Another favorite thing to do on Fridays? F-f-f-f-freak-ay food, baby!
I have been planning this one for a while, just because it seems like the perfect odd duck food for my American palette:
Vegemite!
For those who don't know quite what this is, or have only heard about it through that classic Men at Work song, Vegemite is a fermented yeast paste, particularly popular in Australia.
Please note--suitable for vegetarians. Any takers? I did some research on this,and evidently it is used quite frequently by those in the land down under as a sandwich spread, or served with hot buttered toast for breakfast. Well, how can anything with hot butter(spray)ed toast be bad?
So that's how I decided to try it, in the traditional fashion.
I wasn't sure what to expect, because the only yeasty experience I had to draw on was my use of nutritional yeast a while back. I had used a couple different brands of "Alfredo" sauce powder and got mixed results, but liked the overall flavor of nooch--not quite as sharp or cheesy as I'd like though.
Even though I was gunning for the sharpness, I was worried about the Vegemite being overly pungent--I mean, I didn't want to feel as though I'd bitten into a chunk of sourdough starter. Yuck.
Tasted straight out of the jar, I was very weary and almost put off from trying it again all together, even though it looked exactly like hot fudge sauce.
Caution: This in no way is similar to hot fudge. Holy SALTY!!!But, adventurous as I am (sometimes), I spread it on some toast, spritzed away with a little spray butter and gave it another go.
Well, a little certainly goes a long way, but in combo with those other two items, it really wasn't half bad. It actually reminded me of super sodium-loaded mushroom gravy. I am feeling quite continental now, if I do say so myself!What's the most outrageous international food you've ever tried? Have a happy Friday everyone! xoxo
Oh, P.S.--does anyone know if you are supposed to refrigerate this after opening? It doesn't say on the jar. But, really, how much more fermented can it get?
P.S.S. Oops. I originally published this as FF #12, but it's actually #13. AND it's Friday the 13th! Ironic, no?
Posts
Oh, lol...have you seen the Scrubs episode where JD sings that song? I am going to have it in my head all night. Thank you for that :P
ReplyDeleteI've had vegemie and hated it- like it's brother, Marmite, you either love it or hate it. So the commercial says (and it's TRUE!) People also dissolve it in hot water to drink. Bleurgh. I'll take peanut butter for my toast and a cup of coffee!
International foods...hmmm...escargot, haggis, curried goat :) And the first time I was given peanut butter + apple I thought that was seriously weird! I grew up with PBJ sandwiches, but in the UK where PB is usually a savoury thing. Peanut butter, butter and ham sandwiches were what everyone else ate (FYI- PB and butter together are nasty!)
Holy bananas lady I cannot believe you tried that stuff. My parents eat Marmite constantly (English vegemite) and I've managed to make it through my whole life without sampling...the smell alone puts me off. Cheers to you for being brave this freaky Friday!! And if it's anything like Marmite, no refridgeration needed!!
ReplyDeleteI tried vegemite once and was not a fan. My Dad picked it up somewhere and convinced me it would be a cool thing to try. Ick!
ReplyDeleteHahah to the song reference! Classic! You're brave trying out the vegemite. I've heard horror stories about it but I'm glad to know it's not that bad.
ReplyDeleteWow! You are one brave soul! I've never tried vegemite but maybe now I'll have the courage to do so! Hope you have a great weekend girl!
ReplyDeleteI've heard about Vegemite, but have never seen it sold here around where I live.
ReplyDeleteYou are brave because this is not something I am willing to try.
Yay to freaky food Friday. Have a good weekend.
I love to start each of my mornings that way! You're right, I don't feel fully accomplished until I get through my reader.
ReplyDeleteHmm never seen or heard of vegemite. Weird! :)
Ya so I won't be trying that. But, I'm glad you showed me what it looks like. I've never seen Vegemite!
ReplyDeletebrave..... sounds like a poor sustitute for nutella ( a personal favorite)
ReplyDeletebut honestly I'd say my strangest food choices... um any english food - yeesh , how is it, they are such an old nation with such a rich heritage and their food stinks?
I'm so happy you tried this stuff! My mom has some in her fridge (I guess she likes it refrigerated!) and I pick it up, open it, smell it, read the ingredients, etc, every time I'm home. But I've never gone that extra step to actually TRY it. I promise I will the next time I'm home. With some butter on toast ;)
ReplyDeleteMy mom is also Scottish, and partially grew up in Ireland, so she eats a lot of strange English foods. Namely blood pudding, which I've tried, and is gross as hell!
This was an interesting post! I have never tried that, but I don't think I'd be it's biggest fan! haha
ReplyDeletesick. ew. gross. I HATE THAT STUFF!! my aussie boyf i had when living in london made me try it on toast and i spit it onto the floor. i hate it. to answer your Q about refrigerating it.. no, you don't refrigerate after opening.. you throw it away ;) MISSED YOU! going to catch up on your other posts. oh and i LOVE the 13 on the 13!
ReplyDelete