Bizarre and Unusual Candies from Around the Globe

Who says desserts can’t be weird?

When you think of strange foods worldwide, your mind may drift to items you wouldn’t dare eat, especially insects. If you’ve never sampled insects, you lack a reference for their taste; however, it’s safe to assume that most insects aren’t sweet. Therefore, it’s reasonable to believe that desserts aren’t the first category you think of when it comes to unusual foods.

However, as you are about to discover, desserts aren’t always classic or appealing. Most of these desserts are, in fact, delightful or delectable, but they also stand out as being particularly eccentric. Numerous dessert ingredients resemble insects, and one even features insects as a central element.

So, are you daring enough to take a bite?

Cendol in Malaysia

On the surface, a serving of Malaysian cendol might look like a bowl of worm soup. However, the worm-like noodles are actually made from food-colored jelly, while the broth is a sweet, delicious coconut milk. Although I need not mention how the red beans found in many variations of cendol appear, trust me—they taste absolutely heavenly; it’s a shame they don’t look so appealing.

Jalebi in South Asia

If you’re keen to try more desserts resembling worms, visit South Asian countries like India and Pakistan for jalebi, which actually resembles worms. Thankfully, jalebi consists of deep-fried, highly sweetened batter, creating a hard consistency that belies its wormy shape. Just to clear it up, jalebi is not made from worms—it merely looks that way!

Creme de Abacate in Brazil

When considering avocados—especially mashed avocados—you might envision guacamole, a dish delightful but far from being a dessert. Yet, traveling south of the border to Brazil allows you the opportunity to enjoy creme de abacate, an avocado cream that satisfies your sweet cravings. Infused with condensed milk and lime juice, and topped with nuts and coconut flakes, creme de abacate serves as guacamole’s sweet counterpart, a hidden treasure.

Chocolate-Covered Crickets in Thailand

If you’ve visited Thailand, it comes as no surprise that one of the most unusual desserts hails from this country. Chocolate-covered crickets are perhaps not the strangest edible item found in Thai markets, but they are on the sweeter side of edible insects.

As far as insect-based foods in Southeast Asia go, chocolate-covered crickets rank relatively high on the acceptance scale, even if the concept challenges the norm.

TIP: For a more adventurous experience, consider trying these crickets after enjoying a few drinks; by “drinks,” I mean standard beverages, not the peculiar concoctions you might encounter on your travels.

Hazelnut Chocolate Pasta in Italy

Italy is widely recognized for its delicious desserts and culinary excellence. Interestingly, its contribution to this quirky list involves a unique pairing of two prized exports: Nutella and pasta.

Technically, Pasta al Gianduiotti doesn’t contain Nutella, but rather incorporates chocolate and hazelnuts—Nutella’s primary components—as a sweet sauce for savory angel hair pasta. This unusual combination sets the stage for a culinary adventure, redefining both pasta and dessert.

So, while it may seem odd to imagine a bowl of spaghetti with Nutella flavors, it certainly epitomizes the creativity of Italian cuisine.