Learning about Culture over a Bowl of…. Offal?

I just read this lovely article by John Birdsall, where he writes about the cultural gaps that are bridged when we partake of a dish that’s “foreign” to us — the story at the end is rather touching, as he recounts a breakfast of dinuguan and rice given to him by someone he now calls “Mom”.

What perfect timing, as Lasang Pinoy 9, the Filipino food blogging event, was just launched. This time Cia of Pabulum is hosting — her theme? Odd Cuts and Guts!

Though I pretty much stay away from offal these days, for health reasons more than anything else, I think it’s a perfect time to make my hubby and kids some chocolate stew (assuming I can find the right ingredients here), or maybe some lengua. I haven’t decided yet, as I’m also drooling over the possibilities of callos or chicharong bulaklak. Filipinos aren’t the only ones who’ve made a slew of mouth-watering dishes out of “discards”, but being Pinoy, these are the ones that move me! Maybe I’ll go vegetarian the whole month, in preparation for the offal onslaught!