On The Write Path

McDonalds versus the World. #29

McDonalds versus the World...

Shadow Prowler-Spreading Love got me thinking about food. I wrote:

Today: leftover chopped-up chicken with leftover rice and leftover pinto beans, green
salsa, finely chopped cashews. Wonderful.

Some animals can digest half-rotted meat but humans don't do as well. It's why smoking, cooking, salting, sugaring, fermenting and pickling were so necessary. Lots of disgusting food out there that's quite edible and harmless. Raw chicken isn't one of them.

McDonalds is quite edible. But is it food?

Disclaimer: healthier than what I normally eat.

But why eat at a fast food place when you have other choices?

1. Familiarity.
2. In Costa Rica = clean rest rooms.
3. Standardized. You get what you ask for.
4. High standards. Corporate HQ is very strict.
5. You're American and have no clue what real food looks and tastes like.

I can't argue with #2-4.

But it's time to get out of your comfort zone.

1. Start at home. Most towns have some sort of local foods, ethnic restaurants, markets. We have sushi, French pastries, Brazilian, Thai, Mexican (Jalisco) among others. At market: Belorussian, Syrian, Greek.

2. When traveling know the substitutes. Pljeskavica in Serbia (spiced meat patty mixture of pork, beef and lamb) will substitute for hamburgers. Batidos in Costa Rica is basically a smoothie (I like mine with avocado). Korean bingsu is shaved ice as is Costa Rican copos dos leches. Hazelnut spread is cheaper than peanut butter in Europe. In the Balkans use ajvar instead of ketchup.

3. Go to markets. You can see the food! In Taiwan try night markets. In Japan street vendors. If there's a line the food is most likely fresh. I've ordered deep fried mudshrimp in Lugang. Takoyaki in Tokyo and Chaiyi. Swiss rosti (think potato cake) in Tromso in Northern Norway.

4. Pasta and pastries are everywhere. From wheat noodles to rice noodles. Rice and bread are common as are caakes and crackers. The toppings, fillings and sauces may look strange and the spices different but 'sandwiches' are found around the world.

5. If you are in someone's home say 'thank-you'. If you have difficulties due to allergies it's okay to apologetically say no (tell them beforehand); same if you don't drink alcohol. If you are vegan... say a prayer and try to be flexible. Try everything if you can stomach it. Locals know how to properly prepare foods you'll never get a chance to eat at home.

~420 words
Posted in "Blogville " 

I made a list of prompts. This was number 29. No hurry. There are 362 days in most years.