A menu in Hanoi offered "prawns jumped to the ginger", which looks like an overly literal translation from the French. Much more intriguing - the invitingly named "Fried bowels in grease", and a mysterious "Net small appetite (150gm)".

Neil, we collect these from around the world, too, and Asia definitely offers some gems. My favorite was "fried gubbage."

here, this explains it better than I can.

http://www.seafood.no/eff/eng/effand...eafood%20Facts

We, too, have a collection of these. A favorite from East Germany in 1983 - "cracked krisp of chicken boob."

Thanks so much for all your witty replies. Sounds good to me.

Underhill, I've read every Agatha Christie book ! Coincidence ?

And while on the subject of unusual veggies, has anyone eaten a cardoon ? I know what it is (large leaved plant) but in all my travels, have yet to find a restaurant that serves them or a friend or relative that cooks them. Any ideas ?

Cardoons can be found in ethnic markets. We use them in italian dishes. They are related to the artichoke. My grandfather grew his own.

If I remember correctly, le cardon is supposed to be a specialty from Geneva countryside area, as a friend of mine from there once told me. I believe having seen it sold in tin cans at the local shops too.

"oven-roasted coward"...too funny!!!

Must've been a curry dish, giving it that yellow color, eh?

I meant Geneva-Switzerland.