IowaDee

And way, way too cute to ever even consider eating!

What oven temperature should these beauties be baked at.? Anxious to try them and thanks for sharing.

He was the reason I found my way to this wonderful place. I will always be in his debt for that. May his family take comfort in all the kind comments that will appear here.

If you Google it, you will learn all about it. The name involves large amounts of drinking at a long-gone tavern. Sounds like whatever they were drinking might qualify as a regional item! No reason we can't have a beverage per state as well.

My favorite place in Arkansas is called Toad Suck. Don't suppose that would make a great dish but you can't beat the name. I too am enjoying this a lot, thanks for starting it. Be sure and let us know the winning state.

In his book Paddling the happy isles of Oceania, author Paul Theroux mentions that Spam is a favorite all across the region. He claims that he was told that members of former cannibal groups swear that it tastes more like human flesh that anything else. In the good old days, humans destined for the cooking pots were called "long pigs."

I'm about three miles from the Missouri line so I'm cheating here but I do think Bud Beer defines the State for me. Go Cards! And St. Louis has some damn tasty BBQ. And if you want good Italian grub, just visit The Hill.

Has anyone mentioned the Hot Brown as iconic to Kentucky? Or maybe the Mint Julip is better? Why not both at the same time?

I read that in 2001 it was declared the official state snack by the governor. Green Jell-o being the favorite.

Has anyone mentioned Utah and funeral potatoes? The residents also eat more Jello than any other state.

So you're taking away "my" tenderloin? Well, I always have The Butter Cow to fall back on

Imagine moving to to Iowa in the early 70's and trying to describe an artichoke. Even hoping to find an avocado was dicey! To me, both are iconic California foods.

Iowa is the home of Eskimo Pies and the Red Delicious apple. Also known for Maid Rite sandwiches, tenderloins as big as your head and get ready, corn cob jelly. It is also home to some of the best ice cream in the world and produces huge amounts of it. I used to think it was the home of grey food coloring because so many dishes were just blah. Things have started to improve in recent years. Once in a while I even see a small bottle of Tabasco sauce on the table at a local eatery.

Yes, I do need help. The way I say always causes people to say "God bless you". after I do.

We moved to small town Iowa from big city California many years ago. I was in the one and only market looking for tortillas. I asked where they might be and said the word as I always had. A woman next to me corrected me by saying that the word was tortilla and the" till " rhymed with "fill" Later I found out that she was the Spanish teacher at the local high school! . Watcha gonna do?

Maybe she has another site for people who like to watch bulimics? Sorry that's terrible but was my first thought.

Oh God, I love those cookies too! My latest favorite is T.J's fig butter. Lightly toast a piece of cocktail bread and melt a slab of stinky cheese on it. Add a dollop of fig butter and meet a version of heaven. Extra good when washed down with champagne, but what isn't?

chocojones.....?

I probably shouldn't even mention this but wow did I score big. We have an Amish owned scratch and dent store here. They were selling 27 ounce cans of Hatch chilies for 85 cents each. Damage was so minor you really had to look. More like a scuff than a dent. Did I buy anyway? You bet I did, every single one.

Amen, Shel, exactly my thoughts. Nice if you can go that way but it isn't always possible.

TJ's Kona coffee shortbread cookies...swoon

Anyone remember Descoware? That was good stuff. I got several pieces as wedding gifts and used them constantly. I always home in on the housewares section in thrift shops hoping to find a treasure. No luck.

Blogs like this are exactly the reason I joined this place! Thank You.

I find it interesting that Barilla has a large factory in Iowa which was one of the first states to allow gay marriage. I also refuse to buy certain products because of my feeling about the owners, Coors beer is right up there along with anything the "K' Bros control. But far be it from me to tell you what to buy and whom to buy it from. Other than making me feel better, I don't suppose my stand makes much, if any, difference.

I'm picturing a Hawaiian hula dancer broom. The grass skirt is already provided.