I’m a fussy eater. I hate this about myself, but I’ve always been the type of girl to wrinkle my nose up at “different food”. So when I was traveling through the southern States of America, I was surprised to find that I loved southern food. Maybe it was because the tastes were comforting, yet tasty, or it took food I was used to-like chicken, and made it even more delicious by frying it. If you want to learn more about southern food, check out this post on Scenic about food in the American South.
I love how traditional southern food is. Food in the south is based on an agrarian lifestyle, which is when food is grown within a community and eaten within that community. And while many have been concerned about the animal fats in the southern diet, such as butter, tallow and lard, it turns out that these fats are actually much better for us than we ever knew- as anyone on a Keto diet can tell you.
Southern food is simple, seasonal, and fresh. The latest trend is for expensive restaurants to embrace southern food, giving it a twist and making it modern. One of my best friends is from Raleigh, and she has continually been talking about how many restaurants are taking traditionally southern food and revamping them-aiming at the upper-middle class.
I’ll be visiting the town next year, and I can’t wait to see North Carolina’s state capital. Raleigh is famous for its North Carolina barbecue, and I’ve been told that I simply must visit The Pit, a famous restaurant which does arguably the best barbecue in North Carolina.
People are beginning to listen to their doctors down in the South, and are starting to look at ways they can lighten up their food. Cutting down on the butter, lard and cream is a good start, and many restaurants are discovering that southern food can be both healthy and delicious.
While I’m on my southern road trip next year, I’m determined to visit Charleston. I’m a huge fan of books like Gone With The Wind, and I’ve always wanted to check out both the architecture and the food of this city. Located on the Charleston Harbor, I’m sure I’ll be able to try some of the excellent seafood done “southern style”.
One of the dishes Charleston is famous for is Shrimp and Grits. I don’t know how I feel about this, but I’m willing to give it a try. I tried grits last time I was in Texas and loved them, and I also like shrimp so this could be a match made in heaven.
Savannah is another city I can’t wait to visit, and I have to admit I’ll probably be that weirdo who takes pictures of the pretty houses and wanders through the cemeteries. Apparently the dish to try here is the Lowcountry Boil. This basically means you take the freshest shellfish, boil them up with vegetables and spicy sausage, and wait for the delicious flavours to merge together.
While I haven’t tasted that much southern food yet, I’ve loved what I’ve tasted and I can’t wait to get back to the south and try some more.