Food Reviews
KENNETT SQUARE, PENNSYLVANIA
Mushrooms- Known as the "Mushroom Capital of the World", Kennett Square grows 51% of the nations mushroom crop. Most people are familiar with the common button mushroom, but there are numerous varieties that have unique flavors and shapes such as Baby Bella, Shiitake, Portabella, Oyster and Maitake. The Mushroom Cap, located in downtown Kennett Square, is a great place to visit to learn more about mushrooms and purchase some to take home. Kennett even has an annual mushroom festival in September. But the question begs to be asked - why Kennett Square? There is a good historic review in an article by Samuel Flammini on the Evolution of the Mushroom Industry in Kennett Square. Did you know that mushrooms are grown in the dark because they don't need light (no chlorophyll), not because they can't take light. Eliminating light saves on utilities and other costs. If you are in the Brandywine Valley area, be sure to try some great mushroom soup whether pureed or creamy with large pieces of mushrooms!
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Dates- The Coachella Valley in Southern California is home to the Tree of Life. A naturally sweet fruit, the date is high in fiber and potassium. Originating in the Middle East and Africa, date palms prefer the desert climate. There are hundreds of ways to use dates in cooking along with eating them fresh or dried in cereals. My favorite is a date milkshake! Another favorite is date/nut bread. Here are a few sites if you would like to order fresh dates right from the valley: Brown Date Garden, Cal Sungold, Desert Valley Date, Jewel Date, and Oasis Date Gardens.
PENNSYLVANIA
Scrapple-A breakfast meat common in the tri-state area, scrapple is the first pork food invented in America. Although the actual contents might make some people uneasy (pork internal organs and scraps mixed with cornmeal, flour and seasonings), it actually tastes very good. Scrapple comes in a loaf that is sliced and fried, but be careful not to overcook or it becomes hard as a rock on the outside. I know scrapple as a Pennsylvania Dutch invention, but Delaware claims to be the scrapple capital of the U.S. Is there a grits capital too? If you would like to order some fresh scrapple from the Lancaster County area (original home to scrapple) try Stoltzfus Meats or Kunzler and Company.
SAN DIEGO
Fish Tacos- A "lump of fried or grilled fish, shredded cabbage, salsa fresca and white sauce in a corn tortilla, with a wedge of lime perched on top", fish tacos are an excellent change of pace from hamburgers and hot dogs. Originating with beachstand vendors in Baja, California, the quality of a fish taco varies just like the quality of a great hamburger - freshness, cooking, added condiments. The purists use white fish dipped in beer batter and deep fried, but there are healthier grilled versions also. Perhaps the king of fish tacos, Rubios has been credited with bringing the fish taco to San Diego. Fish tacos are gaining popularity across the U.S. and I can now get them at one of my favorite restaurant (The Four Dogs Tavern) here in Pennsylvania. But if you find yourself in San Diego, be sure to stop by Rubios and order the original.
WASHINGTON STATE
Apples- The Cascade Mountain's rich lava-ash soil and abundant sunshine creates a perfect environment for growing the country's most delicious apples. There are many types of apples including Red and Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Braeburn, Jonagold, Fuji and Gala. Perfect apples should be shiny without any bruising. A shiny skin indicates crispness and no one likes a mushy apple. The Washington Apple Commission sets the highest standards for apple growers in the U.S. to ensure the best product. To order fresh apples direct from Washington, visit Apples Online and Fruit from Washington, If you are in the area, see Washington Apple Country to arrange an orchard tour.
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