By Lauren Scott, Arizona Farm Bureau Intern
Let me ask you a question: What is your favorite type of food? I like Asian food as well as Mexican food, but there are hundreds of other types of food out there that I still need to taste. If you’re originally from another country, you might be partial to that country’s cuisine. You might also like the dishes from countries that surround where you grew up. That seems to be the case for me, anyway. Now let me ask you another question: Have you ever tasted food from countries far away from yours? And I mean authentic food from other countries, not from a chain restaurant that you can find on every street corner.
Truth is, although a lot of us don’t consider ourselves ‘picky’ we tend to be picky when it comes to foreign food. When was the last time you craved a hamburger? Probably recently. I had one for lunch just a few days ago! When was the last time you craved Egyptian food? Probably never. I don’t know if I’ve ever tried Egyptian food, to be honest.
For me, it’s not that I don’t want to try other foods, it’s that they aren’t as accessible as a burger. For my family, though, it is a matter of thinking they aren’t going to like it. They know they like burgers and fries because that is what they have had easy access to their whole lives. Food from other countries, on the other hand, isn’t in their food-related comfort zone.
If you’re like me and haven’t had access to diverse food choices, I ask you to do this: Try cooking it for yourself. You don’t need to go out of your way to find a restaurant that serves what you want to try. If there is a local business that does serve food you have wanted to sample, absolutely visit them. If you can’t find a place or love to cook, I have compiled some delicious recipes from across the world for you to try. Now you can take a food trip around the globe without even leaving your house!
Algeria: Couscous
Argentina: Empanadas
The Bahamas: Cracked Conch
Belgium: Moules Frites
Bhutan: Ema Datshi
Brazil: Feijoada
Canada: Poutine
China: Peking Duck
Colombia: Bandeja Paisa
Croatia: Zagorski Strukli
Cuba: Black Beans & Rice
Denmark: Smorrebrod
Egypt: Ful Medames
England: Fish & Chips
Ethiopia: Beef Stew (Wat)
Finland: Karelian Pasties
France: Pot-au-feu
Georgia: Khachapuri
Germany: Sauerbraten
Greece: Moussaka
Guatemala: Fiambre
Guyana: Pepperpot
Hungary: Goulash
India: Curry
Indonesia: Nasi Goreng
Iran: Chelo Kebab
Ireland: Irish Stew
Israel: Falafel
Italy: Risotto
Jamaica: Jerk Chicken
Japan: Sushi
Lithuania: Cepelinai
Malta: Pastizzi
Mexico: Pozole
Morocco: Tagine/Tajine
Nicaragua: Gallo Pinto
Pakistan: Pilaf
Philippines: Adobo
Poland: Pierogis
Portugal: Caldo Verde
Russia: Borscht
Singapore: Chili Crab
Spain: Paella
Sweden: Kottbullar
Switzerland: Fondue
Taiwan: Beef Noodle Soup
Thailand: Pad Thai
Turkey: Kebabs
United States: Burgers
Venezuela: Pabellon Criollo
Vietnam: Pho
Yemen: Saltah
There are enough recipes here that you could make one a week for an entire year, so you better get started! If we missed one of your favorite recipes send us a message or leave a comment, we’d love to create another list soon. If you try any of these recipes, leave a comment as well and tell us how it went. For more recipes visit the Fill Your Plate website.
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