Are You Southern? These Foods May Challenge You

I recently came across an article on MSN that challenged my ‘southerness’ according to my palette. Now to be true to myself, I am pretty much steak and potatoes guy. They listed 17 foods that they said would be familiar to a true southerner. I lived in Virginia, North Carolina, Texas, and Louisiana. I have been known to have e healthy appetite, too much so. So, maybe I should know these dishes.

Do you consider yourself a southerner? Where do you find yourself when you consider these southern food choices …

1 – Chitlins/Chitterlings … slow-cooked small intestines of a pig. Well, I have seen them, sat next to those who have eaten them, but pretty much refuse. Why? This is not about my choices here, just the smorgasbord of specialties.

2 – Livermush … a loaf made from pig liver, pork head parts and cornmeal. Crispy outside, mushy inside. I can honestly sympathize they try to use every part of their livestock. Shelby NC has a Mush, Music and Mutts Festival every October. Think of this like a strange burger.

3 – Potlikker … the gooey liquid left in the pot after cooking collards and ham hock. This ‘drink’ can also be a dipper cornbread.

4 – Koolickles … also known as Kool-Aid Pickles. Multiple flavors, this might be a big sweet-n-sour snack.

5 – Delta Hot Tamales … a Mississippi Delta favorite. This adapted Mexican faire is smaller, seasoned in brine, and not steamed. Spicier.

6 – Chocolate Gravy. 8 – Spoon Bread (my wife likes this). 9- Tomato Gravy (but with bacon drippings). 17 – Boiled Peanuts.

These last four pretty much explain themselves. And to be honest, #17 is the only one I can say I’ve had.

Two more for today …

7 – Cracklins … fresh-fried pork skin. I guess football isn’t the only thing for which pigskins are good. High heat … a little fat left on it … first thing cooked at a hog-killing … nothing like the Frito-Lay baked product (so am told).

10 – Chicken Bog … a one-pot dish of chicken , smoked sausage, rice, black pepper in. a chicken stock. Loris, SC is the Chicken Bog capital of the world. Wohoo. Very geographically limited … Get beyond 30 miles of Loris and you will get blank stares if you ask about Chicken Bog. It’s name comes from the rice getting ‘bogged down’ in the stew like liquid till its wet and sticky.

Let’s look at the remainder tomorrow.