Though variations exist throughout the state, the most common denominators seem to be a steamed dog, steamed bun, meaty sauce, yellow mustard and maybe a sprinkle of onions. She loves to experiment in the kitchen and writes about her hits (and misses) on her blog, A Southern Grace. Known for growing both sweet and sour cherries, the Beehive State has sensibly dubbed the cherry its official state fruit. Did you know that Boston cream pie is actually a cake? Since Texas enshrined chili as its official state food in 1977, 33 states have named official dishes, snacks and beverages. Blueberries provide a wide range of uses from pie to jam. We’re talking salty ham here; it’s not for the faint of heart. Trying local or regional foods is a big part of traveling. This is where the food gets weird. Georgians produce tens of thousands of tons each year; imagine all the crumbles you could make with that many peaches! The Tar Heel State grows a large portion of America’s sweet potatoes and proudly claims the crop as the state vegetable. Is Boston cream pie—the Bay State’s official dessert—a cake or a pie (or both)? Whose job is it to come up with ~official~ state foods? Morel mushrooms abound in parts of the North Star State, and they were adopted as the official state mushroom in 1984. The Mountain State has chosen a specific apple as its state fruit—the Golden Delicious. The first state foods appeared in the mid 1960s. Walla Walla sweet onions are the official vegetable of the Evergreen State. Here’s a round-up of some of the most renowned and well-known foods from every state that are sure to start the Hunger Games. Chokecherries are common in the Peace Garden State, but not in many other states. Boston Cream Pie. Key limes are smaller and seedier than the kind commonly seen in stores, so while it takes some extra effort to juice them, you’ll be glad you did. Official fruits (berries, grapes, fruits) listed by state. One of the stars of the sea, crab is a sweet choice to add to a casserole, pasta dish or bisque. Not many states have an official cookie, but the Constitution State has called dibs on the delicious snickerdoodle. The Hoosier State is proud of its sugar cream pie! 736 pages. But the Mountain State is the bona fide birthplace of one beloved food item that has become much more familiar, in and out of the state, than these other homegrown delicacies — the pepperoni roll. Along with the lights and casinos, buffets are something Las Vegas is known for, with more than 200 in and around Las Vegas alone. Made from eggs and fresh lime juice this light dessert is perfect for any Summer evening. So Delaware has named peach pie its official dessert. While it hasn’t been declared an official state food, lamb should definitely be in the running. All four Food Plans are based on 2001-02 data and updated to current dollars by using the Consumer Price Index for specific food items. The Garden State is the blueberry capital of our country, so it should come as no surprise that New Jersey has claimed it as the official state fruit. Blueberry Muffin. For specific foods and quantities of foods in the Food Plans, see Thrifty Food Plan, 2006 (2007) and The Low-Cost, Moderate-Cost, and Liberal Food Plans, 2007 (2007). Not coincidentally, it’s also the official state crustacean. The best of the best catch from here can be smoked, cured, dehydrated or even turned into candy! Where else would you find seafood and sauce served in a glass? Sandy, acidic soil along the coast is ideal for growing the beautiful berries. It makes sense since the cone is said to have originated in St. Louis at the World’s Fair way back in 1904. A tall glass of milk with coffee syrup, the outcome is similar to chocolate milk, so popular that it's the official state drink of Rhode Island. While some foods like chocolate chip cookies, Lay’s potato chips and string cheese can be found all across the country, snack foods are surprisingly regional, even down to a state and local level. Alabama. Serve it with some flaky French bread for dipping! —Patti Holland Parker Colorado While Indiana does not have an official state food, Senate resolution No. All Food Symbols. PBS is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Favorite State Foods 52 Photos. The Green Mountain State is serious about apple pie, its state dessert. Here are a few of the official state foods. A slice of Floridian key lime pie is a citrusy, tart treat. The Golden State unconventionally declared four different nuts as its official state food, but almonds are the obvious choice. While Nebraskans haven’t done so yet, they should—many believe it to be the world’s most important crop! Nearly 100 years old, coffee milk is so iconic here that it became the official state drink in 1993. They offer a huge variety of flavors including Bacon & Onion, Salsa, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, and so much more. Official state snack food". Made with a variety of vegetables, chicken, seafood, or Andouille sausage, gumbo is a quintessential hearty soup. When it comes to state pride, we’d all fight to the death to defend our state’s signature foods. They have a short season and require careful harvesting, but their sweet flavor