# Gross Earwax-Inspired Appetizers The Dirty Pesto Q-Tips Dish is Perfect For Any Gruesome Occasion By Meghan Young | Published 2013-11-04 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dirty-pesto-qtips References: [neatorama](http://www.neatorama.com/2013/11/01/Q-Tips-and-Earwax-Appetizer/) & [thefoodinmybeard](http://www.thefoodinmybeard.com/2013/10/dirty-pesto-q-tips-video.html) Halloween has come and gone, but that doesn't mean the [Dirty Pesto](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dirty-martini-sundae) Q-tips appetizer can't make an appearance at another house party any time in the near future. More [gross than gruesome](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/boogie-bites-candy), it could easily be served at any number of themed get-togethers, from little boy's birthdays to April Fool's Day celebrations and more. Conceived by Dan Whalen of The Food in My Beard, the Dirty Pesto Q-tips is essentially a pesto sauce and mozzarella cheese hors d'oeuvres. Placed in a clever ear-shaped, flesh-covered platter, the pesto sauce certainly looks like a wad of earwax while the balls of mozzarella cheese is placed on lollipop sticks for the illusion of the common Q-tip. Interesting fact, Whalen made the ear-shaped dish himself, so anyone could take a stab at that as well. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.0/10 - Popularity: 10% | Activity: 41% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Gross Food Trend:** Opportunity for creative and shocking food presentations for themed events and social media posts. - **Illusion Food Trend:** Opportunity for creating foods that look like everyday objects for novelty factor. - **DIY Dishware Trend:** Opportunity for creating and customizing unique serving dishes to enhance food presentation. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Catering Industry:** Opportunity for catering companies to offer unique and daring food presentations for themed events. - **Social Media Industry:** Opportunity for social media influencers to create eye-catching and viral content with shock factor foods. - **Home DIY Industry:** Opportunity for home cooks and craft enthusiasts to create their own niche serving dishes for personal use or small-scale business. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Edible Insect Lollipops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pest-infested-pops.md) - [Grotesque Halloween Pizzas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/halloween-pizza-campaign.md) - [Squeezable Truffle Spreads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/trufflemania.md) - [Creative Dipping Tableware](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dip-sea.md) - [Humorously Enormous Cotton Swabs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/qugetips.md) - [Sombrero-Shaped Appetizers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/texmex-sombreros.md) - [Edible Butter Candles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/edible-candle.md) - [Fried Cream Cheese Appetizers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fried-cream-cheese-wonton.md) - [Encapsulated Pesto Pearls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pesto-pearls.md)