Summer 2019 Issue

Door County's classic crop. Photo courtesy of
Jon Jarosh, Door County Visitor Bureau.

DON'T BE A 6-YEAR-OLD
 

One of the best parts of traveling is the food, and whether you are in this country or abroad, the opportunities to try all sorts of different flavors and textures should be exciting.

Unfortunately, it’s not for a lot of people. These people can only be described as wimps when it comes to approaching anything that is remotely outside their comfort zone when it comes to eating.

I was talking to one of my co-workers recently about an upcoming trip I was taking outside the country and what it was likely to present from a culinary perspective. He made a funny face and admitted his menu is limited.

I immediately teased him and told him not to be a 6-year-old. This is a guy outwardly strong, able for most tasks at hand, but could be taken down by a radish.

The interesting thing about this is that a week later he mentioned to me that when he’s been out to eat with his wife and scanning the menu, he keeps thinking back to what I said about being a 6-year-old. He said it really hasn’t changed his attitude about trying other foods, but at least it has him thinking.

I tried to impress upon him that he’s not going to know if he likes something unless he tries it, and I said much of the blame goes back to parents who are far too lenient when it comes to their children’s eating habits. It’s like they are willing to let them eat unhealthy offerings instead of giving them something better just so they’ll eat. Don’t force your child to eat something different, but put out healthy alternatives in hope that they’ll try them and amazingly like them.

This is a guy outwardly strong, able for most tasks at hand, but could be taken down by a radish

Now, I can be a 6-year-old when it comes to food, and I’ve done my share of keeping the snack food industry in business, so I am not without sin when it comes to eating.

But I will try things, and travel has provided some of the most memorable experiences when it comes to food. I’ve learned to be that way because my wife, Leslie, loves to travel, and having been married 40 years this June, there have been plenty of opportunities.

And I can’t say it got off to a good start. Our first trip to Europe 35 years ago began with a burger at the airport after a long flight. Let’s just say it wasn’t beef.

But it didn’t deter me from eating, possibly thanks to the amazing wine over there that makes most anything taste good.

Years later we visited some of Leslie’s cousins in Germany. We were hosted by one of them to a meal that featured a potato - coated meat ball. Again, I wasn’t completely sure of its origin, but I couldn’t have been prouder of my children who valiantly made an attempt at clearing their plate.

We went to China where a continual diet of different forms of noodle soup and a culture short on dessert resulted in a four-pound weight loss. I’ve never lost weight on a vacation.

So this most recent trip provided one more test. While I’m open to try just about anything once, even grasshoppers, I just couldn’t find myself eating octopus. Just the idea of those stretchy arms with suction cups didn’t seem appealing. Actually seemed kind of gross.

But after a little wine and the idea that these would be deep fried, another one of my culinary sins, I gave it a try.

And you know what? I really liked it. Like I said before, don’t be a 6-year-old.

Jon Gast 
Co-Owner/Editor of Edible Door