makes the effort worthwhile. This sweet, delicate variety originated there and is ideal for applesauce. It’s delicious to eat and also plays a role in traditional medicine. Although Nevada doesn’t have an official state food, it’s known for its ethnic diversity and accessibility to a whole lot of different foods. A state could do worse than have a plate of barbecued ribs as its official food! These deep-fried pastry pillows have become synonymous with New Orleans. Is there any greater combination of foods than chocolate chip cookies and milk? West Virginia’s state food may be simple, but its story sure isn’t. Although Kansas hasn’t proclaimed an official food, barbecue is commonly associated with the Sunflower State. This beautiful berry is ideal for cobblers and jams. As Maine is one of the largest producers of blueberries in the U.S., it’s no wonder you are in for an enjoyable delight any time you visit. Find out what the states have to offer from coast to coast. Because it’s also known as the Cornhusker State, corn would be a logical choice as Nebraska’s state vegetable. It’s not an official state food yet, but perhaps it should be. Love them or hate them, collard greens are the official vegetable of the Palmetto State. Some of the official picks might surprise you! The Oxford Companion to American Food and Drink, edited by Andrew F. Smith. This delectable dessert, created in 1856 at the Parker House Hotel in Boston is usually filled with custard or cream and frosted with chocolate. So you can expect a wide variety of culinary tastes, trends and traditions. Taste of Home is America's #1 cooking magazine. It actually hasn’t been named an official state food, but kringle has! Added to a pie or used to encrust fish or top a salad, these nuts are nutritious and enjoyable year round. Most of America’s pears come from Oregon, so it’s the chosen state fruit. These 10 Iconic Foods In New Jersey Will Have Your Mouth Watering. The Last Frontier harvests a good deal of the seafood in the United States, and salmon is an important contribution. The Bluegrass State named the blackberry its official fruit in 2004. Honeycrisp™ Apple. Because I want that job. All rights reserved. Coffee milk is almost exactly what it sounds like, except minus the coffee. This official state pie is made with ingredients people almost always have on hand, which also explains its nickname—”desperation pie.”. The Volunteer State’s fruit is the tomato, a crop it’s cultivated to much acclaim for many years. Massachusetts. For now, it remains the state’s fave unofficial state food. Among the varieties that thrive there: Early Girl, Sun Gold, Roma and Brandywine. This cinnamon-sugar-coated treat would combine nicely with the state’s official dessert, ice cream. There are even rules about how to eat it! Between the Pennsylvania Dutch traditions, Philadelphia innovation and our state-wide love of junk food… Maine even has a festival dedicated to the tasty cookie sandwiches. Not all states have an official doughnut, but it’s no surprise that the Pelican State has claimed beignets. Whether you prefer russet, red, fingerling or gold, potatoes are an American staple that the Gem State has rightly claimed as its official food. Who needs a reason when s’mores are involved? Pennsylvania cuisine: foods that the Keystone State is known for. Go figure. Retrieved 2007-07-15. Much of the rice production in America is attributed to the Natural State, so it’s an excellent choice as its official grain. The question is, are beans allowed or are they strictly forbidden? Though the Peach State lists grits and Vidalia onions as alternative official foods, Georgia will most likely always be associated with the juicy fruit that inspired its nickname. Does gumbo or key lime pie make you think of someplace specific? Chocolate Chip Cookie. Floridians also know the value of a little vitamin C. Oranges are the official state fruit and orange juice the official state beverage. Part of the American allure is that cuisines change as one travels throughout different regions. Here's a peek at some of the quirkier ones out there. The Old Dominion State is happy to be known for its cured country ham—the perfect addition to a breakfast plate full of eggs, biscuits and gravy, and grits. The Sooner State didn’t stop at a single official food—it chose an entire meal! By Joanna Sciarrino. Learn how food programs can provide emergency help during the coronavirus pandemic. Official State Meal of Oklahoma. Get information about government food programs including SNAP, D-SNAP, WIC, supplemental food for seniors, and free or reduced-price school lunch and breakfast. Whether you fry it, bake it, or turn it into pudding, rice is a household staple. The official dessert of Mount Rushmore State hails from Germany, though it has found a welcome home in America. Tomatoes go gangbusters in Ohio—so much so that they’re the Buckeye State’s official fruit. The pie must be served with a glass of milk, a slice of cheddar cheese and/or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. Minnesota. Massachusetts. CJ Foods, Inc. is the U.S. food operations headquarters for CJ Cheiljedang. The official state picnic food of South Carolina, which