I actually like pickled watermelon rind; my grandfather used to make it. And Utz crab chips aren't actually crab flavored, more Old-Bay flavored.
posted by MrMoonPie at 1:45 PM on February 10, 2006

Oh, yes, and pork brains in milk gravy taste like vienna sausage (regular, not barbecue).
posted by MrMoonPie at 1:46 PM on February 10, 2006

My grandmother used to make watermelon pickles. They were sweet and great. They are made from the rind. There's no "learning curve" with them. I think that anyone who likes sweet gherkins would love them.

I urge anyone here to try some. I don't know about the rest of the stuff, however.
posted by notmtwain at 1:46 PM on February 10, 2006

Gator chowder. Awesome. I especially love the way he's smacking his lips in anticipation of self-cannibalism.
posted by Gator at 1:51 PM on February 10, 2006

yeah they totally had me until they tried to pass off crab chips as weird/laughable.
You can't get decent crabs in new york, so sometimes I have to make my own crab chips with old bay and regular-flavor potato chips to remind me of home (in MD).
posted by jrb223 at 1:52 PM on February 10, 2006

I'm so not finishing my turkey and cranberry sandwich. Anyone want it?
posted by MiltonRandKalman at 1:54 PM on February 10, 2006

Watermelon pickles are great. And am I the only person that has a tube of anchovy paste in the fridge? Though I was disturbed by the marketing of the tuna jerkey. I don't think it needs to be pointed out that dogs and cats will eat human food, so I assume this is an example of dog food that humans and cats might enjoy.
posted by underer at 2:18 PM on February 10, 2006

Jellyfish is awesome. Delicious and nutritious. I usually flavour mine with a little fish sauce (anchovy extract), sesame oil, garlic powder, and magee. Finish with roasted sesame seeds.
posted by PurplePorpoise at 2:41 PM on February 10, 2006

pickled watermelon rind is delish!
posted by jann at 3:00 PM on February 10, 2006

Calbee shrimp chips are sooooo good. I'm getting hungry thinking about them. I think I'm going to have to see if I can get to the Ranch99 market before it closes.
posted by loquacious at 3:17 PM on February 10, 2006

Another vote for Utz crab chips--the best.

In Japan, I had shrimp- and wasabi-flavored chippy things that were also awesome.

One man's junk is another person's junkfood. I've had delicious menudo before, but it wasn't from a can.
posted by bardic at 3:20 PM on February 10, 2006

Menudo beef tripe stew has a shelf life of 16 years, then you have to replace it.
posted by amro at 3:20 PM on February 10, 2006

I tried making watermelon rind pickles once. They were too sweet, too soft, too vinegary, and too gross to eat. Anyone got a personal favorite recipe?

(cool post btw)
posted by rxrfrx at 4:04 PM on February 10, 2006

in high school I kept a can of Potted Meat Food Product on the dashboard of my Camaro in high school as a theft deterrent. any food that must mention the fact that it is indeed edible in its own name shouldn't be eaten.

"Partially Defatted Cooked Pork Fatty Tissue."

it just rolls off the tongue. yum!
posted by carsonb at 4:32 PM on February 10, 2006

minus one 'in high school'
posted by carsonb at 4:35 PM on February 10, 2006

I'm disappointed in any site such as this that omits Mr Brain's Pork Faggots (in a rich West Country sauce).
posted by darksasami at 5:00 PM on February 10, 2006

Where's A Sack o' Sauce in a Can o' Meat?
posted by maryh at 5:04 PM on February 10, 2006

btw, very nice find, sdrawkcab!
posted by maryh at 5:05 PM on February 10, 2006

Most of this was lifted from a zine called Beer Frame that was published in the 1990's by a guy named Paul Lukas. I've actually had the Crab Chips. They're quite tasty.
posted by jonmc at 5:42 PM on February 10, 2006

Monkey Gland Sauce. *shudder*

Shrimp Flavored Chips are great - Uwajimaya provides my weekly Shrimp Flavored Chips and Black Black fix.
posted by FormlessOne at 5:56 PM on February 10, 2006

This site is truly "mystery meat navigation" metaphorically and literally.
posted by rolypolyman at 7:57 PM on February 10, 2006

Some background: I live with a strange roommate, who brings home a treasure-trove of scary groceries. I wanted to know if Instant Jellyfish was an actual food item, or if it was just an unfortunate name.

Anyway, we are hoping she moves out soon.
posted by sdrawkcab at 8:52 PM on February 10, 2006

Many of these products were featured on several "Supermarket Finds" segments on Late Night With David Letterman, back in the wonderful glory NBC days.

Although i distinctly remember the Prarie Belt Smoked Sausages containing Beef Lips when Dave heldread off the ingredients. Maybe this a "new and improved" flavor?
posted by melorama at 5:13 AM on February 11, 2006

Since I started shopping regularly at several of the Asian food markets my idea of what is edible has greatly expanded. Two of my new favorites: squid jerky and ginko nuts. (Not together, though.)
posted by telstar at 4:01 PM on February 11, 2006

Calbee's shrimp chips (Kappa Ebisen) have been around since 1964 in Japan... since before I was born. The US equivalent would be like Doritos or Cheetos in terms of popularity. Used to always eat them as a kid, and now my son does. I'm a Japanese who was raised in the US, but for some reason, until I read this thread, it didn't occur to me that they would be considered "kooky." Oh, and I love jellyfish too!
posted by misozaki at 5:28 PM on February 11, 2006