#30: Try 5 new foods (semi-cheating...)

So, #30 on my list of things was to try 5 new foods.  Thanks mainly to my amazing parents, I have had the opportunity to try many foods that most people I know have never tasted.  Thusly, the purpose in me setting this as one of my goals was to really challenge myself.  That being said, I have decided that one of the gastronomical experiences I had last Saturday evening with my mom in Rehoboth was worth classifying as a "new food."  I'm quite content with many of you disagreeing with me - but I'm sticking to it!

Last weekend, my beautiful mom and I made a last minute decision to take a weekend excursion to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.  After time spent singing karaoke, eating a delicious breakfast buffet at the The Bellmoor, and perusing the tempting shops, we were off to our 6:30 reservation at The Cultured Pearl, one of our favorite restaurants in Rehoboth. 

With our philosophy that "if they're making it a special, it probably is special" my mom and I ordered many of the nightly offerings, as well as our usual seaweed salad.  At the last moment, my mom remembered to ask if they had uni (sea urchin) that evening - an item that is an unfortunate rarity in many of our local sushi bars.  Lucky for us - they had FRESH uni in stock that evening - little did we know we were in for such a treat.  Sooooo...behold the amazing-ness that was our uni special...

Honestly, the reason I am counting this delicious item towards my goal of trying 5 new foods is because this uni was unlike anything I have ever tasted.  It had a light, sweet, almost ethereal taste with a custardy, melt-in-your-mouth texture.  It was, in a word, mindblowing (not an exaggeration).  My mom lived in California for a good portion of her life in areas that are known for fresh seafood and she commented that she had not had anything that fresh since living in that state. 

So...I'm counting it.  I know it's cheating - but this was unlike any uni I have ever consumed so, in my mind, it was a "new food" to me.

By the way...mom and I DEFINITELY placed another order... :)