St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner, and you might be making plans to slam so much green beer that you'll be peeing out a shocking shade of shamrock for the next two days. But if getting wicked trashed and having scary-leprechaun hallucinations isn't your thing anymore, here's a green party idea that's just as fun without the requisite hangover.
Gather your best buds, whip up the dishes on our mouthwatering green party menu, and settle in for some noshing like you've never experienced. You see, this menu isn't a St. Patrick's Day standard like corned beef and cabbage--that's for the weak and wimpy. We're talking about a spread that will send shivers up your spine and keep your guests talking for years.
This menu is a random sampling of the strangest green foods around--some are totally repulsive, others are just odd. But it's totally worth it to see the faces of your friends as they pick over these pairings!
Photo Courtesy of HowStuffWorks.com
Frog Legs
Feel a little queasy? Maybe it’s just the photo and the thought of eating his legs. But frog legs actually come from the much bigger, bullfrog variety, and the green skin is typically removed before you consume the legs. If you still can’t see beyond this cute little green frog, batter and fry his appendages and you’ll discover what millions of hungry Cajuns have known for years—they taste just like chicken!
Check out this frog leg recipe.
Sea Cucumber
This garishly green bottom feeder, aka the sea slug or sea rat, is considered a delicacy in Asia and some parts of the South Pacific. Among its many wonderful qualities is a “rubbery and gelatinous” texture. It’s also considered an aphrodisiac because of its phallic shape—how delicious! You better get to the Asian market before they sell out.
Photo courtesy of TakenByTheWind.blogspot.com
Since you won’t be eating this (please don’t!) here’s a more palatable cucumber recipe.
Seaweed
Swirls of this green glop are guaranteed to satisfy even the heartiest of appetites. You can eat it straight up on its own or pile it on hamburgers, pack it in tacos, or swap it for spaghetti. No matter how you prepare it, the grassy, marine flavor of sloppy, wilty seaweed will add a unique and undeniable essence to food that you used to think was just okay.
Photo courtesy of TasteMemory.com
Here’s a better idea: make sushi. Seaweed (specifically nori) is a necessary ingredient in the much-loved Japanese dish. Check out this recipe to make your own rolls with nori.
Fiddlehead Ferns
If you live in the Eastern U.S., chances are you’ve had ample opportunity to sample this curled-up produce item. If not, here’s the gist: Fiddleheads are the unfurling fronds of Ostrich ferns (say that 10 times fast), and you need to cook the hell out of them to avoid food-borne nasties. But many people think these alien-tentacles are a delicacy, so if you live outside the Eastern U.S., you should definitely spend obscene amounts of money to get a special air-mail order.
Photo courtesy of TreeHugger.com
No go? No problem. Try this recipe with easier-to-find asparagus.
Soursop
Covered in thorny little prickles, this fruit is total yum—if you can get into it without injuring yourself. Never heard of soursop? Probably because it thrives in the tropics and the only place it can be grown in the U.S. is Southern Florida. If you get your hands on one of the sweet varieties, you can eat the pulp raw or process it into ice cream. However, do not attempt to throw it at anyone as you may unwittingly take out an eye and ruin St. Patrick’s Day forever.
Photo courtesy of FoodSubs.com
Can’t find soursop? No surprise there. Try this awesome dip with the more-familiar avocado.
Pickled Okra
Mmmmmm … pickled okra. Slimy yet satisfying, furry but fabulous. That’s right, furry. They look like pickles on the plate, but we think their delightful fuzzy texture adds a little something special to this vegetarian finger food. You might want to buy extra jars—your friends will likely flock to it, assuming it’s the only truly edible menu item.
Photo courtesy of Gather.com
Can’t stand the thought? Check out Pickled Dilled Green Beans for a pickled green without the fuzz.
The Unnatural Route
Maybe the above menu contains too many oddities for you. Or maybe you’re still intent on drinking that green beer but don’t want puke up some of those raunchy appetizers. No worries, there is still green food to be had. All you need is a bottle of green food coloring, a variety of your favorite pale-color foods, and the urge to be gross. Milk, oatmeal, eggs, pancakes, rice, pasta, couscous, cake batter, pizza dough, and ground turkey can be dyed a revolting shade of green if you really feel the need. It’s fun for kids, but adults may find it slightly less amusing (unless they knock back enough of that green beer beforehand).
Photo courtesy of DisaBoom.com
However you choose to celebrate, have a happy St. Patrick's Day!
by BakingBrenda
