A culinary tour of USA classic dishes – part 2
Following on from our gourmet tour of the USA, here is part 2 of our post on the national dishes you can enjoy in each region. Prepare to have your appetite whetted by meats, cereals and cakes as we work our way through the culinary classic dishes of North America state by state.
Missed part 1? Catch up! Click here
Kentucky
A state that lies in the south east, near the Ohio River, Kentucky is famous for the Kentucky Derby horse race and being an area of great geological importance. Visitors to the state, particularly ones who love hiking, will enjoy exploring the Appalachian Mountains, the Red River Gorge and the Daniel Boone National Forest. The stalactites in the Mammoth Cave National Park are also a must-see sight. Relaxing in the evening, bourbon is heartily encouraged, although you can enjoy it as part of a Mint Julip, if you dont fancy drinking it straight. If beer is more your thing, then beer cheese is the ideal sauce for your pretzels. The national dish of the state, however, has to be the Kentucky Hot Brown. This is a delicious turkey and bacon sandwich coated in melted cheese.
Louisiana
A melting pot of influences from France, Africa, and Canada, Louisiana is famous for New Orleans jazz, as well as Creole and Cajun cuisine. Gumbo; a meaty stew served with rice is a popular favourite here, as is Jambalaya, which is this southeastern states take on the Spanish paella. While youre here, make sure you check out the French colonial architecture, lakes and swamps. Its a great place for fishing and alligator-spotting!
Maine
Close to Canada with lakes and mountains, visitors to Maine love to ski the Sugarloaf in the winter months and go boating across Lake Sebago in the summer. Maine is known for its lobster. Want to try the best lobster in the world? You want to head to Maine. Steamed lobsters, lobster rolls and lobster pie. Its all available here, alongside clam bakes and corn chowder.
Maryland
With Baltimore as its largest city, the state of Maryland is another seafood capital. Enjoy steamed crab, crab cakes and crab chips, not to mention soft crab sandwiches. All best enjoyed as part of a fishing or hunting trip.
Massachusetts
Famed for its clams, the clam chowder here is delicious! Dessert-wise, youll also want to try a Boston Creme Pie and Grapenut Custard. This is New England territory, which turns glorious shades of gold, brown and red in the Fall. Its proud of its baseball team; the Red Sox and also for its heritage. This is the state where the pilgrims first landed.
Michigan
Four of the great US lakes can be found in the midwestern state of Michigan, which is also known for its historical contribution to the automobile industry. Petrol heads will love the Henry Ford Museum, while nature lovers will enjoy the trails along the National Lakeshore, including Sleeping Bear Dunes and Pictured Rocks. When it comes to food, the must-try meal is a Coney dog. Its similar to a hot dog, but coated in beef chilli sauce with added mustard and raw onions.
Minnesota
Home to the largest of the Great Lakes, Lake Superior, as well as 10,000 other lakes, Minnesota is on the Canadian border and is great for nature. You can enjoy a walk through Gooseberry Falls State Park or Voyagers National Park, stopping for a picnic and a snack of the state dish, Walleye Sandwiches. Walleye is the local fish. Meatballs and venison are also popular here.
Mississippi
This is a southern US state, where the homes of the wealthy have been turned into museums. It is perhaps most famously known as the home of the King, Elvis Presley. Blue crab, crawfish and fried chicken soul food are the order of the day here.
Missouri
A Midwest state known for being Mark Twain country, as well as the home of famous historical US president, Harry Truman. Its close to Kansas City and St Louis, as well as proudly introducing toasted ravioli to the world. Once tried, never forgotten.
Montana
Situated in the West, Montana has the Rocky Mountains, a glacier park and huge swathes of wilderness to enjoy. You can take trails that start here right into Yellowstone Park. The national dish of choice here is Rocky Mountain Oysters.
Nebraska
A midwestern state of prairies and plains, the main crop of Nebraska is the corn that feeds the cattle. It makes sense then, that steak is claimed as the state dish! Get ready to try mouth-watering steak that will change the way you view steak forever!
New Hampshire
With its pretty forests, theres no mistaking this is a state of New England and not surprising that the state dish is apples. While youre here, enjoying the exquisite apple pie, make sure you pay a visit to the Appalachian trails of the White Mountains, where youll see black bears and moose (who might also be on the hunt for apples!)
New Jersey
Just a stones throw away from New York, New Jersey is an east coast state famed for its coastline and for being home to its Ivy League university, Princeton. Pork roll should be on every menu here. This is the ideal snack to take down on the beach with you.
