Tag: States

Hush puppies, the corn fritters of the southern United States – Italian Cuisine

Corn pancakes with the unusual name hush puppies (silence, puppies!), Are a traditional dish of soul food, the cuisine of the African American community typical of the southern United States

The hush puppies are a famous traditional dish of the so-called "kitchen of the soul" (soul food), or the cuisine of the Afro-American community of southern United States. The recipe consists of soft round-shaped corn fritters prepared with corn flour and a few other ingredients and generally served as an accompaniment to fish dishes (above all fried catfish) or seafood or the classic fried chicken. Like other dishes of the soul culinary tradition, these corn fritters have distant origins, and are a poor and simple dish to prepare and at the same time rich in taste and history.

Recipe and characteristics of hush puppies

The main ingredient of these pancakes is corn flour, an ingredient historically used in many traditional dishes of the so-called poor kitchen, just think of our local polenta or Mexican tortillas. It is no coincidence that this poor and versatile ingredient is used in many popular soul food recipes. As the Corn bread which is widespread in the southern United States and which is generally prepared with a batter containing corn flour, wheat flour, eggs, milk and animal fat. The ingredients used for the traditional basic recipe of hush puppies instead are corn flour, wheat flour, milk or buttermilk, eggs, salt, a pinch of baking soda and onion, but spices or other seasonings can also be added, including garlic, chopped fresh onion, peppers, black pepper, chili or corn kernels. To prepare the pancakes, simply mix the liquid ingredients (eggs and milk) and add them to the previously mixed dry ones; once the creamy batter is ready, simply shape it with a spoon to make small balls the size of a golf ball and then proceed with frying in hot oil or preheated fat. The result must be golden, fragrant and pleasantly crunchy.

The story of small "dog silences" pancakes

The unusual name of this dish, which can be translated as "silence, puppies!" it is closely linked to the story that is told about its origin. In fact, it would seem that the birth of corn fritters dates back to period of the Civil War. It is said that at the time the Confederate soldiers ate large quantities of it, as it was easy and quick to prepare during the camps, and that they threw it at the dogs to keep them at bay and stop them barking, particularly during attacks by the side. of enemy troops. There are also similar versions of the story whose protagonists, instead of soldiers, are hunters, fishermen or slaves on the run. Whatever the origin of the name and the dish, what we know is that nowadays there are several local and regional variants (including those that involve baking or different shapes and ingredients) and that there are several countries in the south of the United States that claim its origin.

Photo: Hush_puppies_frittelle_Commons Wikipedia.jpg
Photo: Hush_puppies_cornmeal pancakes_Flickr_Dan.jpg

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Strange but true, these foods are illegal in the United States – Italian Cuisine

Strange but true, these ten foods are considered illegal in the United States: from Kinder eggs to foie gras to Sardinian cheese casu marzu

In the United States the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has the responsibility to ensure that the food that is purchased in restaurants and supermarkets is not harmful to consumer health. Over the years the association has therefore drawn up one list of harmful foods and therefore banned in the United States, of which both the sale and the import from abroad are considered illegal. Let's go then to discover, among American foods and other foreign specialties, ten of the foods that are not allowed in the United States, including our Sardinian cheese casu marzu.

1. Kinder Surprise Eggs

Surprisingly, it is appropriate to say, the list also includes Ovetti Kinder, one of the most popular chocolate sweets for Italian children. In fact, according to US law, edible food is the cause risk of suffocation, it cannot contain inedible products, as in this case the famous plastic egg containing the surprise. The only exception, starting in 2017, was made for the summer version of the Kinder snack, a product that presents chocolate and surprise carefully separated and also designed by Ferrero to enter the US market.

2. Casu Marzu

A little less surprising is the presence of casu marzu, the so-called Sardinian "cheese with worms", whose production and sale is currently prohibited in Italy. This cheese with the larvae, with its decidedly characteristic and slightly spicy flavor, is sometimes sold under the table in Italy, but it cannot be found in the United States

3. Sassofrass oil

This shrubby plant, typical of North America, has been known since the time of the Native Americans since its bark, once used to treat diseases such as fever and rheumatism, produces an essential oil used for soaps and for flavoring drinks. Otherwise, sassafras oil contains chemicals, including safrole, which are considered harmful and carcinogenic, and this is why the product has been banned since the 1960s.

4. Ackee fruit

Ackee is a fruit of African origin is especially loved in Jamaica, where not only is it considered the national fruit but it is also the basis of one of the most popular traditional recipes. Well, this oddly shaped fruit that resembles that of a brain more actually is extremely dangerous. If consumed unripe, in fact, it releases a toxin that can cause forms of rather serious poisoning, with symptoms such as vomiting and dehydration, and in some cases even lead to coma or death. The import of this fruit was banned by the FDA in 1973, but it is still possible to buy carefully controlled canned or frozen fruit.

5. Absinthe

This alcoholic beverage has been completely banned in the United States, while since 2007 the government has allowed its importation only as long as it does not contain the famous hallucinogenic psychoactive principle.

6. Haggis

Scottish food lovers living or traveling in the United States will certainly be disappointed to discover that haggis, one of the typical dishes in Scotland, is prohibited in the American territory. This recipe consists of a soup containing bits of various internal organs of sheep combined with oat flakes, chopped onion, lard, broth, various spices and salt, all boiled inside the animal's stomach, and although the ingredients may making a little impression, in the mother country is considered a delicacy. But making it a dish banished in America is the presence of sheep lung, considered an inedible and dangerous organ because of the possible chronic degenerative pathologies of which the animal can be affected.

