The national American cuisine has been formed relatively recently, and its main dishes are borrowed. The traditional cuisine of the USA is a peculiar mix of European, Indian, Mexican and national cuisines of other nations. Moreover, the national dishes of the USA vary from state to state, what will be to the taste of Alaskans will cause bewilderment in California. We have prepared for you a description of some of these dishes of the USA, so that you can understand what you can expect in the menu of different states.
Boiled Peanuts (Alabama). Boiled in salted water until softened, fresh ground nuts. A favorite roadside snack throughout the southern United States.
Reindeer Steak (Alaska). The dish evolved from Eskimo cuisine and is now served in some of Alaska's finest restaurants.
Fried Bread (Arizona). Round flatbreads of fried dough that are much loved in Arizona and eaten plain or with honey or shredded beef, beans and cheese.
Fruit Smoothie (California). This drink or dessert made from a mixture of yogurt and fruit can be found on any beach in California.
White Clam Pizza (Connecticut) This pizza can be found in New Haven and was invented in the 1920s by Italian bakers who moved here.
Scrapple (Delaware). Pork trimmings are mixed with cornmeal to form a homogeneous mass that is then sliced, fried and served for breakfast or used as a sandwich filling.
Lime pie (Florida). A combination of lime juice with condensed milk and meringues, it's a specialty of many South Florida restaurants.
Coca-Cola (Georgia). Atlanta is the birthplace of this beverage, which can be called the national drink of the United States. There is a Coca-Cola museum here where you can learn all about its creation and recipe.
The 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 extend beyond 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 barely more than in the rest of the state.
Fried Chicken (Kentucky). The traditional dish of well-seasoned chicken essentially spawned the world-famous KFC fast-food restaurant chain, which was founded here in Corbin.
Lobster (Maine). The lobster is considered one of the symbols of Maine, thanks to the state's extensive fishing industry. They are prepared very simply by boiling them and dipping them in hot oil.
Crab cakes (Maryland). The meat of the blue crabs found off the state's coast is prepared 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 percent of America's cherries, and cherry pies are great here.
Lutefisk (Minnesota). The aged, alkaline-soaked white fish is a symbolic dish for Minnesota, a state with a very rich Scandinavian heritage.
Fried catfish (Mississippi). Catfish are caught by Mississippians in the river of the same name and eaten fried or grilled.
Burnt ends (Missouri). These charred, very spicy slices of brisket, better known as barbecue in Kansas City, are especially loved and cooked with all kinds of meats in a variety of sauces.
"Oysters" Rocky Mountain (Montana). In this case, "oysters" is a euphemism. They're actually fried bull eggs, which were a favorite treat of cowboys back in the 19th century.
Runza (Nebraska). This dish is bread pockets filled with meat.
New-Hampshire (Cereal Ice Cream). A mix of ice cream and muesli is a favorite summertime treat of the state's residents.
Pizza (New York). A traditional state food that serves as both an appetizer and a separate meal.
Barbecue pork (North Carolina). In North Carolina, the word "barbecue" refers to juicy, slow-cooked pork. It's chopped or otherwise shredded, dipped in a spicy vinegar sauce ("Eastern-style") or a sweeter sauce laced with ketchup ("Western-style").
Cincinnati chili (Ohio). A gravy flavored with chocolate and cinnamon and served on spaghetti with beans, cheese and onions.
Steak (Oklahoma). Oklahoma is the premier cattle state, so the meat here is the freshest.
Cheese Steak (Pennsylvania). Consisting of a crusty bun filled with juicy, thinly sliced beef, fried onions, peppers and cheese, it's considered one of the state's favorites.
Coffee Milk (Rhode Island). Milk with coffee syrup is called the state's official beverage.
Shrimp and Porridge (South Carolina). Once just a humble fisherman's breakfast, this seafood cornmeal has become a staple of the state's best restaurants.
Kuchen (Pie) (South Dakota). A pie filled with fruit or custard.
Pork Ribs (Tennessee). Memphis is home to some of America's most delicious pork ribs. You can order them "wet" (with a sweet tomato-based sauce) or "dry" (rubbed with spices).
Maple Syrup (Vermont). Syrup, which is made from maple sap, is an ingredient in a myriad of dishes, from meat to ice cream.
Rural Ham (Virginia). The unbearably salty slices of pink-brown, firm country ham are an essential part of a complete Southern breakfast.
Buffalo jerky (Wyoming).Strips of jerky are a traditional Wyoming appetizer.
