Food Trotter

As a foodie who loves to eat and travel, the chance to savour local specialties is one of the greatest reasons and joys of travel. There’s no better way to appreciate history, people, or culture than through food. And along the journey, you get to see some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes, be they urban cities or ancient olive groves (note: I’m a city person). Here’s a list of food and travel events around the world for the month of November. One day I’ll embark on a food tour to explore them, until then, let’s gawk and daydream.

1. Hairy Crab Season in China
   When we think of autumn, we often imagine falling leaves of every color. In China, it’s the consumption of hairy crabs. Every fall, Shanghai and the Southern corners of China celebrate hairy-crab season by gorging on small bushy crustaceans prized for their sweet crabmeat and rich orange-coloured roe. I love eating crabs, but I find small ones like blue crabs particularly annoying. No bigger than the size of your palm, eating hairy crabs sounds like a chore that requires a lot of agility and patience. But hey, “an ounce of patience is worth a pound of brains”; in this case it’s worth an ounce of crabmeat, roe, high cholesterol, and death by heart disease.

   When To Go: Hairy crab season is from September to mid-November. Better book in advance and have a thick wallet, especially for crab banquets at the top restaurants. Be wary of counterfeits too, as you always should be in China, and look for laser engraved brands on crab shells.
   [www.culture-china.com]

   

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2. La Mancha’s Saffron Harvest in Spain
   For saffron, timing is everything. In central Spain, the annual saffron harvest lasts but a few days. Ever wonder why it’s so damn expensive? That’s because saffron is the red stigmas found in purple flowers that bloom for just 2 weeks of the year. Each flower only produced 3 stigmas (that’s right, just 3!) and must be hand-picked before sunrise to prevent the flower from blooming and drying out the stigmas. The harvest can be seen (or experienced) in the villages of Barrax, San Pedro, and Consuegra. However, it’s the region of La Mancha that holds the Protected Designation Origin status and (therefore?) the title of country’s best saffron.

   When to go: Want to take part in the back-breaking early-morning harvest? If it’s your fancy, the saffron harvest takes place in the last two weeks of October and sometimes lasts till early November. Bend down, pick up flowers, drop into basket, and repeat. But wait, you’re not done! The stigmas are then stripped from the petals and dried in ovens. If you’re like me, I’d rather eat the saffron-infused dishes and enjoy the annual saffron festival held in the village of Consuegra at the end of October. [www.cellaryours.com, www.euroadventures.net, www.atasteofspain.com]

   

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3. Lutefisk in Norway
   I saw this in an article about the 6 most terrifying foods in the world. It sounds utterly disgusting: a dish to prove your manhood and consumed by the Vikings. What can be so bad about Lutefisk? It’s a Nordic dish that features air-dried cod, soaked in a solution of lye (a highly corrosive industrial chemical), soaked again through several rounds of water to remove “most” of the chemicals, and cooked for consumption. Enjoyed for its pungent smell and translucent jelly-like texture, even I’m reluctant to try this. By the way, try to avoid using silverware when eating this dish, as it can permanently ruin the utensils. If this doesn’t already bear warnings, use stainless steel utensils and a signed will before consumption.

   When to go: Lutefisk season starts in November and continues to be enjoyed through till Christmas. Can’t wait? Lutefisk is commercially available in North America, where it’s consumed even more than in Norway.
   [www.visitnorway.com]

   

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4. Truffle and Mushroom Picking Season
   I use to think that truffles were those little chocolate treats that were too expensive for me. Low and behold, I’ve since matured and realized that real truffles cost a whole lot more. Every fall, in France and California, fungal growth goes wild and the hunt is on for mushrooms and the “black diamond” truffles of the Perigord in southwest France. The smallest shaving of a truffle not only enhances the flavour of dishes, but also tacks on an extra $20. Can’t afford it? Try looking for these black truffles on limestone slopes under the roots of oak trees. Otherwise go bargain at the Ste. Alvere truffle market.

   When to go: From November to March, the Ste. Alvere truffle market is open every Monday for business. For the more adventurous (or poor, your prerogative) go hunting around trees after rainstorms.
   [www.pays-de-bergerac.com]