I was feeling cocky yesterday. I thought we were moving past Hork Fest ’10, and I decided to run a few errands. Silly non-psychic me didn’t know she’d be awakened at 1:30AM to Karis shrieking in horror at having vomited all over her bed again. Rinse. Repeat.

So, as I was adventuring yesterday I stopped by my local Asian food market. I was told they carried my much sought after freeze dried onions.

I enjoy going to this particular market. The produce is always amazingly fresh. People mill around in the packed aisles and don’t move out of your way, or seem even remotely apologetic. I like that because I don’t feel rushed to move aside for someone. I just go with it.

Looking for something specific in a market that you are unfamiliar with is quite challenging when no one speaks your language, and most of the packages are written in characters not even remotely related to your native alphabet. I never found my beloved onions. I DID find this little gem!

I was working my way down the chip aisle when I saw a young man struggling to choose between two packages of chips. He ended up going for these in lou of the shrimp flavored chips. I was so taken with (grossed out by) this package, that I HAD to buy it and bring it home. What do octopus flavored chips taste like? I dunno, but I’ll know when I try one.

I am always bummed out by the interesting looking things at the Asian market that are so processed that there is no way in hell they can possibly be good for you. (i.e. Fried gluten.)  Yeah, there’s definitely a cultural difference, but when it’s all said and done, my Asian market shopping counter-parts seem to eat just as disgustingly as my fellow American market shoppers. Soda and artificial sweeteners are equally bad for you, no matter what language they sport on their packaging. (Although, I must admit the packaging makes it sound nicer: “Is made of fantastic mixture of soft custard with fresh egg and lovely sweet custard cream.” Admit it – you want one!)

I guess the sheer variety of junk food just surprises me because I associate Asian cuisine with fresh vegetables and whole grains. (And before you all flood my in-box with email telling me that Korea isn’t like The Last Samurai, I KNOW. I also know Japan isn’t Korea, so you can save yourself writing THAT email too.)

As I was standing in line to pay, I noticed that of the 4 people in my line, and the people to either side of me in the next lanes over, I was the only person that didn’t have at least one package of raw chicken feet. They look very pale and confused without a chicken attached to them. There isn’t any meat on them to speak of, so I have to ask. What on earth does one do with chicken feet? Do they add flavor to broths? Kids! Dinner! I made your favorite – chicken feet broth. Do you eat them? Are they crunchy, like bread sticks?

Hey, I’m game to try ‘em. They might go well with my octo-chips. Someone send me a recipe, and I’ll feature it.

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