7. Puffer fish

This fish, also known as "fugu"Is forbidden in almost all the US territory, as well as in many countries of the world, because if handled in the wrong way during the preparation the extremely poisonous toxin (tetrodotoxin) contained in the skin and in some organs can leak out and contaminate the dish, making it in fact so toxic that it can cause death. In Japan, fugu is a specialty, and is prepared above all in the form of sashimi.

8. Foie gras

Another traditional foreign dish, in this case a French delicacy, is forbidden in almost all the United States, or the famous goose or duck liver pate. The reason in this case is the unethical treatment of geese during preparation; these are in fact immobilized and forcedly fed through tubes, so as to make their liver size swell.

9. Unpasteurized milk

Unpasteurized raw milk it is notoriously a potentially dangerous food, since it is not subject to the process of removal of toxic microbes. Despite the microbiological risk, raw milk is sold in several countries including Italy, where it can also be purchased from vending machines, but is prohibited in the United States.

10. Bushmeat

To amaze much less, within the list of foods banned by the FDA, is the meat of animals hunted and slaughtered in Africa, including gorillas, antelopes and elephants. Importation is prohibited not only because it can lead to life-threatening diseases but because it encourages illegal trade.

10 giant foods that you find only in the United States – Italian Cuisine

Traveling to the United States to discover ten incredible gigantic foods that you can only find here, in the homeland of "supersized food"

On the quality and variety of foods that you can find in the United States you could talk for a long time, with different opinions and points of view, but on one thing we can all agree: Americans are obsessed with gigantic foods. This craze, unfortunately, often goes hand in hand with an unregulated diet where excess sugar, fat and calories can have dramatic health consequences, including obesity, diabetes or heart disease. Leaving aside the risks that huge food can have, a responsibility that the consumer should always keep in mind, it must be said that this fashion is realizing the forbidden dreams of many gluttons and still represents an interesting phenomenon widespread globally. In the United States these gigantic foods are proposed by food trucks or small and large restaurants to attract customers and to ensure that they engage in real culinary challenges with selfie shots; but also by high-level chefs always looking for ways to amaze their customers. Let's take a short tour through the United States to discover some of these incredible creations.

1. A Guinness Book of World Records

The news of this pizzeria has really gone around the world. Big Mama and Papa at Big Mama's and Papa's, a chain with headquarters in Southern California, has in fact created giant pizza-based recipes, including the "Giant Sicilian" almost a meter and a half long, which has entered the Guinness Book of Records. This pizza should be ordered at least 24 hours in advance and has a base price of $ 300. Remarkable also their Giant Gondola, a huge version of the famous Georgian dish khachapuri, prepared with over 50 eggs and a pound of green peppers and bacon!

2) The famous "hot dog pink" of Los Angeles

The local PINK'S HOT DOGS in Los Angeles (California) is a true legend in the United States, so much to be the destination of actors and celebrities, to whom among other things some sandwiches pay tribute. To make this restaurant famous also the size of hot dogs, including the greedy and spicy "El Cucuy Dog" with jalapeno, 30 cm long.

3) The biggest pretzels in the world

The Mader restaurant in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is known for its German cuisine and for being the oldest restaurant in town, open since 1902. To make this a place of pilgrimage, however, it is mainly its huge pretzels, as big as a pizza, to be accompanied by a nice one-liter beer mug.

4) An epic hamburger

THE'OOmg burgers of the Chicago SafeHouse more than a sandwich is really a challenge. With well 15 burger and a monstrous amount of dripping melted cheese, this is one of America's biggest burgers and costs only $ 50.
What's more, the OOmg is served with two kilos of cheese curd and a liter and a half of beer.

5) The family-size omelette

The Beth's Cafe in Seattle, a delicious diner open 24 hours a day and specialized in breakfasts and quick but genuine dishes, has its strong point substantial omelettes, available from 6 and 12 eggs, which promise to feed even the most voracious customers! No coincidence that the restaurant appeared in an episode of the well-known TV program Man vs Food.

6) Breakfast of the champions

Always for lovers of abundant breakfasts, another unmissable destination in the United States is the Fine & Rare of New York. The specialty of the house is indeed a truly unique breakfast, weighing a kilo and a half, which consists of a giant ostrich egg, coming from a farm in New Jersey, with peppers, onions, sausage, bacon and bread … an unforgettable breakfast!

7) Half a meter of pancakes

We move to Florida where Shelby's kitchen and Deli serves several colossal foods including a brunch whose dish consists of a big half-meter pancake, covered with two kilos of bacon, eggs, toast and fries.

8) A sushi donut weighing 7 kg

From the western kitchen we now pass to the oriental one. At WAVE Asian Bistro & Sushi in Mount Dora, in Florid, they make some really original donuts made entirely of sushi, weighing as much as 7 kilos and over 7 thousand calories and designed for about 10 people. This dish, prepared with rice for sushi, spicy crab, tuna and cucumber, requires almost three hours of processing time

9) 36 donuts in one

From a salty donut we pass to a sweet one of a kind. In fact, you can find DK's Donuts and Bakery in Santa Monica, California a donut so big as to be the equivalent of 36 classic donuts. Customers can not only choose the size, but also customize their order, choosing for example the type of frosting and decoration.

10) The ice cream of dreams

All of us have dreamed of eating a pyramid of ice cream as children, but also as adults. Disney is well aware that in its Florida amusement park, and particularly in the Disney's Beach Club Resort, it has included in the menu a ice cream cup served in a bowl so big it was called so big it was called Kitchen Sink dessert, the sweet of the kitchen sink. Inside there is practically everything: ice cream with chocolate, mint, coffee, chocolate; but also chocolate biscuits, peanut butter, marshmallows, fresh fruit and nuts, a real blaze of flavors!

Photo: giant donut_by reallyboring_Flikr.jpg