Go Native With GO TEXAN

by Jose Ralat Maldonado, Posted Sep 29th 2009 @ 1:00PM

GO TEXAN. Photo: Jessica S. Ralat.

Texas is first and foremost about all things Texas. GO TEXAN, a program from the Texas Department of Agriculture, organizes homegrown food events, including the Restaurant Round-Up and Chocolate Festival of Texas & Texas Wine. The organization also sponsors the GO TEXAN sampling event in the Food and Fiber Pavilion at the State Fair of Texas. Attendees can munch on Lone Star State freebies among rustic booths and kiosks decorated with Texan tchotchke.

While they are difficult to find, the samples include pecans -- the official health nut of Texas -- and delicious honeys. Check out the infomercial-ready presentations of cookware for a laugh or a purchase. At the Borden booth, this blogger greeted Elsie the Cow, who soothed his chili-ignited mouth with some milk.

After noshing, amble next door to wash it all down at the Wine Garden, where Texas vintners like Llano Estacado and Red Road Vineyard and Winery are offering tastings.

And the kicker? It's all free! Skip the overpriced Midway rides and con-artist carny games. Those hailing from afar will be able to nibble on local delicacies and learn that not everything in the land of football and oil fields is fried. Eat Texan!

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Texas State Fair 2009

Fried butter at the State Fair of Texas held in Dallas during the month of September, 2009.

Jose Ralat Maldonado

Getty Images North America