Wings

Here is a public service announcement for any travellers to the United States: don't forget to try the wings.

Finally, someone found out what you're supposed to do with chicken nibbles.  First deep fry them, then smother them in delicious, spicy sauce, then consume with blue cheese dressing, celery and gusto.  They call them Buffalo wings, I call them a gastronomic delight.

They are very widespread here as a starter, though I'm told that there are also places that specialise, offering dozens of variations.  I stick with the mild sauce as a rule, sweet and spicy (exactly how spicy depends on who was holding the cayenne pepper, I think).

It is possible that someone has already attempted to bring these to New Zealand.  I've never encountered them there, but if they exist they must be a poor attempt because if the real thing was available I'm sure they would sweep the nation like a sweet and spicy wildfire.

They are called Buffalo wings (mostly people just call them "hot wings" or "wings", though) because they were invented in Buffalo, New York.  The story I heard was that a traveller arrived late to a hotel one night, wanted food, and this was what was cobbled together.  Wikipedia tells me this is only one of several creation myths and even then I haven't got it quite right.

However it happened and whoever was responsible, I'm just thankful that they exist.