DAILY DIRT: Do you want to try breakfast down under?

Daily Dirt for Friday, June 6, 2025

I can safely say I have never had any of today’s breakfast items, and nor will I ever … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,307 of The Daily Dirt

1. Welcome to Day 4 of The Daily Dirt’s inaugural “Cuisine Week”.

We’re into round four of some of the world’s most interesting dietary items, and I hope you have your Pepto Bismol ready as we venture into some of the most unusual breakfast entrees I discovered.

1. Blood pancakes, Scandinavian countries like Finland, Norway, Sweden: These pancakes are made with animal blood, flour and spices. They have a dark brown color and reportedly a slightl metallic taste (due to the iron in the blood). They are usually served with lingonberry jam.

2. Ackee and saltfish, Jamaica: Ackee is a bright, yellow tropical fruit that contains toxins that can cause vomiting or even death if eaten before fully ripened, obviously making it one of the world’s most unusual breakfast ingredients. When cooked, ackee has a texture similar to scrambled eggs. It is typically prepared with salted codfish, onions, peppers and spices. The dish is described as “savory and sweet”. How about dangerous? 

3. Century egg congee, China: These are duck or quail eggs preserved in clay, ash and quicklime for several weeks or even months. This preservation process turns the egg whites into a dark, jelly-like substance and the yoke into a creamy, dark green center. They are often sliced and used in rice porridge for breakfast. Get that Pepto ready before trying these nasty things.

4. Huitlacoche tamales, Mexico: This is also known as “corn smut”. Huitlacoche is a fungus that grows on corn and is considered a delicacy south of the border. It reportedly has a rich, earthy flavor and has been compared to mushrooms and truffles (not by me, just for the record). Huitlacoche is a common filling for tamales and some (most in the U.S., I presume) find the look of the corn smut unappetizing. Black colonels of corn can do that, I suppose. As popular as it is in Mexico, huitlacoche is regarded as a “crop disease” in America and usually discarded.

5. Vegemite on toast, Australia: This is a big deal in the land down under. Vegemite is a thick, dark brown paste made from yeast extract and is notoriously salty and bitter. Aussies spread it thinly on toast for breakfast. The strong umami taste can be overwhelming, I am told. Vegemite is referred to as an “acquired taste”. That means it sucks. Remember the old Men At Work song? There’s a line in that song that talks about “a vegemite sandwich”.

On tap Saturday: We’ll continue Cuisine Week with some bizarre breakfast favorites around the world.

2. Did you know (Part 387)

• That it is against the law in Switzerland to flush a toilet after 10 p.m.
• That it is illegal to forget your wife’s birthday in Iceland.
• That in Turin, Italy, dog owners are required to walk their pets a minimum of three times each day.
• That in California, animals are not allowed to mate in public within 1,500 feet of a school, church … or tavern.
• That in Florida, if you tie an elephant to a parking meter, you must put money in the meter.

3. The top three most rat-infested cities in the U.S.

Gold medal: Chicago, Ill. This is the ninth state year Chicago has ranked No. 1 for rat infestation. More than 60,000 rat complaints are received each year by city officials. Some Chicago rats are now so aggressive they chew through concrete. One survey estimates more than 2 million rats live inside the city limits.

Silver medal: Los Angeles, Calif. Homelessness abounds and downtown garbage cans average about five rats apiece. Roughly 75,000 people now live on the streets, many of them having rats crawling over them as they sleep. Rat nests are also now being found in public toilets.

Bronze medal: Philadelphia, Pa. An aging sewer system and overflowing trash containers have been two of the reasons for a 65 percent hike in rodent activity over the past year. Exterminators have reported a 150 percent increase in calls since 2024. Rats in Philly have even been reported to have chewed through car engines.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — It is illegal to leave your house in Thailand without wearing underwear. You can be fined for going commando. I just want to know who checks.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. I’d like to see him eat Vegemite.