food in us course

1. Name three foods from each of the following areas that you think help define each region or are very characteristic (at least try...).
New England – Clam chowder, terrible Mexican food, lobster

MidAtlantic – Cheese cake, Philly cheese steak, Buffalo wings, perogies
South – grits, fried chicken, peach pie, sweet tea
Midwest – chicken fried steak, potatoes, corn
West – loaded baked potatoes, corned beef hash
Great Plains – barbequed meat, corn, white bread
Southwest – In & Out burgers, Hatch green chiles, chimichangas, great Mexican food
California and the Northwest – Seattle coffee, avocados, San Fran Sourdough bread, plain tea
Alaska – Salmon, elk, blubber
Hawaii – loco moco, roast pig, Chantilly cake

2. Which region do you think has the most distinctive foods and food culture? Why? I think the South has the most distinctive foods. It is a varied cuisine but tends to be on the heavy side with many traditional dishes but, from what I have experienced, not many contemporary dishes. The dishes include lots of fresh southern fruits, especially peaches and lemons, lots of gravies, pie, and sugary sweet tea. 

Which region was the most difficult for you to answer in question 1 and why? The most difficult one for me was the West region which is comprised of…. Nevada? Idaho? I haven’t lived in the west unless you count the coast. I really guessed on these ones primarily by what I know grows out there, like potatoes! And I don’t really know where corned beef hash is often eaten but it seems like it would be in that area.

Which region was the easiest for you to answer in question 1 and why? I grew up in California and I could go on about the wonderful cuisine all up and down the west coast. From the freshest produce and juiciest oranges, to sourdough French toast, and the great mix of cultures all along the coast which add up to a delicious blend! Many days, I would start out with an egg scramble of fresh tomatoes, mushrooms, cheddar, and avocado on top, lunch would be vegetable sushi, and dinner was a Greek salad with falafel and a side of spanakopita. 

3. What is the role of festivals, fairs and social events (like community events or large family gatherings) in your life? What do they mean to you and how do you participate? I absolutely love local festivals. We had two a year within walking distance from my house when I was younger. My sister would always take me and we would see how many times we could ride the rollercoasters before puking. When we got the chance, she and I would watch these festivals set up and tear down. I think they usually lasted about three days. One was the Strawberry Festival. It featured fresh baskets of delicious, ripe, juicy strawberries. We would bring some home, even though we had our own strawberry plant, slice them up, and sprinkle a little sugar on them. The other one was the Watermelon Festival. The workers would just hand out whole or half watermelons. My sister and I went to these every year when we were old enough to go by ourselves. It was a way for her and I to spend time together, socialize with the community, and proudly appreciate the produce of Southern California. 
                 I have also experienced a Leek Festival, also called Stink Fest, in eastern Pennsylvania and the Cranberry Festival on the southern Oregon coast.

4. How can a compiled cookbook be an autobiography? Have you ever seen one or know someone who has one? Why do you think people create and/or collect these cookbooks? For someone who travels, a chronological cook book would express where that person has been and where they came from. For example, my cookbook would start out with what my family cooks: traditional Irish fare with some mid-west thrown in. Then I would add favorites from the South, from the Amish, and from the desert Southwest which I have lived in. From there, add in some Northwest cuisine, middle East cuisine, and Chantilly cake from Hawaii. That documents where I have been and what I have chosen to eat which also reflects my morals. 
                I didn’t know that cookbooks like these existed and have never seen one. I can surely see the allure of them though. Not only is it an interesting history book but also a useful one.