Who said eye balls are gross

Who can't say that they have turn their nose up or at least made a face that makes the brow scrunch up, head shakes vigorously and maybe the tongue sticks out when a unfamiliar part of meat is on the menu? We avoid it like the plague and resort to a familiar dish we have had before, because it's what we know.  We are creatures of habit, the unfamiliar scares us and we want something we know, for sure, we will love.  When that dish comes out and is put under our nose, our senses are open and it brings us to a comfort level and we can't wait to scarf it down.  We already know what that first bite will be like, there are no surprises. 

So who started this idea that meat that comes from certain areas of the animal are so good to consume and other parts are a big No-No!  How did we become so disgusted when we see pig ears or tongues at the supermarket that we quickly move on to beef shank or pork chops?  I am mostly talking about Americans, because in Europe or even Mexico, this is not the case.  They look at a pig hoof just as good and beneficial in their cooking as a stuffed pork loin. 

The interesting thing is there are positive quotes everywhere, on cards, facebook and websites about taking chances, "live your life to the fullest", "Think out side the box." Then when it comes to going to a restaurant where the chefs can make food taste better than you might be able to at home, we tend to not trust them when they put "cow tongue" on the menu for our consumption.

I am thankful I we raised with the thought "Always try something once."  Thus far, this has stuck with me and I have to say, I am rarely disappointed.  Another thing that follows trying something for the first time is an enhancement of your pallet, you will want to venture out more and get excited about the new "big thing" in food.  So I encourage you to step outside the box, once in a while order something you have never heard of and have a positive thought that you are excited about venturing into a unknown territory of the animal.