Every region has its own unique cuisine, influenced by climate, culture, and the availability of certain ingredients and cooking methods. With its history of mass immigration, America has been heavily influenced by various diets worldwide, but it also has its own unique foods. Here are 18 U.S. snacks and meals that most people cannot understand and certainly don’t fancy trying.
Deep-Fried Butter
Perhaps the person who thought up this fat-laden treat was underweight? Originating in the American South, at carnivals and fairs, deep-fried butter can be consumed plain, sprinkled with sugar/syrup, or even used as a topping for other foods. While other countries do deep-fry fatty foods (like cheese), most people would find this buttery snack too rich, greasy, and calorific.
Rocky Mountain Oysters
Don’t let the name fool you; these aren’t shellfish. Atlas Obscura explains that, in the American West, “repurposing castrated bulls’ testicles has made for legendary snacking.” Originally enjoyed by Rocky Mountain cattle ranchers, the gonads are deep or pan-fried and served with dipping sauces. Still, they aren’t a universally popular snack for obvious reasons.
Chicken and Waffles
This unique dish has roots in African American culinary traditions of the Southern U.S. and probably arose during the time of slavery. It was a meal of necessity, utilizing the poorest cuts of chicken and readily available ingredients to make a comforting meal. Despite its savory nature, the dish is typically served with sweet sauces, which the uninitiated can find off-putting.
Ambrosia Salad
The Alabama Chanin claims this Southern classic from Alabama and Mississippi gets “a bad rap” thanks to the presence of coconut. It’s a canned fruit salad with marshmallows, shredded coconut, and sometimes nuts, all bound together with whipped cream, sour cream, or even cool whip. Most outsiders are put off by the overpowering sweetness and odd combination of textures.
Peanut Butter and Pickle Sandwich
Everyone’s heard of peanut butter with jelly, but this Midwest alternative is popular in states like Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. Elsewhere, the sweet creaminess of the peanut butter and the salty, vinegary tang of the pickles is considered an acquired taste, and it isn’t a standard menu item. Even if you like nut butter, the combination of sweet nuttiness and sour crunch can be unappealing.
Moon Pies
These classic road-trip or packed lunch snacks are an everyday treat in the South and were invented in 1917 by a baker from Chattanooga, Tennessee. They are a lot like uncooked smores, consisting of sweet, sticky marshmallows sandwiched between graham crackers and covered in chocolate. In general, they aren’t popular anywhere else besides the South.
Scrapple
According to The Food Network, “Scrapple is a dish made from scraps of pork meat, usually trimming, combined with cornmeal and spices” and comes from 18th-century Dutch settlers in Pennsylvania as a way to use leftover pork scraps. Its gelatinous texture, appearance, and intense flavor make it an acquired taste, and it is only really enjoyed in the Midwest.
Grits
Many cuisines have similar foods, but few people eat true grits outside of the Southern U.S. states. They’re made from stone-ground corn and were a staple food in Native American cultures that was adopted by European settlers. Unlike porridge, grits are typically savory and served with butter, cheese, or gravy, and their popularity has a minimal range.
Chicken Fried Steak
Also known as country fried steak, this southern dish aimed to utilize the cheapest, least tender chicken cut to make a hearty meal. OKW News asserts that it is the 7th most hated meal for dieters, primarily due to its large size, high-fat content, and tendency to be served with buttered mashed potatoes and gravy. Many foreigners also find it unappealing due to its poor quality.
Twinkies
Elsewhere in the world, most people only know about Twinkies from Hollywood movies, and they aren’t a common American export. Invented in 1930 by James Dewar for the Hostess Cake Company, Twinkies were initially marketed as a convenient, affordable snack during the Great Depression. Their suspiciously long shelf life is due to their low moisture and high sugar content.
Root Beer Floats
The invention of soda fountains in the late 19th century led to the creation of root beer ‘floats,’ a tall glass of root beer topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream that floats on top. While they are popular in their native Philadelphia and all over the U.S., other countries aren’t used to the unique flavor of sassafras root and opt for more refreshing, less sweetened beverages.
Funnel Cakes
Outsiders often find these fair treats too sweet and greasy, although they remain popular in many American states, including their native Pennsylvania. The cake batter is poured through a funnel into hot oil, creating the signature frilly shape, then topped with powdered sugar, chocolate, or other sweet toppings. Needless to say, they aren’t a great option for dieters!
Beef Jerky
This native American food was designed to keep meat edible for extended periods, especially on long journeys where meat could not always be found. The drying process removes moisture and concentrates the gamey flavor of the beef. In South America, there’s a similar snack called “charqui” made from llama meat, but most non-Americans find the concept of dried meat strange.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Created in 1928 by the H.B. Reese Company, these sweet treats feature creamy peanut butter with a milk chocolate coating. They’re enjoyed throughout the U.S. and are so popular here that they now come in various forms, including king-size bars, miniature cups, and even peanut butter eggs around Easter. Abroad, they’re relatively unknown and rarely available.
Pop-Tarts
Kellogg’s invented these sweet, heavily processed breakfast tarts in 1964, just as electric toasters became ubiquitous in American kitchens. Despite being beloved throughout the U.S., particularly among children, they haven’t had much success elsewhere. Foreigners find the artificial fillings and over-sweetened icing too much, especially first thing in the morning.
Corn Dogs
Most non-Americans will have heard of Corn Dogs from American movies, but few fancy trying these quintessential ballpark treats—typically made from low-quality pork frankfurters deep fried in a corn-based batter. South Korea has a similar street food called “Korean corn dogs” using a thick batter of potato with rice flour, but most countries avoid ‘battered meat on a stick.’
Circus Peanuts
Despite their confusing name, these aren’t made with peanuts anymore. Nowadays, a combination of starch, sugar, and artificial flavoring is used to make these brightly colored candies, typically eaten at circuses, fairs, and amusement parks. Many people outside the U.S. dislike the idea of artificial peanut flavor and find the chewy texture unappealing.
Clam Pizza
This unique pizza variation originated in New Haven, Connecticut, and is a local favorite despite its divisive seafood topping. It’s made with white clam sauce instead of marinara and topped with fresh clams, hard cheese, garlic, and sometimes rocket and bacon. Despite being a favorite in its native region, it hasn’t gained popularity elsewhere, perhaps because of the clams!?
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