New Mexico
Located in the southwest, the colonial Spanish influences of cities like Santa Fe are obvious. This state encompasses the Chihuahuan desert and it straddles the Rio Grande. Chilli peppers dominate the cuisine here. Want chilli con carne? New Mexico is the place to try it.
New York
It might be known as the Big Apple, but before you leave this metropolis of skyscrapers and iconic buildings, it will be the memory of the humble New York bagel you ate that will stay with you forever. With their delicious deli fillings, you wont be disappointed. Theres nothing quite like an enjoying a bagel in the middle of Central Park on a summers day, or in a cafe around midtown, as you move between attractions.
North Carolina
Situated in the southeast, North Carolina is known for the finest pulled pork youll try in the USA and given that its proving such a popular dish here, the British are loving its authentic taste.
North Dakota
North Dakota is in the Midwest and one of the settings for the film Fargo. Think plains and mountains, as well as influences from its Scandinavian heritage. Knoepfla soup is the state dish here. Its a thick soup that consists of chicken and potatoes in an almost stew-like consistency. Delicious!
Ohio
Another midwestern state with mountain trails, huge lakes and the city of Cleveland to explore, Ohio boasts the originally Eastern European dish of pierogis as its food of choice. These dumplings can have a sweet or savoury filling.
Oklahoma
You might know about it from its musical namesake, but Oklahoma is proud of its pioneer town history. This truly is the land of the cowboys and what do cowboys eat? Well, if theyre from Oklahoma, its more than likely to be a fried chicken steak!
Oregon
With its artistic heritage, Oregon is hipsterville. Situated in the Pacific Northwest and home to pavement cafes a plenty, this is where you can enjoy the famed local beer and impressively artisan snacks.
Pennsylvania
Ever heard of the infamous philly cheese steak? You will have by the time youve left Pennsylvanias main city, Philadelphia. Theyre delicious too. This is where youll find the iconic Liberty Bell and discover the place where the Declaration of Independence was signed.
Rhode Island
On the east coast, near Connecticut, Rhode Island is full of seaside towns with a colonial character. Its all about the seafood here. Clams and lobsters will be the catch of the day!
South Carolina
With an historical significance regarding civil war and the plantations, South Carolina has had quite the impact on the USAs legacy, not to mention the cuisine of this huge, diverse country. Combining its influences of French, African and southern USA cultures, the national dish here is shrimp and grits.
South Dakota
When you think of South Dakota, you tend to associate it with its most famous sight, Mount Rushmore; the heads of four former US presidents carved out of the rock. This is also farming country and corn is a staple of everyones diet in this state. Cooked and served in a variety of ways, youll love the diversity of the corn recipes on offer here.
Tennessee
Boasting both Memphis and Nashville, this is the state you want to explore if youre interested the old American music towns. Ribs is the dish of choice here and youll never have had them so good.
Texas
This is a large southern state which offers a two pronged attack on American culture; via its NASA space shuttle connections in Houston and its vibrant music scene in Austin. Bordering Mexico, the recognised state flavours are those of Tex Mex cuisine; a fusion of American and Mexican food.
Utah
Famous for Salt Lake City, a great skiing vibe and Mormonism, Utah is in the west and home to a lot of impressive national parks. As pioneer country, a lot of the traditional cooking was done in Dutch ovens. Honey, funeral potatoes and fry sauce; a mixture of tomato sauce and mayonnaise, are all Utah foods.
Vermont
Bordered with Canada, in the far north east and home to hundreds of 19th century wooden bridges, Vermont is a state in New England. Its little surprise that maple syrup is so popular here.
Virginia
This is a must-visit state for civil war fans. There are plenty of historical sites here. Ham is the state food, which might sound a bit pedestrian, but there are so many great ways it can be served.
Washington
Not to be confused with Washington DC on the east side of the USA, Washington State is in the west and is home to the famous music scene city Seattle. When youre in Washington state, you simply have to order the salmon!
West Virginia
As an exciting, spicy state, sandwiched between Ohio and Virginia in the east, it is perhaps fitting that West Virginias State food is a pepperoni roll!
Wisconsin
You can see two of the Great Lakes here; Michigan and Superior, as well as plenty of forests! This is a great state to enjoy a holiday. Its big city is Milwaukee; home of the Harley Davidson. As there are so many dairy farms here, fried cheese curds is considered a local dish everyone should try.
Wyoming
Wyoming is a landlocked state in the west, known for its most famous landmark, Yellowstone Park. You can spend whole days exploring this national park without seeing the same sight twice. Elk is considered a national state meat here.
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