The most interesting cuisines come from cultures that have endured famine.
Yes, I'm sure of that. There's an interesting (to me) series on the Food Channel about a guy who goes around the world sampling some of those really weird ones. He recently took viewers on a tour of Thai insect cuisine featuring tables groaning under the weight of deep-fried thingies with many legs.
I used to live near Pismo Beach, CA and a candymaker there came up with a transparent lollipop in a variety of flavors (lime, cherry, etc.) with some kind of big worm in the middle. It reminded me of the Mexican tequila(?) bottles with a worm in them. Anyhow the lollies have become world-famous and are a huge seller.
Does anyone else recall the horrible thing on TV 15-20 years ago concerning a special little bird (endangered as I remember) that is a French delicacy? (To the government's credit, catching and eating the bird is illegal). It's plucked and sauteed alive, then popped whole into the mouth, feet and all, still living. The diners wear big bibs and they get extra points for spewing blood out of their mouths.
Some Ukranian friends used to lick their lips in anticipation of chicken-foot soup! Regular old chicken feet (the yellow part) are cleaned very thoroughly and are used as a gelatinous soup base. And in my own Southern heritage I've heard tales of souse/head cheese, both involving a pig's head. There's a dandy recipe HERE