What are some odd food items to include in this basket?

My husband and I love cooking and trying new foods. To help us with this we’ve decided to trade off playing this game we’re calling “Tin Chef”—because neither of us is very tough as a chef and there’s not a tight time limit.

Here’s how you play. One person puts together a basket of 9 odd food items and gives it to the other person on Friday night. By Saturday night the cook for that round has to use at least 5 of the items in a single meal. The cook has time for research and visiting a store for companion items.

We’re both eating this meal, so we both have an interest in it being good. We also want the items to be somewhat new to us or at least unusual together. Items can’t spoil over night and I have to be able to walk into a store and buy them at this time of year in Seattle.

What should I include in Friday night’s basket?