"football food" news and stories

The NFL kicks off its regular season in just a couple weeks, and for millions of fantasy football fans again this year, what happens online will be just as important as what happens on the gridiron. A number of restaurant chains are getting in on the act, with deals and prizes aimed at transforming football fantasy into reality.

Here is a round-up of some, as reported by Nation's Restaurant News:

Papa John's:
Winners of Papa John's "Ultimate 'Fantasy to Reality' Experience" will score a trip to the 2011 NFL Draft in New York, while another group of winners will receive free pizzas on Sept. 9 (NFL kick-off day) delivered by Minnesota Vikings all-pro receiver Chris Carter. To enter, log on to Papa John's Facebook page and explain why your fantasy football league is better than all the rest.

Get more deals after the jump...

• Though community-supported agriculture shares in Rhode Island were once as coveted as Red Sox season tickets, as increasing numbers of farms participate, CSA shares are just as desirable, if less coveted.
• The Providence Journal provides a football-friendly list of spirited food and drink to enjoy with the games.
• "Breathtaking" new Japanese steakhouse Ichigo Ichie presents food "presented with the same dramatic flair as the décor."
• The recipes of 93-year-old Clara Cannucciari have survived the Great Depression and stood the test of time, and "Clara's Cookbook" provides cheap, nourishing fare to today's hungry penny-pinchers.

Fall is the time for football. And with football comes food like buffalo wings, sausages, pizza, and potato chips. And while most guys (and gals - yes, I know you're football fans too) go for cold beer with their football viewing, don't forget that you can also drink wine with these foods too.

The Boston Phoenix asked the owners and beverage managers of several Boston restaurants for their picks for the best wine to serve with football food. If you're serving spicy wings, Josh Childs at the Silvertone Bar & Grill suggests a California zinfandel from or a syrah from the Rhone region of France (or, for a contrast, a German riesling). For nachos, a sparkling white.

Bill Earle at Bouchee' says that if you're serving chili, he'd suggest a California zinfandel, for the rich fruit and the spice to go with the hotness in the chili. And for hearty sausages? Kate Smith at Butcher Shop suggests a pinot gris or a gewuztraminer or a riesling.

But wait: pizza is missing from this list! I'd say pizza is eaten more while watching football than sausages or wings. Suggestions, readers?