The national American cuisine is relatively new, and its main dishes are borrowed. Traditional American cuisine is a peculiar mix of European, Indian, Mexican and other national cuisines. In addition, the national dishes of the United States vary from state to state, and what will please the people of Alaska, will cause confusion in California. We’ve prepared a description of some of these U.S. dishes for you, so you can get a sense of what’s on the menu in different states.
Boiled peanuts (Alabama). Fresh ground peanuts boiled in salted water until they soften. A favorite roadside snack throughout the southern United States.
Deer Steak (Alaska). The dish came from Eskimo cuisine and is now served in some of Alaska’s finest restaurants.
Fried Bread (Arizona). Round fried dough tortillas that Arizona loves and eats plain or with honey, or with shredded beef, beans, and cheese.
Fruit Smoothie (California). This is either a drink or a dessert made from a mixture of yogurt and fruit can be found on any beach in California.
White Clam Pizza (Connecticut). You can try this pizza in New Haven, and it was invented in the 1920s by Italian bakers who moved here.
Scrapple (Delaware). Pork scraps are mixed with cornmeal to form a homogeneous mass, which is then sliced, fried and served for breakfast or used as a topping for sandwiches.
Lime Pie (Florida). The combination of lime juice with condensed milk and meringues is a specialty of many South Florida restaurants.
Coca-Cola (Georgia). Atlanta is the birthplace of the drink, which can be called the national drink of the United States. There is a Coca-Cola museum where you can learn all about its creation and recipe.
Chicago-style hot dog (Illinois). Chicagoans believe the hot dog was invented during the 1893 World’s Fair held in their city. To this day, Chicago still makes one of the best variations of the hot dog.
Pork tenderloin sandwich (Indiana). A deep-fried piece of pork tenderloin on a bun, with the edges of the meat making sure to stick out over the edges of the bun.
Chopped Meat Sandwich (Iowa). This chopped beef sandwich is made without sauce or any additives. Just meat and bread.
Popcorn (Kansas). In Kansas, air corn is not only produced, but consumed almost more than in the rest of the state.
Fried Chicken (Kentucky). The traditional dish of well-fried chicken, in fact, spawned the world-famous fast-food restaurant chain KFC, which was founded right here in the town of Corbin.
Lobster (Maine). Lobster is considered one of the symbols of Maine, thanks to the developed fishing industry. They are cooked very simply – boiled and dipped in hot oil.
Crab cakes (Maryland). The meat of the blue crabs found off the state’s coast is cooked in a variety of ways. But the most popular with locals and tourists alike is crab cakes.
Clam Chowder (Massachusetts). The creamy chowder is very hearty and thick thanks to the addition of potatoes and oysters along with shells and bits of local clam.
Cherry Pie (Michigan). Michigan produces 70% of America’s cherries, and cherry pies are great here.
Lutefisk (Minnesota). Seasoned, alkaline-soaked white fish is a symbolic dish for Minnesota, a state with a very rich Scandinavian heritage.