Monday Miscellany: Odds, Ends and Personals

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Last week I posted the following item:

Casu marzu (also called casu modde, casu cundídu, casu fràzigu in Sardinian, or in Italian formaggio marcio, "rotten cheese") is a traditional Sardinian sheep milk cheese, notable for containing live insect larvae (maggots). Although found mostly in the island of Sardinia, the cheese is also found in the nearby Corsica, where it goes by the name of casgiu merzu.

Byter Arthur sent me an email and asked: “Do they actually eat the cheese with the worms? Just curious. “

I hope you're not reading this over breakfast, Arthur.

The following is from Wikipedia:

Casu marzu is considered to be unsafe to eat by Sardinian aficionados when the maggots in the cheese have died. Because of this, only cheese in which the maggots are still alive is usually eaten, although allowances are made for cheese that has been refrigerated, which can kill the maggots. When the cheese has fermented enough, it is often cut into thin strips and spread on moistened Sardinian flatbread (pane carasau), to be served with a strong red wine. Casu marzu is believed to be an aphrodisiac by Sardinians. Because the larvae in the cheese can launch themselves for distances up to 15 centimetres (6 in) when disturbed, diners hold their hands above the sandwich to prevent the maggots from leaping. Some who eat the cheese prefer not to ingest the maggots. Those who do not wish to do so place the cheese in a sealed paper bag. The maggots, starved for oxygen, writhe and jump in the bag, creating a "pitter-patter" sound. When the sounds subside, the maggots are dead and the cheese can be eaten.

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Also from Arthur, in respect of the post about Zoku Lofts:

The man is a genius it looks fabulous I wonder if they would allow development like that here. Imagine how many people could afford to buy something like that or even rent one.  Food for thought .

Agreed Arthur, I could live in one.

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From Tobye in respect of Bismarck’s quote: “Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of others.” 

This is the best quote ever, but I must confess - I’ve been doing it wrong! 

Better later than never though-that Bismarck was quite a guy.  

Thanks for sharing!

BTW Otto, that “Ketchup” joke is used by Quentin Tarantino in “Pulp Fiction”. Uma Thurman’s character relates it to the John Travolta character-a light note after a wild night if you haven’t seen the flick.

Check it out!

Thanks Tobye.

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Here's a one-question IQ Test to help you decide how you should spend the rest of your day......

There is a mute who wants to buy a toothbrush.

By imitating the action of brushing one's teeth, he successfully expresses himself to the shopkeeper and the purchase is done.

Now, if there is a blind man who wishes to buy a pair of sunglasses, how should he express himself?

Think about it first before scrolling down for the answer...

He opens his mouth and says. 'I would like to buy a pair of sunglasses.'

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