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Saturday, October 22, 2022

Two weeks ago, I asked you what unique food was famous in your corner of the world. And, well, I've been hungry ever since! It's been so fun reading about these delicious dishes, but it's been even better reading how enthusiastic and proud people are of their communities' culinary contributions. Get ready, because your recipe box is about to get some new additions. 

If there's something you'd like to see here, drop us a line. Know someone who could use a little Good Stuff? Send them a copy! We hope you love it as much as we do.

Your regional favorites

Colorado: 

"Pueblo, Colorado brags about its Slopper.  This is a ground beef patty smothered with green chili and fries." -- Linda P. (also suggested by Edith B.) 

Florida

"In Smyrna Beach, Florida, we like broiled or fried fish with ritz cracker crumbs." -- Karen M.

Georgia

"I was born and raised in Georgia. I will never forget the fresh peach ice cream we bought in the student store on the beautiful campus of Berry Schools and College."Carolyn S.

Image credit: AJ Willingham

Hawaii

"I live in Kauai. Kalua pork is definitely a favorite. It is shredded and smoked, and can be easily and deliciously prepared without the traditional pit in your backyard!" -- Joan M.

"Loco Moco. A mound of white rice topped with a hamburger patty, fried egg and brown gravy." -- Wyoming I. 

Idaho

"Lewiston, Idaho is famous for its bite-sized steak. Several restaurants serve it, and many claim to be the creator.  It is sirloin steak cut into cubes, lightly breaded (in a mystery breading) and then deep fat fried just to medium or medium rare. They are delicious." – Peggy F.

Illinois

"A Chicago staple: Italian beef sandwich!" -- Shelby M.

Indiana

"Indiana tenderloins! Grilled, fried....they are a fantastic Hoosier tradition. YUM!" -- Kerry K.

"Sugar Cream Pie!" -- Ann J.

Kansas

"Wichita, Kansas has NuWAY, the best crumbled hamburger on the planet." -- Cliff R.

Louisiana

"You haven’t lived til you come down to the bayou & feast your eyes (and stomach) on a real Louisiana crawfish boil.  We go a little different in N. LA.  The corn-on-the-cob and potatoes are a must. But have you ever eaten artichokes boiled with the crawfish?  Some onions and hot peppers go into the mix, too. Don’t forget the hush puppies to eat on the side! And to cool you off: lemonade pie." -- Diane M

Image credit: CNN

Maryland

"In Baltimore, we’re famous for our Maryland steamed crabs, of course, and snowballs (not the same as shaved ice in Hawaii)." -- Gerri B 

Michigan

In Detroit, we have deep dish Sicilian-style pizza and Coney Island hot dogs with chili, onions and mustard. Also lots of great Middle Eastern food, like chicken shawarmas, due to Dearborn's huge Middle Eastern population." -- Donna K. 

"Definitely pasties - a staple of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. So delicious and easy to make,  actually. The only debate is whether your condiment is ketchup or gravy." -- Wendy J.

Minnesota

"From Minneapolis, it’s the Juicy Lucy burger. It’s fantastic!" -- Denny H. 

Missouri 

"You have to have the original-style Springfield cashew chicken when you come to Springfield, Missouri. It is fried pieces of white meat chicken in a delicious sauce topped with cashews and served with rice.  It has been a Springfield “staple” since the 1960’s." — Kelly B. and Tammy

"From Kansas City,  the best BBQ in the world is burnt ends! These are cubed up, caramelized pieces of smoked meat from the point of the brisket. You have to try them at least once in your life, and yes you will want them again!" -- Dana M. (Also suggested by Jean L.)

Nebraska

"Nebraska is famous for runza sandwiches, Dorothy Lynch salad dressing, and Kool-Aid. Also, school cafeterias serve chili with cinnamon rolls, so families do too. No one else has ever heard of that combination." -- Marijane E.

New Mexico

"A favorite in Albuquerque is green chili cheeseburgers.  When we go out for New Mexican food, I like following up our meal with sopapillas. They're a bit like a pastry, only they're deep fried.  Some folks like them with honey, I like mine plain, or maybe dipped in red chili sauce." -- Carol J.

