mdstillman's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
Maultaschen
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Maultaschen

Legend has it that a monk hid meat in these dumplings to fool God.
Gastro Obscura
Salo
Gastro Obscura
Story
Meats & Animal Products

Salo

Usually, the only heat that gets close to this raw pork fat is a sprinkle of pepper.
Gastro Obscura
Vin Mariani
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Vin Mariani

Presidents and popes loved this cocaine-infused wine.
Gastro Obscura
Ortolan Bunting
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Ortolan Bunting

A cruel cooking method turns this tiny songbird into a rare delicacy.
Gastro Obscura
Gooseneck Barnacles
Gastro Obscura
Story
Meats & Animal Products

Gooseneck Barnacles

These expensive and dangerous-to-harvest barnacles were once confused for goose eggs.
Gastro Obscura
Heather Honey
Gastro Obscura
Story
Ingredients & Condiments

Heather Honey

A fragrant, difficult-to-harvest delicacy from the Scottish moorlands.
Gastro Obscura
Caws Pobi
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Caws Pobi

The fire-roasted cheese is the medieval precursor to Welsh rarebit.
Gastro Obscura
Seaweed Ale
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Seaweed Ale

The ocean-scented brew pays homage to an old Scottish style.
Gastro Obscura
Doing a Vermouth
Gastro Obscura
Story

Doing a Vermouth

In Catalonia, the fortified wine has its own weekend ritual.
Gastro Obscura
Paparajotes
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Paparajotes

Impress Murcianos by correctly eating these fried lemon leaves.
Gastro Obscura
Franzbrötchen
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Franzbrötchen

Local lore claims that German bakers made these pastries as an act of quiet rebellion during French occupation.
Gastro Obscura
Nokia Kuuma Koira
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Nokia Kuuma Koira

A Finnish city specializes in sausages housed in sugar-dusted doughnuts.
Gastro Obscura
Lebanon Bologna
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Lebanon Bologna

There's even a museum dedicated to this preserved meat.
Gastro Obscura
Hickory Syrup
Gastro Obscura
Story
Ingredients & Condiments

Hickory Syrup

A sweet regional alternative to the maple kind.
Gastro Obscura
Haggis Hurling
Gastro Obscura
Story

Haggis Hurling

One of Scotland’s quirkier sports involves tossing stuffed sheep stomachs.
Gastro Obscura
Alheira
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Alheira

This sausage saved Jews' lives in Inquisition-era Portugal.
Gastro Obscura
Aligot
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Aligot

These extra-cheesy potatoes resemble decadent fondue.
Gastro Obscura
Zarajos
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Zarajos

In Cuenca, chefs transform offal into succulent tapas.
Gastro Obscura
Poire Williams
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Poire Williams

Before they're filled with brandy, these bottles get attached to trees so pears can grow inside.
Gastro Obscura
Barquilleros of Madrid
Gastro Obscura
Story

Barquilleros of Madrid

To earn a waffle from these vendors, you must first play a game of roulette.
Gastro Obscura
Haggis Spice Chocolate
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Haggis Spice Chocolate

A very non-vegan dish inspired this vegan chocolate.
Gastro Obscura
Sbirro Cheese
Gastro Obscura
Story
Meats & Animal Products

Sbirro Cheese

Italy's first beer cheese gets coated in spent brewing grains and soaked in lager.
Gastro Obscura
Doces Fálicos
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Doces Fálicos

One small Portuguese town celebrates a saint with phallic cakes.
Gastro Obscura
Birmingham Balti
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Birmingham Balti

Once ubiquitous throughout the city, shops serving this unique Pakistani curry are disappearing.
Gastro Obscura