These Foods Prove To The World How Weird American Eating Habits Are

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Ever wonder why people from other countries give Americans those funny looks when talking about our food? Well, it’s because some of the things we eat are pretty out there by global standards. These foods perfectly showcase how wild American eating habits are to the rest of the world. From deep-fried delicacies to oversized portions, here’s what makes our cuisine uniquely ours—and maybe a little bit crazy.

Head cheese sliced on a cutting board.Photo byPhoto credit: Depositphotos.

Ambrosia Salad

With a name that promises food of the gods, ambrosia salad delivers a confusing mix of canned fruit, mini marshmallows and sometimes, coconut or nuts, all mixed together with whipped cream or mayo. This dish challenges the uninitiated to reconsider their definition of ‘salad’ — and not in a good way.

Spam

Imagine opening a can to find a pink, jiggly mass that’s supposed to be meat. Spam is the mystery meat that’s sparked many a meme, often leaving foreigners wondering, “Is it really food, or a food prank?” It’s salty, it’s squishy, and it’s a far cry from the farm-fresh meats many are used to.

Cool Whip

Cool Whip might look like whipped cream, but it’s more like eating sweetened plastic. This faux cream concoction, made from a cocktail of oils and chemicals, is an abomination to the real deal.

Scrapple

A loaf made from pork scraps and cornmeal sounds like a humble, economical dish. But when it’s described as “everything but the oink,” turned into a grayish patty, and served for breakfast, it’s a hard sell for most.

Chicken fried steak.Photo byPhoto credit: Depositphotos.

Sweet Potato Casserole

A vegetable dish that decides to go undercover as a dessert, topped with a generous layer of marshmallows, that’s basically what sweet potato casserole is in America. This Thanksgiving staple confuses many, blending sweet, savory, and squishy into one dish.

Chicken Fried Steak

This is what happens when chicken and steak have an identity crisis. A piece of beef is battered and fried, then smothered in gravy, creating a dish that confuses non-Americans expecting something, well, chicken-y. They're probably wondering, “why not just eat fried chicken?”

Peanut Butter

An American classic that puzzles many abroad, especially when paired with jelly in a sandwich. The combo of sticky, sweet, and savory between two slices of bread is a peculiarly American comfort food that leaves others scratching their heads by the jarring mix of flavors and textures.

Instant Ramen Noodles

No college kid survived four years without this dorm room staple, yet the neon-colored seasoning packets and brick-like noodles can seem less like food and more like a survival kit item if you're accustomed to fresh, hand-pulled noodles.

Rocky mountain oysters.Photo byPhoto credit: Depositphotos.

Deep Fried Everything

State fairs in the U.S. take frying seriously, turning everything from Twinkies to soda into greasy, crispy oddities. This whole practice leaves health-conscious foreigners aghast.

Head Cheese

No cheese, just head. This meat jelly made from the head of a pig (or sometimes cow or sheep) is puzzline to say the least. The idea of turning what’s essentially a meaty scrapbook into a dish is not for the faint of heart.

Rocky Mountain Oysters

The ultimate culinary plot twist: these “oysters” are actually bull testicles. People are often intrigued until they discover what they’re really biting into.

This article originally appeared on Running to the Kitchen.