Settle a Dispute for Me...



While talking to Raksha recently, I was telling her about the joys of kimchi. Despite the fact that it is fermented (i.e. rotting) cabbage, I love it. The fermentation is so intense that it usually has a warning label on the lid that says something like, "Contents under pressure - don't point this at your face when you open it or you'll die." I have heard stories of it exploding in the fridge too... you have to respect a vegetable that can fight back like that.

I try it any time I see it on a menu, and I buy whatever different brands make their way into our supermarkets (although I have recently discovered to my chagrin that some brands are not vegan). Because it is often rather spicy - sometimes, take-the-enamel-off-your-teeth kind of spicy - she said she would probably not like it, and I agreed.



Later on the conversation had moved from food to other topics, and then found its way back to food. Raksha mentioned that one of her favorite snacks is raw carrots dipped in mustard. Now I like mustard as much as the next guy, but I hate raw carrots, and the idea of dipping them in mustard just made it worse.



As I was teasing her about the odd combination, she reminded me that I like spicy, potentially explosive, rotting cabbage... which lead to the following bold statement on my part:

"I think more people would eat kimchi instead of raw carrots dipped in mustard."

So, to settle this, I ask the Flock. Would you prefer kimchi or carrots with mustard. Please respond in comments, and tell us why. Remember, this is for amusement purposes only; please, no wagering.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Okay, if the choice is between kimchi and carrots dipped in mustard, I would have to go with the kimchi every time. However, if there is an option for carrots dipped in ranch dressing I would agree with Chrissy that carrots are the better snack.

Squid said...

Hmmm...kimchi or carrots dipped in mustard huh? .....The stomach say the carrots dipped in mustard, yeah gonna have to go with the raw veggies on this one.

Big Gay Jim said...

Given a choice between kimchi and mustardy carrots, I choose.......codeine! I mean...I'm on codeine. Cough syrup with codeine. Why is the world wavy?

Benjamin said...

[laughter] I love carrots and mustard, but kimchi is really something special.

Incidentally, do you remember the sluggy freelance kimchi strip?

inkandpen said...

Kimchi. Mustard makes me gag.

Modig said...

Oh I am so about the kimchi over here!

Raksha said...

I love Squid! I half love Benny!

And for everybody else, why do you hate America? Love it or leave it!

Anonymous said...

I would have to choose kimchi- I'm not dissing the raw carrot, just the mustard. I choose to dip popcorn in mustard not that fourescent yellow kind but the spicy or honey mustard. hmm I might have to change my vote...

Flynn said...

I like fish sticks with mustard..

i guess it depends on if the kimchi is flavor hot or chemical burn hot...

Linus said...

It can be either. I've had kimchi that was so hot that it made my eyes water just opening the jar.

The stuff I have at home right now is very mild. Made for gringos...

Rachel said...

I have long feared kimchi. It just looks sinister. No doubt it is truly delicious and life changing, but there are way to many new experiences in my life these days.

It's gonna have to be carrots in mustard.

Linus said...

RACHEL! How the hell are ya? Glad to see you back among the commentors... :)

sivartkram said...

Alright. Going out on a limb here. Both.

Ya know, together in a salad sort of thing.... or not. Why is everyone staring at me like that.

OK. Just the Kimchi.

Mandyfish said...

As long as we are going with raw carrots...I'm in that camp. Cooked carrots might be a different story...though likely not. Kimchi scares me.

Anonymous said...

So, kimchi was tasty, but it and my digestive tract are having a bit of a dispute at the moment, so can I just have the raw carrots? Without the mustard? I love carrots, and they don't make my stomach sad. :(

Linus said...

It's close, but I think kimchi got the most votes. Of course, we haven't counted the ballots from Florida yet...

Lynn said...

Definitely kimchi.

Thank you for the information about exploding kimchi. I'm presuming then that just because the kimchi explodes, does not mean I can't eat it, right? I bought some in a mason jar at the farmer's market last week, left it on the counter while I was out of town for five days, then this evening, cracked the lid. The contents began fizzing violently. I was able to run the jar to the sink, where the lid exploded off along with at least a cup of kimchi. Despite scaring me, the kimchi still smells lovely, and packs a bigger punch than non-exploding kimchi.

Post a Comment