I know the above title sounds like the name for a fictional metal band, or an insult from a brainy 9th grader. In fact neither is the case -- I'm referring to "casu marzu," a delicacy in certain segments of Italy.
I've got to thank NPR for this one, I heard a story on my way back from school on Tuesday (I think it's the one linked to at the top of that page) and it opened my eyes to a whole new world of cheese I don't want to eat.
For right around $100 a pound you too can purchase some maggoty sheep cheese -- on the black market, that is. The Italian government has banned the sale of casu marzu, but apparently it is still fairly readily available. Essentially it is a pecorino cheese that has been seeded with particular maggots which grow throughout the cheese, burrowing tiny tunnels through it and thereby changing the texture. The cheese is consumed maggots and all, and eye protection is recommended as the little buggers have a nasty habit of jumping all over you as you try to eat them.
I know, I know, there's nothing wrong with bug-eating and nutritionally I'm sure this stuff must be a protein whallop. But for better or worse I've got a thing against eating bugs (see question 8 on the meme below) and I think I'll give the marzu a pass for now.
3 comments:
I completely agree with you Jed. That cheese sounds wrong on some many levels.
I think I threw up a little bit in my mouth. Thanks Jed.
Glad I could be of assistance to you, Neal. Just part of the service I offer here at OaU.
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