Exotic Foods as Unique as Leap Year

This year marks that special, once-every-four-years event: Leap Year. To celebrate the appearance of February 29, we’ve found six out-of-the-ordinary specialty foods to brave on this rare occasion. Here’s to living on the culinary edge!—Denise Shoukas

Ants floating in a lollipop.

Straight from England, the Antlix Lollipop ($6/pop; edible.com) is a peppermint-flavored candy on a stick with a surprise—real, farm-raised (if that eases your stomach) ants floating in the translucent pop. And it’s not just for show. This particular insect, the specially bred Polyrachis Black Ants, has a spicy, peppery taste similar to chile peppers. They supposedly pack an energy boost too, but that just may be the adrenaline from eating some bugs.

Poisonous fish mints for good breath.

A Japanese specialty food made from parts of a deadly species of poisonous puffer fish, whose poisons are removed when properly cooked, fugu is a delicacy food adventurers have been feasting on for centuries (and yes, there have been human fatalities). Fortunately, these Fugu Mints ($2.50; mcphee.com) don’t contain any of the deadly toxins found in real puffer fish, but you can decide whether to share that information.

Incendiary chocolate truffles.

Ghost peppers, recognized by Guinness World Records as the hottest pepper in the world, make habaneros seem like child’s play. Fat Turkey’s Ghost Pepper Chocolate Truffles ($29; fatturkeychocolate.com) blend this incendiary ghost pepper and spiced rum into a dark chocolate ganache, garnished with chipotle seasoning. The company warns customers not to touch any sensitive areas of your body until washing your hands thoroughly.

Bacon-infused pickles.

Most people don’t need convincing to eat more bacon, but mixed with pickles is another divine match. Unbound Pickling’s Bacon Pickle ($8.99; unboundpickling.com) gives the classic dill a boost with natural hickory-smoke flavor and other spices to create a mouthwatering new taste.

Ice cream with exotic mixins.

Salt & Straw in Portland, Ore., is constantly rotating its flavors but you’re sure to find daring combinations like Oregon Black Truffle Ice Cream ($13/pint; saltandstraw.com). These exotic fungi are found in the Douglas Fir forests of the Pacific Northwest and give the ice cream subtle notes of umami. Also check out their Pear with Blue Cheese, Melon with Coppa and Brown Ale with Bacon.

Whipped cream with a snap.

Get a hit of heat in your whipped cream with Blosm’s Wasabi Whipped Cream ($3.99; myblosm.com). This all-natural, gluten-free topper is made from rBST-free cream for a clean base that lets the exotic flavors shine. Also try Blackberry Amaretto, Dark Chocolate Mocha, Cinnamon Praline and Peppi Peppermint.  

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