Dog Food Is Good Food

The Colombian loves offal - in any shape or form, from any species - legged or winged - it doesn't matter. He's grown up on an odd assortment of meat offcuts including chicken heads and feet, cow vein soup, liver, kidneys, brains etc.

When I cook food for our dogs The Colombian always comments how good it smells and whines that I don't make extra for him. I have been known to buy meat from the dog food section which The Colombian will happily devour - as long as it is fried in fat with onion and coriander (cilantro) - he's one one very happy chappy.

I have also witnessed with my very own eyes the crushing of a pig head from a roast spit with the white, gluggy brain scooped out with enthusiastic fingers at the end of a party to replies of "Oooo nummy num " and "ah this takes me back home".

It is not a sight for the devout vegan or vegetarian (or those watching their cholestrol intake).

On the weekend we went to a BBQ with other Latin Americans and I watched in confusion as they enjoyed a hearty feast of:

• Cow salivary glands (with residue hairs attached)
• Cow kidneys (a bulbous stinking mass of flesh)
• Lamb intestines (very prettily plaited in to a long, decorative string I might add)

Of course I squeeked a meek "no thankyou" as the tray of delectables was passed around but felt succumbed to peer pressure similar to the "scull, scull, scull" beer cheer during O week at university.

With one bite I took a piece of barbequed salivary gland in to my mouth and chewed........

I then quickly excused myself from the table.