What about anchovy paste? I hear even people who like the occasional anchovy think anchovy paste is disgusting.
That's the interesting thing I'm finding about a lot of flavors that, taken at face value, are initially disgusting -- but can become the surprise secret ingredient in other things.
I can't stand most things with too fishy of a taste. Sometimes even tuna from a can is too fishy for me. So I stay far, far away from things like canned sardines or mackerel, etc.
Funny thing, I don't like cooking much and don't seem to have any talent for it, but I sometimes watch cooking shows -- mostly for the tips on cutting, chopping, food prep, etc. I was watching Nick Stellino on PBS years ago and he made something he called "Pasta With Spicy Cauliflower Sauce." And the kicker ingredient is anchovy paste.
I don't exactly like cauliflower. I certainly don't like anchovies. I don't really like anything too spicy. But for some reason, that dish looked so good by the time he got done that I just had to go out and find all the ingredients (I'd never even heard of anchovy paste before,) and try it.
And It. Was. Spectacular. I guess I figured I was willing to give it a try if it made a not-so-liked veggie somewhat more palatable. I even added a little extra anchovy paste for a little extra zing. (It's also made with fresh garlic and Romano cheese -- be sure to wash the dishes right away or your entire house is going to smell like a fishery gone bad.) But the actual dish is amazing, and out of the dozens of people I served it to over the years, only one didn't like it (mostly because it doesn't have any meat.)
I'll still have it in constant rotation but it's a bit labor intensive (to a non-cook, at least,) expensive to make, and I'm supposed to cut down on carbs (boo!!!) I've tried making it with JUST the cauliflower and of course, it's just not the same.
I've also tried making it with broccoli (Nick himself suggested this,) but it was a no bueno -- the broccoli, in my opinion, was just too bitter for the rest of the flavors.