Foodie Fights!

Some foods are sacred.  Some foods evoke such a feeling of nostalgia and/or cultural identity.  Just the though of them trigger memories of smells and good tomes.  When you've been raised in a particular culture, they can seem very strong and important.  It is hard for you to conceive that other people may not have the same reactions as you do.

Living in the South but having been raised in Michigan, I often hear of certain foods being talked of reverently, and the assumption is, that as soon as you hear of them, you are also melting into a puddle as well.  Unfortunately, not all of them do, and I am left feeling like "the other".  Such foods and dishes like oysters, shrimp, low country boil, collard greens, watermelon, kettle corn, the candy divinity, gumbo - all leave me cold or repulsed.  I wish I could share the enthusiasm of those around me, but I just can't.

There are a few other foods that are loved here that I can eat and enjoy, but do so rarely, because they are a bit queasy in the health department.  Fried chicken falls in this category.  It's delicious, but I prefer baked, grilled or roasted as much or more.  So given that those ways are healthier, I rarely eat fried chicken.

There are some southern foods that I have taken a strong liking to, and have developed those feelings of warmth and desire for.  Breakfast in the south is vastly superior to the north.  The concept of putting sausage and cheese inside a biscuit I find one of the south's greatest contributions to mankind.  I find grits amazing, particularly cheese grits.  I love sweet tea, the sweeter the better.  Yes, I have these in moderation, but it makes them all that more special when I do have them.

I'm a little less sure of my nostalgic roots to Michigan foods.  I don't crave Michigan navy bean soup, and rhubarb pie will give me terror sweats just thinking about it.  The foods I remember may just be peculiar to me and my family.  A & W Root Beer, Faygo Red Pop, Cream of Wheat, Cream Corn Souffle, apple cider, apple pie, ham croquette from Bill Knapps, pastees from the UP, Spanish meatballs.  Casseroles in general are much more prominent where I grew up than down here.  So help me remember, Michiganders!  What are some great foods from our area that the thought of leaves your mouth watering and your memories all aglow?

If I had grown up with a different ethnic background, I'm sure this list would be quite different.  My love of Italian food makes me wonder if I wasn't Italian in a previous lifetime.

So, my southern friends, although I can't share all your foodie enthusiasms, I do respect and understand them.  Just don't expect my eyes to turn misty when they're mentioned.  And please, do pass the sausage cheese grits!