Whenever we think of American cuisine, hamburgers or even McDonald’s might come to mind; however, there are some lesser-known delicacies that originate from the USA. The only problem is that due to some gross ingredients, not many people want to eat them. Here’s a selection of 18 American foods that people are skeptical of eating.
Spam
Spam is reformed ham that is mashed together and preserved in a tin. Hmm, yeah, we aren’t sure if that sounds so appetizing either. The name spam comes from the fact that this food product was originally made from ham mixed with spice. Spam was popular in America during the Second World War era due to rationing and the fact it’s a preservable, cheap source of protein. However, spam is now synonymous with poverty and hardship, and people tend to avoid it as a processed, low-quality food.
Rocky Mountain Oysters
If you saw these on a BBQ, you’d be forgiven for thinking that they were oysters. However, these are actually made from the testicles and genitalia of bulls. Humorously referred to as “cowboy‘s caviar,” the sheer idea of eating bull genitalia is off-putting for most people, hence why this food has become quite an unpopular option with Americans.
Scrapple
Scrapple is a combination of mashed-up pork scraps with cornmeal and spices, and it is usually served fried. This dish was originally designed to make use of leftovers and save food waste. However, many people find the idea of mashed-up food scraps unappealing, and we can see why.
Sweetbreads
The name sweetbreads is deceptive, and you’d be forgiven for assuming that you’re about to be served some sweet cake. However, sweetbreads actually refer to the thymus or pancreas of animals.
Fruitcake
Fruitcake is a sweet type of cake that’s packed full of canned fruits, and is usually served at the holidays. However, it’s well recognized that no one actually likes this cake, hence why it nearly always ends up being regifted and passed onto someone else.
Liver and Onions
Older generations were used to having to make the most out of every part of an animal to save food waste and money; therefore, liver and offal were common meals in days gone by. However, in 2024, no one is ordering liver, or any other animal organs for that matter, and they’re more likely to swap this for a sophisticated seafood option or a salad.
Jell-O Salad
Jell-O salad is made with Jell-O, cottage cheese, and canned fruits. This is actually still a very popular dish in Midwestern America. However, a lot of people find the combination of ingredients off-putting, and honestly, who wants to eat Jell-O with cheese? Emm, no thanks.
Chitlins
If you're in the mood for some fried-up pig intestines then Chitlins is what you should be asking the waiter for. While some people consider this as a bit of a delicacy, others (us included) consider it a pretty disgusting meal with gross ingredients. No, thank you, bye.
Deep Fried Butter
This might sound like an extremely unhealthy snack, and that’s because it is. Butter by itself is already a calorie-laden food, but to then add batter, and deep fry it is taking things to the next level. Apart from being extremely fattening, some people hate the idea of this American snack and avoid it at all costs.
Head Cheese
Before you get a little queasy, let us ask you to brace yourselves for this one. If the name of this dish didn’t make you want to barf, the ingredients might, as head cheese is made from a mixture of animal heads, gelatinous meat, and mashed-up organs. How lovely.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
Although peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are regarded as a staple of American culture, lots of people actually find the combination of jelly, peanut butter, and bread unappetizing, and often, it’s kids who this snack appeals to more than anyone.
Fried Twinkies
If you are on a healthy eating schedule, then we suggest that you avoid these at all costs, as deep-fried, cream-filled sponge cakes tend to be quite calorific. Although fried Twinkies are a popular feature of most American fairgrounds, the heavy fat and sugar content is too much for most people, especially as each one probably contains an entire day's worth of calories.
Pickled Pigs Feet
We are pretty sure that this one is self-explanatory, but, basically, most people don’t want to eat the feet of any animal, never mind pigs who spend all day running around in mud and other unmentionables. Ewww.
Ambrosia Salad
Ambrosia salad is a type of fruit salad that is made with marshmallows and coconut. It’s often considered to be a sickly sweet dessert, and not many people like it.
Lutefish
Lutefish is a type of white fish that is cured in lye, a type of caustic substance that is poisonous to humans. After the fish is soaked in lye, it must be thoroughly washed at least six times, according to Nordic tradition, to clean it and make it safe and edible. The fact that this fish is marinated in a poisonous substance is quite unappealing to most people, and we get it.
Hot Dish
In Midwestern America, there is one hot dish that has been popular since the 1950s. It is made with canned vegetables, ground beef, and cream soup topped with potato chips. However, it seems that this meal is an acquired taste as outside of the Mid-West people tend to reject this dining option and view it as unhealthy and old-fashioned.
Balut
If you don’t feel like eating a baby chick for dinner, then we suggest that you leave now, as that’s exactly what Balut is. This dish is made from a fertilized duck egg and is served as a developing embryo. Although it is traditionally a Filipino dish, it is still found in some American communities.
Gizzards
Have you ever wondered what the term “gizzard” means? Well, you’re about to find out. This is the stomach lining of birds, which is usually served as a fried dish, but for obvious reasons, these days, no one wants to eat this.
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