should come as no surprise given that people travel far and wide for a taste of South Carolina style barbecue. Other food symbols include the blueberry muffin as the official state muffin, morel mushrooms as the official state mushroom, and milk as the official state drink. Festivals and conventions celebrating the tuber are held every year. Making Orange County a safe, healthy, and fulfilling place to live, work, and play, today and for generations to come, by providing outstanding, cost-effective regional public services. Boston Cream Donut. Welcome to the official website of State Foods Supermarket! Preparedness tips and updates on severe weather events. Knowing that, here come the cabinets. The Official Foods of (Nearly) Every State That's right—many states have official state snacks. The Great Lakes State doesn’t have an official state food, but one popular suggestion is the Coney dog. Certain states can easily be distinguished by a type of food they produce or by a dish they’ve created. Since trying local foods is such an essential part of a travel experience, I like to highlight the “must try” foods from cities or regions where we travel. New York City was dubbed The Big Apple for good reason. Crunchy pecans complement many different types of cuisine. Eaten fresh, added to a taco, or mashed up into a zesty guacamole, avocados are rich in nutrients and simply delicious. Alabama: Cheese Grits ... As the official state dessert of South Dakota, Kuchen deservingly shines like no other. And no, the state beverage is not bourbon. Our partner in public broadcasting: Pecan Crusted Sweet Potato with Sour Cream, Lime Squares with Pistachio-Graham Cracker Crust, Baked Potato Chips with Sour Cream and Onion Dip. It’s milk. Juicy peaches are a staple of Summertime fare. The Ocean State is the home of coffee milk, a delicious blend of coffee extract or coffee syrup and milk—like chocolate milk for adults, and the state beverage. New Mexico was one of the first to proclaim both chilis and refried beans as their state vegetables in 1965. Each state celebrates what they have to offer with an official food. So North Dakota alone has designated it as the official state fruit. I think of her every time I stir up these pumpkin-spiced nuts. Minnesota. Fried okra, black-eyed peas and pecan pie are just a sampling of everything on the plate. Hawaii is one of the few places in America where coconut palms grow. The Magnolia State has only one official food, and it happens to be a sweet one that melts in your mouth: butter cookies! Every state has at least one food or cuisine it’s well known for, whether that’s lobster rolls in Maine or Florida’s juicy oranges. While The Land of Enchantment does have an official state cookie (the bizcochito), but is better known for its chili peppers, which have a unique sweet, spicy, crisp and smoky taste. Inexplicably but delightfully, the Hawkeye State has chosen s’mores as its official snack. The Keystone State has smartly designated both as official state foods. What better place to start than Rhode Island foods — from the quirky and unique, the street food and the home-cooked. Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1St Edition edition (May 1, 2007) Offering a panoramic view of the history and culture of food and drink in America with fascinating entries on everything from the smell of asparagus to the history of White Castle, and the origin of Bloody Marys to jambalaya, The Oxford Companion to American Food and Drink provides a concise, authoritative, and exuberant look at this mo… As the largest producer in the United States, California knows a thing or two about avocados. Pepperoni rolls are elegantly simple, but uniquely West Virginian: country roll dough filled with sticks or slices of pepperoni.The treat has deep roots in the coal industry (much like our state itself.) Since its opening in 1978, CJ Foods has quickly become a major manufacturer and distributor of Asian food products with a focus on Korean food. The official fruit of The Granite State is the pumpkin, an item many don’t even realize is a fruit. Oklahoma designated an official state meal In 1988 (Oklahoma also recognizes an official state fruit and state vegetable). Their cheese can also be found at various stores throughout the state. There are certain foods that just scream Jersey, whether they got they got their start here, or were perfected in the state. Big Boy, Better Boy and Celebrity varieties are especially popular choices. It was promoted to official state snack food in 2001 and to this day, Salt Lake City accounts for the nation's highest per-capita Jell-O consumption. Who cares?! The Honeycrisp apple is its official state food, and northern wild rice is the official state crop. Maine has lobster rolls, Maryland has clam cakes, Iowa has the pork tenderloin… Every state has an iconic food or two – New Jersey has 10. We’ve also included some recipes and variations for you to try at home. As the oldest cheese factory in the state, Dimock Dairy is the best place to buy cheese in South Dakota. The state produces 80 percent of the world’s crops! Apples abound in the Empire State—growers produce more than a billion pounds per year. 5 – passed