Spaw, my friend... durian is an exotic fruit that looks like a large version of the business end of a mace (medieval weapon- not spice). It is terribly intriguing looking if you like odd fruits and it is offered in many metropolitan areas in those uber-big supermarkets. It is also in many Asian markets as it is a *ack* delicacy in Indonesia and Thailand. They say that some people actually *gag* worship the rancid thing. It has the odour of rotting flesh.

We got it for my Mom for a birthday present (she's a food adventurer) and weren't deterred by the smell on account of the whole "limburger-cheese" theory. We SHOULD have paid attention to the smell. For starters, we needed a hatchet to open the dad-blamed thing. Then the smell about bowled us all over. Then we actually INGESTED the horrid stuff. Then my baby sister gagged, and my Mom and I RAN for the bathroom to brush our teeth. The rest of our party was wise enough to avoid it after smelling it. My husband said I smelled like the durian for 3 days. My Mom, sister and I burped the stuff for at least a week post-eating it. My little sister gets a pained expression whenever someone mentions durians.

Rick- you wanna supplant your hatred of onions? Try a durian.

Beccy