It wasn’t so much the taste as it was the texture.
Tiny bones and fingernails slithering out.
Soft and spongy.
Spiced gelatin melting into my gums and teeth.
One doesn’t chew, but slurp their way through.
Navigating joints and ligaments, until every sweet, soy coated mouthful has disintegrated.
Standing on the hot line with the other cooks I dove into the Styrofoam box devouring this new experience.
Watching the joy, shock and delight mirrored on their faces.
Licking my sticky fingers.
Discovering a new respect for an ingredient I’d, up until then, only ever tossed into a stock pot.
All the way down to the last squishy bit.
Knuckles and all.
Yeah, it was pretty sweet.
My first time trying chicken feet :)