During the worst of the Depression, my mum in Canada had tripe as her only protein source. One night, she prepared tripe for us. In memory's eye, I can still see her sitting at the table, alone, savoring that tripe. Dad and bros and I were a respectful distance away, having tasted the tripe, and in full respect of her.
Conversely, my dad in SF during depression years had a rhubarb diet. To this day, he can't even bear looking at rhubarb.
Okay... here goes. True confession time. I actually puke on asparagus. It's my only gag reflex that I know of. Why asparagus? Haven't a clue.
I only began to like chocolate about 5 years ago. Never would eat it before. Why? Well, I think it's because I puked horrid chocolate after overconsuming some Ghiradelli Chocolate my construction worker/bridge builder Uncle had brought to us. A huge, 16x16 box of large chunks. Hurling chocolate through every orifice was enough to keep me chocolate-free for decades.
I haven't figured out the asparagus thing, tho.
Where were you that tripe was such a mainstay?
Usually, something you got sick on will turn you off on that food forever. I came down with the flu after eating green bell peppers. I still hate the slimy things 40 years later.
Pepper Pot is an old Philly tradition. I think it comes down from the Pennsylvania Dutch, who would not waste anything. It was a standard item on the menu in a 300 year old restaurant - where Hessian prisoners were chained in the cellar during the Revolution. Some believe they're still there.
The key with tripe is cooking it slowly for at least a day. Match it with a good chicken stock, spices, and spätzle noodles and it tastes pretty good.
The smell of watermelon makes me nauseous. I guess I'm a case study for this racist guide. I'll be checking into the reeducation camp soon.