in 2009 – logged sugar cream pie as the state’s official pie, following hot on the heels of naming water its official beverage. Maryland is known for its blue crabs that are fantastic freshly caught or as part of a crab cake. Their nutritional benefits are comparable to that of kale, as they’re a good source of vitamins K, A and C. Maybe they’ll be the next food craze. Wild turkeys are abundant in the Yellowhammer State and have been the state game bird since 1980. If we can’t pick one food for Nevada, why not pick all of them? Idaho – State Food: Potato Whether mashed, fried or baked, potatoes are a comfort food that will never go out of style. The Silver State doesn’t have an official state food, but shrimp cocktail, which originated in Las Vegas in 1959, should be a contender. The honeycomb appearance makes it a breeze to identify, but not so easy to find. Copyright © 1995 - 2021 Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). Peaches are an important part of the First State’s agricultural heritage. (List by state or year) State Name Designated as Year; Alabama: Blackberry (Rubus occidentalis)Official fruit: 2004 Whether mashed, fried or baked, potatoes are a comfort food that will never go out of style. The former was proclaimed the official state food in 1977. CTPrepares: Emergency Management News and Resources. You might associate the Pine Tree State with blueberries and maple syrup, but it’s gone rogue and designated whoopie pies as the state treat. If you were to go on a cross-country trip, tasting each state's most iconic dish, what would you find? Idaho is the top potato producer in the U.S. Did you know that the Prairie State is a top grower of popcorn? This fish tastes delicious baked, barbecued or fried. It’s the perfect fruit for jelly, as the bitter, sour flavor balances out with the addition of sugar. State and local health departments and healthcare partners remain vigilant to keep Connecticut informed, prepared, and safe from novel coronavirus. Some of the top varieties are Crispin, Empire, Idared and Rome. We all associate the Sunshine State with oranges, but its official dessert—Key lime pie—is even more delicious. The walleye is also the official state fish. Many folks head to the Cowboy State to fish for trout. Whether made with meat or taken in a vegetarian direction, chili is great served with corn bread or as a side dish at a barbeque. West Virginians enjoy and celebrate some native foods that many Americans don’t even know exist, much less eat — pawpaws and ramps come to mind. Do you think of cheese when Wisconsin is mentioned? One Christmas my good friend gave me this recipe and a sack of ingredients. While they are most traditionally used in sweet desserts like pie or cobbler, they can also be a nice accompaniment to salsa or sauces. They can weigh more than 20 pounds, and though they’ll taste quite different from their farm-raised counterparts, they roast up beautifully. People have actually petitioned to have the chimichanga (essentially a deep-fried burrito) named as the Grand Canyon State’s official food, but to no avail…so far. Nothing screams Lone Star State quite like chili con carne (except maybe Frito pie!). Join us on a culinary tour of the United States, sampling a bit of local flavor in each of the 50 states. One city has been celebrating the drupe with a festival and parade for more than 80 years. It’s delish. May 8, 2014. Archived from the original on 2007-06-30. The Beaver State grows everything from Bartlett to Bosc. Its rich history and robust Cajun flavor gives Louisiana gumbo a mind of its own. It’s an important part of Illinois’ agricultural production—making it a natural choice as the official snack food. Huckleberries might be a good option for the Treasure State’s fruit, but nothing has been made official. Kuchen, the German word for cake, is a sweet treat that comes in variations to please almost any palate. One can’t help but think of crab as the Old Line State’s most obvious official state food… and it is. Grace is a full-time mom with a Master's degree in Food Science. While there are many variations to this dish, there’s no denying that chili is one hearty meal. Ohio, the “Heart of It All,” as its slogan proclaims, is the seventh-most-populous state in the nation. Many of the lambs raised in America come from the Centennial State. This filled, glazed Nordic pastry is very popular in the Badger State. Florida’s orange juice … See our weekly ad, browse delicious recipes, or check out our many programs. Oklahoma's official meal is an extensive menu that reflects the state's historic and present-day agriculture and the cultural backgrounds of Oklahoma residents. While it’s common to think of SPAM as the Aloha State’s key food, its only official item is the coconut muffin! Whether you prefer a classic version or one that’s a little more unique, it’s hard to go wrong with a peach pie. Idaho is especially well known for its multi-use potatoes, as it produces one of the largest crops annually. They are located at 400 S Main St, Dimock, SD 57331. Not too long ago, the Show-Me State appointed the humble ice cream cone as its state dessert. 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