What countries influence your daily cuisines?

breoni

breoni

GingerScraps Site Creative Team
After viewing an adorable layout by Jill featuring Vegemite, that got me thinking. What foods are common to your part of the world, but are relatively unknown elsewhere? What countries influence the foods that are easily accessible in your area?

For where I live (Kansas, USA), we have a lot of influences from Mexico and Eastern European countries. This area was first settled by those from Russia, Poland, etc., and now we are seeing lots of new growth in the Mexican communities. So it's not uncommon to find kielbasa shops and taquerias next to each other.

I think what we are probably best known for would be barbecue, specifically "burnt ends." What is your area known for?
 
Our country grew up on the "back of the lamb" so roast lamb is probably considered to be our national dish and our food was heavily infuenced by the British as they colonised the country. Meat and three veg was the staple for many years but as people from other countries started to come into the country, our cuisine has become much broader. As a child, I had never heard of spaghetti bolognese or pizza, our meals back then consisted of meat, mostly sourced from our own farm, such as pork, chicken, beef, mashed potatoes and pumpkin and peas or beans. Interesting topic Breoni, thank you for linking my LO.
 
Pierogies are a staple here in Central Canada. Fun fact - the late actor John Candy used to be a regular in the north end of our city to enjoy "Alycia's famous pierogies. We used to have them every Friday growing up now it is a treat when we have them, my favorite is cottage cheese pierogies. Who else loves them?
 
We eat perogies boiled, baked or fried with onions. We buy them frozen.
In New York (USA), pizza and bagels are loved by everyone and wished for by those that move away and want them again. White Castle, burger place is popular and not found in too many states away from here.

Never ate Vegetimite. There is a song that mentions Vegetime sandwiches though. LOL!
 
We do have a store that sells perogies, but if given the option, I will order a bierocks. In Nebraska, there's a fast-food chain that sells bierocks, but they call them Runzas. Didn't realize that wasn't a nationally-known food until I left that state. LOL!

Lily Ann... I know that song!!! :)
 
My region is most known for Buffalo wings/sauce, white hots (white hot dogs opposed to the normal red), grape pies, and wine.

As far as which countries/regions most influence our own meals, it's mostly Mexico, India, and the Middle East. I could live on hummus and falafel and I love making a big pot of curry. We do a lot of Asian inspired meals as well.

This thread makes me want pierogies, though. :tongue:
 
Route66 said:
Pierogies are a staple here in Central Canada. Fun fact - the late actor John Candy used to be a regular in the north end of our city to enjoy "Alycia's famous pierogies. We used to have them every Friday growing up now it is a treat when we have them, my favorite is cottage cheese pierogies. Who else loves them?
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My best friend growing up was from Poland and her mom made the best Pierogies! God they were so good.
 
I was born and raised in England, so good old English fare :) I just baked Cornish Pasties from my cousin's recipes (she has a blog, Kitchen Sanctuary if you like to cook and want to hunt down the best recipes ever!) We have Shepherd's pie, Lancashire Hot Pot, Fish and Chips, and dozens of other traditional dishes.
 
Jenn, I’ve never heard of white hots before. Do they taste similar to a regular hot dog?
 
breoni said:
Jenn, I’ve never heard of white hots before. Do they taste similar to a regular hot dog?
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White hots contain veal in addition to beef and pork and they're uncured which is what keeps them white, not red like a regular hot dog. They do taste different and contain a different spice blend (mustard, paprika, etc.) than a regular hot dog. They taste best grilled and I eat mine with only mustard and relish, but I've seen them served with chopped white onions and a spicy meat sauce in addition to the mustard and relish. They're like a cross between an uncured hot dog and a German Weisswurst in taste.

When I didn't live locally, I'd bring home packages of them on ice since they're not available in most of the country. They were always a hit at BBQs.

This website has a little bit of history behind them.

https://zweigles.com/this-is-everything-you-need-to-know-about-white-hots/
 
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Jenn, thank you so much for the education and for the link! :)

It’s amazing how much this group teaches! Thanks for sharing! :)
 
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