"regional foods" news and stories

One of the greatest things about eating in America is the wealth of regional specialties. Seems like every city has something brag about, from gumbo in New Orleans to cheese curds in Green Bay. Some have spread across the country (who hasn't sampled a version of a Philly cheesesteak?) but others have stayed under the radar. AOL Travel has two lists of regional foods you might not know about, from Rhode Island's creamy Coffee Milk to Buffalo, New York's savory Beef on Weck -- and all of them are worth a road trip.

Want to see if your local delicacy made the cut? Check out both lists on AOL Travel.

The good folks at Chattanooga Bakery have seen fit to re-release their previously discontinued peanut butter permutation of the traditional choco-coated cookie, and not a darned second too soon. I'm here to tell ya, this li'l fella is some seriously good -- if nigh on violently sugary -- eating. With a crunchy, fudgy cookie as the foundation, a hearty slathering of extra-sweet peanut butter in lieu of the standard marshmallow and a silky chocolate coating, the confection bears an astonishing texture and flavor resemblance to the perennial Girl Scout vended fave, Tagalongs®, a.k.a. Peanut Butter Patties®. Served frozen, per a suggestion on the box, it's simply a revelation.

The upside is that unlike the GSA confection, Moon Pies can be acquired year-round. The downer for those trapped north of the Mason-Dixon is that they're not especially easy to come across in stores. $17.99, plus $8.95 (give or take) shipping will net you 48 pies, but I'd daresay it's worth the investment at least once. Tell ya what -- if you don't like 'em, next time I see you, I'll spring for your R.C.

Buy Moon Pies online.

Just a few days ago, I noted my love for highly specific food traditions, tied to holidays and celebrations -- hoppin' john on New Year's Day, king cake on Mardi Gras, mint juleps on Derby Day. So, it seemed foolhardy not to avail myself of a Moravian Love Feast bun when I had the chance, seeing as how I was in North Carolina, and my in-laws have been attending the Christmas Eve Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church's Love Feast since back when Rudolph was a fawn. I'm not, by habit, a churchgoing gal, but was assured that all (even long-lapsed Catholic school girls like me) are welcome to share in the ritual.

What the heck is a Love Feast, you ask? Well, according to North Carolina and Old Salem Cookery (1955):

No church service is more distinctive than a Moravian love feast. Love feasts are held in connection with holidays such as Christmas, New Year's, Easter and on days of special significance to the church such as church anniversaries and a day set aside to honor missionaries.

During the love feast, each person in the church receives a large, flat yeast bun and a mug of coffee containing cream and sugar.

The love feast is symbolic of the fellowship of the church. The idea behind the simple meal is that those who break bread together are united in the fellowship the way a family is.

While there are regional variations in the components of the feast -- some congregations subbing in warm cider or hot Russian tea for the coffee, or embossing an "M" on the bun tops, rather than the Moravian star seen in the image above -- the recipe invariably calls for the inclusion of mashed potatoes. As a choir or orchestra performs, the buns are passed in baskets throughout the congregation, followed by cups of the hot beverage. After these have been collected, beeswax candles -- decorated with red paper frills to catch dripping -- are distributed to the assembled, lit from wick to wick, and carried in procession out of the church.

Two bun recipes after the jump.

Wass the deal with hot dogs in Maine? Wasses Hot Dogs that is. While I like hot dogs all year round, summer time is when I enjoy them most and lately I am having my annual summer hot dog fling. Around this time every year I go on a hot dog binge. I may drive many miles for my fix. I think that this year my mileage is even greater than ever. Just the other day I did an over 100 mile round trip so I could visit all three Wasses locations.

Wasses Hot Dogs have been an icon in Mid-Coastal Maine for over 35 years. With three outposts in Rockland, Thomaston, and Belfast; they have sold millions so far and there is no end in sight. I have been familiar with the Rockland and Thomaston locations because I lived near them the past year. I would stop by in Rockland to have one for a snack and to keep my energy up as I toured the countryside researching articles and consulting. It was only the other day that I finally made it to the Belfast location. Well, the places may be different, but the dogs are the same, great. I love the snap of the natural casing franks, grilled in peanut oil and sauteed onions until browned, and served up in a soft, steamed roll. Condiments abound: sauteed onions, regular or spicy mustard, regular or spicy relish, local Morse's sauerkraut, chili, cheese, and bacon. (There's also ketchup for your dogs, but I believe that that's kid stuff.)

One of the things I like about Wasses is the balance of condiments to the hot dog. there is just the right amount so that the condiments add to the taste and experience, but don't overwhelm it. I have several favorites. When I want a meal in one dog, I get spicy mustard, bacon, cheese, and chili (above, right.) If a light snack is called for then I order one with spicy mustard and sauteed onions (above, left.) If I need some spice it's time for spicy mustard and spicy relish (above, center), and if I need something tangy I go for the Morse's sauerkraut.