What weird food did the renaissance people eat?

The Renaissance was a time of great culinary experimentation, and while many foods we consider "normal" today were enjoyed then, there were also some truly bizarre dishes that would likely make modern stomachs churn. Here are a few examples:

1. Peacock

* Why it was weird: Eating a bird known for its beauty, rather than its taste, was considered a status symbol.

* How it was prepared: The peacock was often roasted whole, with the feathers still attached, and served as a centerpiece on the table. It was often stuffed with spices and herbs, and served with a sauce made from its own blood.

2. Woodcock

* Why it was weird: The woodcock, a small migratory bird, was highly prized for its delicate flavor. However, its intestines were considered a delicacy, and were often eaten raw.

* How it was prepared: The intestines were usually served with a sauce made from wine, vinegar, and spices.

3. Swans

* Why it was weird: Similar to peacocks, the swan was considered a beautiful bird that was highly prized for its meat.

* How it was prepared: Swans were often roasted whole, with their feathers still attached. They were frequently stuffed with herbs and spices and served with a rich sauce.

4. Porpoise

* Why it was weird: Porpoises are small, toothed whales, and their flesh is often considered to be quite strong and gamey.

* How it was prepared: Porpoises were typically boiled or roasted, and often served with a sauce made from wine, vinegar, and spices.

5. Larded Birds

* Why it was weird: Larded birds, which involved inserting strips of bacon or fat into the meat, were considered a way to make the bird more flavorful and tender. However, it can be considered a rather strange and unusual cooking technique.

* How it was prepared: The strips of fat were usually inserted into the bird's breast, and then the bird was roasted or baked.

6. "Garnished" Foods

* Why it was weird: Renaissance chefs often went overboard with their garnishes. Dishes might be adorned with extravagant and unusual decorations like gold leaf, sugar sculptures, and even live animals.

* How it was prepared: This practice was more about visual spectacle than taste.

7. "Spice is Nice"

* Why it was weird: Renaissance cooks had a strong preference for spice. They used spices liberally in their dishes, and often used them in combinations that would be considered quite strange today.

* How it was prepared: They had access to spices like pepper, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and saffron, and often used them in extravagant quantities.

Important note: It's important to remember that these foods might have been considered unusual by modern standards, but they were considered delicacies by the people of the Renaissance. They were also a reflection of the time's emphasis on extravagance and status. While these foods might seem bizarre today, they were a part of the culinary culture of the time and represented a period of innovation and experimentation.