Faggots and Grits

There are a lot of strangely names foods over here and also at home in the UK.  Without further ado, here are my US and UK lists. 

Sloppy Joes.  Sounds disgusting but is actually kinda tasty and certainly very easy to make (I'm all about being lazy when it comes to cooking).  The kids always scoff this but will turn up their noses when I make something fresh that takes a long time to prepare.  So annoying!  Basically you brown some mince, add a can of the ridiculously named Manwich sauce, chuck it in a roll and dinner is served!  

Sloppy Joes

Grinders.  This is really just a sandwich so why not just call it a sandwich?  A Grinder does not sound remotely appetizing. 

Sliders.  Again, just another strange name for a sandwich really.  But this time, it's served in a small roll.  According to Wikipedia, the name Slider name may have originated aboard U.S. Navy ships, due to the way greasy burgers slid across the galley grill while the ship pitched and rolled.  Who knew? 

Corn Dogs. Sausage on a stick, covered in corn batter.  The kids love these, me not so much!

Corn Dogs

Grits.  Looks kinda like porridge, but is actually ground corn.  Even though I live in the South and will probably be blasted for this, I'm not a fan.

Grits

Rocky Mountain Oysters.  These are basically just bull testicles with a fancy name.  Again, not a fan!  

Raw Rocky Mountain Oysters

Marshmallow fluff.  This very sweet concoction looks just like it's name says, but it's basically just a sweet spread. It's very similar to the filling inside a walnut whip which is one of my favorite treats back home :)  

When I think about it though, we have some foods in Britain that probably sound downright bizarre to my American friends.  Here are a few examples:

Toad In The Hole.  My mouth is watering just thinking about this dish.  Sausages cooked in yorkshire pudding batter, served with onion gravy?  Yes please!   

Toad in the Hole

Faggots.  There are a few different ways to make faggots.  Normally, they're made from offal, pork liver, heart and bacon all minced together, sometimes with added breadcrumbs or herbs.  You eat faggots with mashed potatoes, peas and gravy.  I'll pass on the faggots though.  

Faggots

Cock a Leekie Soup.  Just a funny name for chicken and leek soup really!  Mostly the soup also has barley in it, but there is nothing sinister or disgusting about this dish :) 

Cullen Skink.  This delicious soup is made from smoked haddock, potatoes and onion.  It usually is also made from water, milk or cream.  We do like our soups in Scotland :) 

Spotted Dick.   Spotted dick is a traditional British pudding usually made from suet and mixed with baking soda, flour, molasses and nutmeg. Raisins or other dried  fruit are also added, creating the spots.  The pudding is steamed or boiled and served with custard.   

Spotted Dick and Custard

Black Pudding.  I miss black pudding!  We mostly have this with breakfast in Scotland.  Not so healthy but oh so delicious :)  Yes, it's made from pig blood, but it's also mixed with oatmeal, spices and onion.  Grilled or fried, it literally melts in your mouth.  In my opinion, a fry up is incomplete without it!  

Black Pudding

Haggis.  Although the ingredients of haggis don't sound very appetizing, it's actually a very tasty Scottish dish.  For real!  It's made from sheep's innards (liver, heart and lungs) mixed with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices and salt.  Then it's put inside the lining of the sheep's stomach and simmered until cooked.  It can also be put inside sausage casing should you not have the sheep's stomach handy.   In case you didn't already know, haggis are not wee creatures that run around Scottish mountainsides :)

Haggis

Jellied Eels.  This is an English thing.  Yep, it's exactly what it says it is and yep, it's DISGUSTING!!! 

Jellied Eels

So there you have it. I know there are a lot more strange sounding foods on both sides of the Atlantic, but this was just a wee sample for you.  What's the strangest sounding food you've come across?