"Nat-o" Fan, but still hungry.

Hummus, guacamole, nato, phó, crawfish, saag paneer, báhn mi. What they all have in common is, I had to "put my big girl panties on" and try them for the first time. Most of the aforementioned were a big hit, dare I say pleasurable experiences. Some, AHEM, like nato, not for me. But I tried it. I wanted to get in touch with more of my Japanese culture, broaden my palate, it's supposed to be really good for you so I wanted to see if I could add one more to all the foods I love. For the non-nato familiar readers, nato is.... indescribable. Watch at :15 seconds, you won't need to watch the whole thing to get the point.

If you didn't watch, I'll give you the "quick and dirty" it's 1) slimy, 2) stinky 3) bitter 4) aftertaste 5) messy to eat. I still aim to experience more of my Japanese culinary culture but nato is "nat gone be" one of the japanese foods on my soul food list.

Why is trying something new such a challenge? For me, trying something new more to do with "fear." I've had food poisoning too many times, so I am leery. Now just because nato "burned," doesn't mean I am distancing myself from ALL Japanese food. That would be stupid, and I would really miss out.

I think eating new foods is a lot like meeting new people. Just because I've had food poisoning more times than I would like doesn't mean I am going to stop get pleasure from loving food, or loving people for that matter. With new food or new people, we draw on our past experiences and judge, will this person give me the "runs?" Will they leave me feeling heavy from their complaints like poorly fried food, or make me nauseous with their hatred towards life? Trying new people can be tricky. Unfortunately, we take these mental short cuts based on the region, "I don't like middle eastern food" or "if it looks xyz then no way, I only date..."

Whether it's Nato, or the "New Guy," what I am really talking about is how we handle "difference." Do we Demonize? ("that soul food is fattening and will kill you") Distance? ("I will never eat Indian because curry smells bad") Devalue? ("Street food is 'poor' people's food"), leaving us to disrespect a people, a tradition, and some of the best food  ever tasted?  

The funny thing about me & nato, or me and some people in my life is, at first glance, we might look like an old school "what doesn't belong together" picture. As incongruent as one might guess, Nato, like some "different" people, were more akin to what/who I love. I love okra so slimy is no problem. Fermented? Bring it! Kimchi burns so good. A Soybean? I know the type, me and "those kind of folk go way back." As different, yet similar as nato was, it still wasn't for me. But, I am glad I tried it; it may not have been pleasure, but it wasn't poisonous as it looked.