New York

"Johnny’s Lunch hot dogs! A little diner in Jamestown, NY has been serving Texas Hots since the 1930s. Every time I go home, I make the pilgrimage to Johnny’s for a couple of hot dogs with their famous sauce and a thick milkshake. Delicious!" -- Kara

"I grew up in Northern New York, in the small town of Peru in the beautiful Adirondacks. The food famous for that area is the Michigan hot dog.  There are numerous takeout and drive in restaurants and even those of a much higher scale,  that all fight for the honor of serving the best 'Michigan.'" -- Jane A.

"The Finger Lakes region of New York boasts of the 'World’s Best Grape Pie.'  Made with locally-grown Concord grapes and topped with a crumb or regular pie crust topping, it is a confection not to be missed. Come to Naples, NY and try a piece at the Naples Grape Festival held three days on the last weekend in September." -- Carolyn F.

Image credit: Adobe Stock

Ohio

"Cincinnati chili - so worth looking into.  A little different and very good." -- Maureen M.

Oklahoma

"For dessert in Oklahoma we love pecan pie — and it is not pronounced pee-can!" --

Mark H. 

Pennsylvania

"Philly cheesesteaks. Yum!" -- Judy B 

"Shoofly pie from Lancaster. It’s an Amish thing, and people say it gets its name from setting pies to cool on a windowsill and shooing the flies away." -- Sheryl M. 

Rhode Island

"Rhode Island is known for its clam chowder and clam cakes, as well as coffee milk." --Judy L.

"Rhode Island is known for johnny cakes (white corn meal pancakes), white creamy clam chowda and Del's frozen lemonade!" -- Patricia D.

South Carolina

"In Hilton Head, we like shrimp and grits, and banana pudding!" -- Terri R.

South Dakota

"In March, in the small towns of  Witten and Wood, South Dakota, the volunteer fire departments hold pie auction fundraisers. More than pie is auctioned off, but pie is the highlight. I've seen sour cream raisin pie go for $400." -- Mary H.

Tennessee 

In East Tennessee, every local restaurant serves fried okra, as do the public school cafeterias." -- Sue E.

Texas

"Texas Sheet Cake!  A wonderful, moist chocolate cake." -- Kathryn B. 

West Virginia

"West Virginia is famous for its pepperoni rolls. Think Italian bread surrounding a stick of pepperoni. You can add in pepper jack cheese for an extra kick. Italian coal miners put these in their lunch pails as an inexpensive but filling lunch. Try them once, you'll be hooked for life!" -- Amy S .

Your favorites from around the world

Image credit: Heather Pendragon

Canada

"In our little corner of the world here in Atlantic Maritime Canada, Prince Edward Island, is, of course, famous for its fresh sea food, particularly our lobster. But an unusual and only local weird mainstay is something called 'Fries with the Works!' Somewhat similar (and yet oh so different) to Poutine, this oddity is crisp PEI potatoes (yet another legendary Island 

Gastronomic Goldmine) fried to perfection and then slathered in a concoction of rich dark gravy, Island ground beef, and ... wait for it… canned PEAS!"

-- Heather P.

"Delectable Canadian food would be: savory sausage rolls, shepherds pie, roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, poutine (fries, brown gravy, cheese curds, plus various additional toppings one can add) and Nanaimo bars." -- Michele M.

France

I’m originally from France and France has different recipes for every region, and within the region, for every town. My town is called Sarlat La Caneda, and its dish is called magret de canard avec patates sarladaises. It’s duck breast with potatoes pan-roasted in duck grease, with a special mushroom called cèpe ( a very expensive and, depending on the year, very hard-to-find mushroom). Then add garlic, salt and pepper and parsley. It’s delicious, and if you have room after that, the duck liver pâté and a walnut salad. You can get our walnut cake, which is extremely thin with a layer of chocolate on top. Bon appétit!" -- Pascale C. 

India

"I am from South India. Here, we love South Indian sambar, vetthakulambu (onion, garlic or any kind) and yogurt rice. All these must be made a seasoned South Indian cook -- not from a restaurant!" -- Raji B. 

Portugal

"From Portugal, just two of the best: cod fish (bacalhau) à Braz as a main course, and sweet rice (arroz doce) for dessert." -- Graça S

"Portuguese clams or mussels: Shellfish simmered with chourico (sausage) or linguica (tongue), onions and peppers. Delish with crusty bread as an appetizer, or over rice as an entree." -- Denise G.

Thank you to everyone who sent in their wonderful food recommendations! Our Good Stuff family has very good taste. 

Submissions may have been edited for length and clarity. 

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