Corso Family Wine Making Day: Part 2

I would like to preface this post by saying that I pride myself on my willingness to try new and unique cuisine. Sure, there are a few food items that I steer clear of, but for the most part, I’m very receptive to different foods. Of all the food that I have been exposed to in my life, there is one that haunts my dreams every year at about this time. During our annual wine making dinner, there is one dish that is inescapable. My aunts, uncles, and even my own mother enjoy this food to no end and to them and many others around the world, it is considered a delicacy. I consider it an atrocity. I’m speaking of course of…wait for it…

Tripe.

If you are unfamiliar with the concept of tripe, then I strongly suggest that you keep it that way. For those of you that must know, tripe is made from the first 3 stomachs of a cow and is about as appetizing as it sounds.

I'll just have a burger, thanks.

Now, I know what some of you are thinking: where have I heard of tripe before? Funny you should ask! Tripe is a staple ingredient in most dog food and has also been used in the English language as a synonym for “garbage”. Every year I try to choke down a single piece of tripe just to fit in and every year I immediately regret my persistence. I can’t describe in words how unholy this stuff is. I think the main reason I can never eat it is because my body simply does not recognize it as food.

Regardless of my personal opinions, people love this stuff… I guess. My family included. My grandma at least took the common courtesy of mixing it with her famous tomato sauce to help mask some of the more piercing odors. This whole thing has got me wondering… Is there anything that your family eats that makes you question their sanity?

Here's my grandma's attempt to make this stuff look like it was meant for human consumption.

Here's a close up!