Because the United States is a melting pot of different nationalities and cultures, it's not surprising that American cuisine is extremely diverse. In many ways, American cuisine is a synthesis of cuisines from around the world. For this reason, and because of the sheer size of the United States, it makes more sense to discuss American cuisine by region.
Midwestern cuisine tends to be dominated by simple foods from the region, such as wheat, corn, beef and dairy. It usually features simple yet hearty dishes with light seasoning.
Traditional New England cooking uses seafood and dairy products heavily because of its historical reliance on its fishing industry, and dairy farming. Parsley and sage are common New England herbs and the potato is the favored starch.
Southwestern cooking has been heavily influenced by Mexican cuisine. It is known for its heavy use of spices, particularly chile pepper, and the accompaniment of beans. Fajitas and chili con carne are typical Southwestern dishes.
California's cuisine adapts old world and far east cooking techniques to ingredients found in California. Many dishes include seafood, avocado, artichoke, citrus fruits and mushrooms.
The food of the American South is actually quite multicultural. The most notable influences come from African, Native American, Caribbean, British, Irish, French, and Spanish cuisines.
Did you know that you can trace the origins of some of the most frequently eaten foods in America, including the hamburger and pizza, to other countries? Read on to learn about the fascinating history of some favorite American foods.
-
The true origin of the hamburger is unclear, but hamburger patties arrived in America when German immigrants landed here in the 19th century. Traditional hamburgers on a bun were first served in America by Louis Lassen in New Haven, Connecticut 1895.
-
How did pizza make its way from Naples, Italy to the United States? Italian immigrants to New York City and other cities with large Italian populations, such as Chicago and San Francisco, began making pizza when they arrived in America at the turn of the 20th century.
-
The earliest record of ice cream being served in America was in 1744 by Barbara Jannsen, the lady of Governor Blandon of Marland. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson both served ice cream to their guests. The first ice cream shop opened in New York in 1770.