Hungarian Food

Stuffed Cabbage 

This past week I have been talking with the 9 KNY students about food. Why, you may ask? Well, they have an English exam at the end of May which will determine whether or not they can stay in the bilingual program or not, and one of the categories is food.  We have discussed British food, American food, and Hungarian food, but a few days ago the students surprised Aman (my British co-worker) and me by telling us a few of Hungary's more unusual foods.


Before I discuss these foods which are quite strange to Americans and Brits alike, let me just say that a lot of food in Hungary is quite enjoyable. Everyone has heard of goulash (at least I hope you have), which originated in Hungary, and there are many other food which I really like, including stuffed cabbage and chicken paprikash.  Buzzfeed Food even did an article about Hungarian food called "33 Hungarian Foods the Whole World Should Know and Love" which one of my students shared with me (If you would like to read it, here's the link: http://www.buzzfeed.com/anitabadejo/hungarian-foods-the-world-should-know ). Although there are common Hungarian foods that are still a bit odd to my American tastebuds, like soups made out of fruit, I still haven't tasted anything that I couldn't eat.


Getting back to the story, my students decided to bring up more unusual Hungarian foods for the enjoyment of Aman's and my reaction, and we did not disappoint. Here are some of the foods they told us about:

1. Some Hungarian will occasionally eat fat on toast instead of butter. One of the students also mentioned that some of the older generation will put sugar or paprika powder on the fat. I was told that this tradition started because families didn't have much money, so they would use fat instead of butter of margarine. 
2. Hungarians have a day when the family gets together and they kill a pig. They then make the pork into bacon, sausage, etc., but some Hungarians also eat parts of the pig that are not eaten in American, like the pig's ear, tail, and legs.  I think they also use pigs blood in some sort of recipe, but I'm not sure what recipe. 
3. There is another meal where they eat the genitalia of a rooster. Hungarian also will eat the lower leg of a chicken, the chicken's neck, and the head of a chicken. 

So, to my American friends, these all probably sound a bit strange and unappetising.  I personally haven't tried any of these foods yet, but I would probably try them if the opportunity arose. They have to taste alright for people to still be eating them, right?

On the other hand, some American foods seemed really gross to my 9 KNY students. First, they thought gravy looked really disgusting.  I find this amusing since I don't know anyone who dislikes gravy, but maybe if I make it for them they will change their mind. The students also did not like the idea of shepherd's pie, quiche, or chicken pot pie, and thought all three looked inedible.  They also think stuffing looks unappetizing.

I think discussing food with my students has been extremely entertaining and educational for both sides. There were a lot of horrified looks and laughter, and I personally had a great time. It's been fun learning about the cultural differences between Hungarians and Americans, and I look forward to learning more!