Thailand’s Delicious Jolly Green Giants
Despite the many times I’ve travelled to Thailand I’m still amazed at the reaction of some Thais in rural areas when they see a westerner. Generally there’s delight mixed with a touch of horror as behind their beaming smile I’m certain their brain starts to freeze as it searches for one or two user-friendly English words. Produce a camera and their reaction is mixed too. They are either all-out shy or flash a big beautiful smile.
The top photograph was taken when Wonderful Wi and I were travelling from Sang Khom to Ban Dung in Udon Thani Province and the picture captures one of the best value-for-money things about Thailand, its cheap food stalls and fruit and vegetable vendors.
After cutting my way through the duo’s looks of amazement and beaming white-toothed smiles my eyes fixed on what Wilai was buying.
I didn’t know what they were. I didn’t even have a clue if they were fruit or vegetables. They looked alien to me and little did I know that Thailand’s jolly green giants were bright yellow inside and contained a high sugar content vegetable which I have enjoyed eating many times in the past. Actually I’m not sure if it’s a vegetable or fruit, or both rolled into one.
Any idea what’s inside this jolly green giant which is a steal at 20 baht for a bag of three.
I’m sure most of you are sharper than I am and knew the answer was sweetcorn, but I and probably a few others have only previously seen them unwrapped like in the photograph above.
The steam cooked sweetcorn is amazing value and very tasty too, but when I first saw them with their leafy green wrap I didn’t have a clue what they were. Would you?
