Event Thu Apr 16 2009

A Challenge for Food Daredevils

Hey, everybody! Balut is coming to town!

I realize that sentence could trigger any number of responses. There's those who think balut is a tasty treat. Then there's those whose eyes get wide because they know about balut. And then you'd have the people like me who'd never heard of balut until now.

More after the jump--and seriously, if you're easily grossed out or don't eat meat, please don't read on.

Balut is a Filipino delicacy that's basically a slow-cooked duck egg. Oh, and it's got a partially incubated duck inside that you eat along with whatever yolk is left. The duck fetus is about halfway to hatching. It may or may not have feathers, a hard beak, and bones. You eat it by cracking open the top and slurping out the fluid. Then you crack open the rest of the egg, throw a little salt on it, and eat.

Sound tasty? Or something that you'd like to dare someone into eating? Here's your chance! BananaQ is trying to bring this exotic dish to Chicago, and they're hosting a free tasting at the Wild Pug (4810 N. Broadway) on Tuesday April 21 from 2-4 PM. They'll provide the balut and bottles of water. You bring your taste buds and buddies. You must RSVP though--see BananaQ's site for all the details on the afternoon. Call Val 312-523-8052 to reserve a spot or e-mail bananaqbalut@yahoo.com.

And if you really want to see what this looks like (not for the squeamish!!), here are some pictures and a video.

— Jill Jaracz / Comments (0)