August 22, 2011

Japanese Pickles

I like trying new foods. I do have boundaries, but I will generally try anything offered in good faith at least once. 

I was intrigued by the specialty food sold in this store in a food mall in Kyoto. But I did not get to taste any of it. My guess is that these rolls right in front are some kind of vegetable in a mustard sauce, but I must call on my blogger friend Kaori from Shinjuku Daily Photo to set me straight.

Postscript: Thanks much, Kaori! Here we have one of numerous kinds of pickles - tsukemono - often served with a Japanese meal. This particular pickle delicacy originates from the Nara period over twelve hundred years ago. The famous kasuzuke, known as shiru-kasu-zuke or narazuke, was made for samurai by pickling fish or vegetables (typically melon, cucumber or eggplant) in a mix of sakekasu (sake lees, what remains after pressing sake mash), mirin, sugar and salt. The amazing part is that a great kasuzuke takes 1 to 3 years to make!  One more reason for me to return to the beautiful Kansai region of Japan.

Kyoto, 2009

The scene certainly fits right in with Mellow Yellow Monday.

How about you... how open are you to new taste experiences?

22 comments:

Luna Miranda said...

my friends call me "fearless".:p
i thought these are preserved pork chops *LOL*.

DeniseinVA said...

I like to try different foods too. We would miss a lot if we didn't. I enjoyed this photo very much, thanks Francisca.

cieldequimper said...

I'll try anything but please don't give me melon or sauerkraut! Right now, I won't try anything, I've had too much for dinner in this outrageous heat!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

We like trying new foods especially in new areas, but of course our range of places to try them is limited compared to yours. But these rolls are so lovely and yellow I'd really want to taste.

Maude Lynn said...

I love trying new foods!

EG CameraGirl said...

I like to try new foods...but I am a vegetarian so that limits me a bit.

The food in the foreground of the photo looks tasty. :)

Kaori said...

Oh Francisca! This is a fabulous shot of the famous Nara-zuke veggies! I don't know very much about the specifics, but I think it's pickled in salt. I've heard that it used to be considered a luxury food when they first started the Nara-zuke over 1300 years ago. Hope you'll get a chance to try it when you come back. I know you'll try anything at least once! ;D

Chubskulit Rose said...

This is a nice glimpse of Japan!

Mellow Yellow at my page, please come and see.

Twiggy said...

Wow, look at all the details in this pic! Love it.

Birdman said...

I'll try anything once... except lamb. Can't handle that.

Unknown said...

I always try new food, it's just part of the fun of travelling. Great shot!

Yes, I've watched 'Of Gods and Men' and I loved it, it's a great movie.

Kim, USA said...

I would definitely buy one of these food most specially it takes 1 to 3 years to make it? That is awesome!

MYM

jennyfreckles said...

I would try it - but not expecting to like it! I'm not a pickle fan.

Oakland Daily Photo said...

Visiting markets is one of my favorite things to do when I travel. Your photo illustrates why.

Halcyon said...

I like any kind of pickles. I'd be willing to give these a try!

jennyfreckles said...

Francisca, I just read your recent comments on my blog. I only have moderation on for older posts and that's so I don't miss reading them. Sometimes I get comments on really old ones from way back. I don't get comments sent by email as it just clutters up my inbox unbearably. I have WV for the recent ones because moderation means they don't appear til I've read and posted them and that slows the whole thing down. But I was getting some of those absolute nonsense things and some very generalised offensive comments. It is a pain though, I know.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

I had Japanese pickles, but not egg plants. In fact, I had not have pickle egg plants from any country.

The foot brdge was next to a train station.

Kala said...

I love trying new foods. Had fried pickles when I was in Mississippi.

Anonymous said...

Francisca, you stopped by my blog, so I am here and loving this! Japanese pickles, I have actually tried. I steer clear of any food that once had suction cups (like octopus - it makes my teeth feel like they're falling out just to think of it!!) and olives. But from being a "picky eater" as a kid, I've embraced a lot over the years... practically anything cooked in garlic I'll down for sure! Thanks for the intro! Peace, Amy
http://sharplittlepencil.wordpress.com/2011/08/22/laundromat-sunday-whirl/

Vi said...

I try to taste new food as much as I can. Just as long they don't look like they will crawl down my throat hehe ;)

Tall Gary said...

Yes, “Mellow” is a perfect referent. Such luxuriant richness of color in your photo. I can really smell the somewhat sour sake lees!

This was interesting.

I often ate takuan at certain Japanese restaurants but it was never a favorite of mine.

Unknown said...

I love food, but like you I have boundaries... nothing that wiggles...