What are some really nice cromchy foods across Tamriel?
I know Argonians have bugs, but do they have crunchies that aren't bugs for people with a phobia of the things?
Who doesn't love a crunchy treat? From Bergama to Senchal, everyone loves sinking their teeth into something that bites back!
The Altmer surprisingly aren't huge on crunchy foods, but do enjoy an exceptional type of hazelnut biscuit with a creamy hazelnut praline centre. Bite-size and not too sweet, these biscuits make the perfect afternoon treat alongside a cup of coffee.
Aside from bugs, Argonians also love deep fried...everything! One of the rules to live by in the swamp is 'waste not, want not', and almost anything can be made palatable when dunked in hot oil. Chicken and fish innards are commonly seasoned with salt and herbs, then fried until crispy in big batches. While it sounds unappealing, it's a great way to use up edible parts and makes a great snack too!
If you hear a crack in the forests of Valenwood, it could be a hoarvor on your trail...or just a Bosmer crunching down on some crispy barbecued pig tails. Sold individually at roadside stands and taverns alike, these crisp, fried, meaty pig tails are basted in a moreish blood and honey-based barbecue sauce. Absolutely delectable.
Coastal Bretons of High Rock are big fans of fried squid, whitebait and shrimp, encased in a thick layer of crispy batter. Juicy and fresh on the inside, they're seasoned with a good amount of seasalt, pepper, lemon, and malt vinegar. For a Senchal twist, I like serving my fried seafood with a spicy sambal mayo with a bit of lime!
The most popular Dunmeri snack known to all across Tamriel is the humble ash yam chip. Thinly sliced ash yams are seasoned (usually savoury but sometimes sweet) and either deep fried or baked, sometimes with a batter coating. You'll find them sold fresh in small paper boxes, perfect for snacking on the go.
Fried dough balls are a Cyrodiilic staple, and range in hardness from crisp but fluffy to rock-hard (everyone has a preference, I won't judge). These simple morsels are usually served hot in a big bowl, because stopping at a couple isn't an option. One taste of that seasoned dough (sometimes stuffed with cheese, to tempt you further) and your life will be changed.
Crunchy moon sugar croquant, made from caramelised moon sugar and ground almonds or roasted macadamias, are a heavenly sweet treat that's delicious on its own as a candy, or sprinkled in fresh coconut ice cream or chilled chocolate pudding. If you're eating croquant as is, be warned: it's hard to stop at one piece!
We Nords also love whitebait like the Bretons, but our crunchy snacks also extend to fruit! Freeze-dried snowberries are preserved using a special technique championed by the College of Winterhold, and are now a major export of the Hold due to their popularity. In addition to preserving the snowberries, the flavour is also relatively true to fresh berries and the texture is airy and packs a nice crispness!
There's no Stronghold snack quite like good old spicy pork rinds, fresh from the fryer. The rinds are marinated in a blend of herbs like frost mirriam and thyme, ample salt, and a dash of ale before being fried until crisp. Terrible for the health, but sure to make the carnivorous among you drool nonetheless.
The hot, arid air of the Alik'r is conducive to making one of my favourite snacks in all of Tamriel: air-dried goat cheese curds. These babies are moreish, and operate on the same sort of preservation principle as Nord freeze-dried snowberries- only in Hammerfell, it's extremely hot. The goat cheese curds are generally salted and taste like chevre, but with a pleasant crunch that makes it more akin to popcorn in texture than cheese curds. Great on their own, but also with apples, honey, or figs.
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