Pasties
What on Earth is a pasty? It sort of sounds like a pastry, but with just a slight change on the spelling. Well, a pasty is sort of like a pastry, except that it isn’t sweet. It’s usually made with some kind of dough, very similar to a pie crust, that is then wrapped around a filling, which can either be sweet or savory. Common fillings include peas, carrots, potatoes, beef, or fish, all in a delicious gravy. The pasty is thought to have come from Cornwall, England, and then brought over to the Midwest sometime in the 1800’s. The pasty was used by Cornish miners as an easy way to get a meal down into the mines that could then be eaten with the hands, requiring no silverware or plates. Ever since it was brought over to North America, it’s become a cultural staple in the Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin. There are now many pasty shops all over both states, each selling their own unique variety of the pasty. Do you have a sweet tooth? No worries! There are plenty of dessert-inspired pasties out there, including a pumpkin pasty that’s stuffed with pumpkin pie filling. Next time you head to Wisconsin or the UP, make sure to go to a Pasty shop to satisfy your hunger!
Fish Fry
A tradition every Friday, fish fries have become a staple in Wisconsin. There are some different variations, but a fish fry usually consists of two battered and deep-fried fish white-fish fillets, a pile French fries, one or two slices of rye bread, crunchy coleslaw, and tangy tartar sauce. Fish fries share many similarities to the popular British fish and chips, except for the addition of rye bread, and a batter infused with beer. Fish fries don’t only just taste great, they’re also a huge part of social connection in Wisconsin. It’s a great reason to go out on a Friday night and enjoy a meal with your friends, bonding over the great, memorable taste of a traditional dish. When it’s a Friday in Wisconsin, you can bet that fish fry will be served at nearby bar!
Cheese Curds
One of the most popular foods in Wisconsin, cheese curds are extremely simple yet absolutely delicious. All they are is just tiny little pieces of cheese, generously coated in a crispy batter, then deep fried to golden perfection. Cheese curds are commonly served with a dipping sauce such as ranch dressing. At almost any place that serves food in Wisconsin, cheese curds can be found somewhere in their appetizer section. There is tons of debate over who makes the absolute best cheese curds in Wisconsin, so it is up to you to decide who has the greatest.
Cranberries
One of Wisconsin’s most famous productions is the humble cranberry fruit. They’re usually a bright to dark red, about the size of a blueberry, and very, very tart. They’re commonly made into craisins (dried cranberries), cranberry juice, and baked into holiday deserts. Cranberries are so popular in Wisconsin that a Cranberry Festival is held annually in Warrens Wisconsin, on the last weekend of September. The festival consists of plenty of food booths, many others selling arts and crafts, and other special commodities unique to Wisconsin. You can find plenty of interesting food products containing cranberries, like pies, muffins, and even great tasting tea! If you plan on going to Wisconsin in September, consider heading over to Cranberry Fest!
Wild Rice
Another food that’s commonly produced in Wisconsin, Wild Rice is a delicious and nutritious food. It was the staple of many Native American diets because it provided an excellent source of complex carbohydrates and other important nutrients. Wild Rice is not technically related to rice, rather it’s actually its own type of plant. Wild Rice actually grows on bodies of water, and is commonly harvested by boat. Traditionally, Natives would go out in birch tree boats, and then knock the tall stalks of wild Rice with “Rice knockers,” which look like small, carved sticks about a foot long. The ripe grains would fall into the hull of the boat after being hit, and the, rice would be taken to shore and further processed. Wild Rice is actually extremely healthy because it is one of the only foods in the world that is almost exactly the same as it was thousands of years ago, because it has never been subjected to selective breeding. Wild Rice has a nutty flavor, and is slightly more chewy than normal long grain white rice. Next time you come up to Wisconsin, or just any time, look for Wild Rice in a small store or supermarket! Use it to replace your regular rice, put it in a soup, or even eat it for breakfast with maple syrup and blueberries!
Bratwursts
Just image a friendly neighborhood cook out, with the great smell of different meats and veggies sitting on the grill, releasing their outstanding scents into the atmosphere, In Wisconsin, one of those meats sitting on the grill would most definitely be a bratwurst. Bratwursts are large smoked pork sausages, that look almost like a thicker brown hot dog, which then is often stuffed with other things like cheese or peppers. They became popular in Wisconsin because of the German settlers that came here and brought their tradition of sausage making over to the state with them. Ever since then, brats have always been included on the grill in Wisconsin. Before you have a brat cookout, make sure to buy brat buns, ketchup, and mustard, and don’t
forget the sauerkraut!
Dairy Products
Dairy is probably one of Wisconsin’s most well known productions. The state produces so much of it because of the hundreds of dairy farmers and master cheese makers that live there. (Yes, becoming a master cheese maker is a real thing, and it takes 10 years!) Wisconsin has plenty of delicious foods made out of dairy, including milk, ice cream, butter, yogurt, cottage cheese, and last but not least, cheese! Dairy products are one of the most commonly consumed foods in the United States, so it’s definitely worth it to travel to Wisconsin to try some of the fresh, master-crafted, delicious dairy products the state has to offer!
Potatoes
Another one of Wisconsin’s most famous productions is potatoes! Potatoes are a very common food to find on an Americans’ plate. On average, an American will consume 110.3 pounds of potatoes in just a single year! Wisconsin is the third biggest producer of potatoes in the United States, helping to make this delicious and nutritious food available to everyone. Potatoes are so amazing because of the hundreds of ways they can be served. They can be mashed, baked, roasted, fried, and even turned into pancakes! Next time you visit Wisconsin, order a hot and ready potato dish at a restaurant, or make some potatoes as a side at your next family gathering!
Runny Ranch
When you order chicken tenders or cheese curds at a bar in Wisconsin, always expect to have a side of salty, tangy, and creamy runny ranch, that perfectly compliments whatever is dipped inside. It’s always been a complete mystery on just how it’s even possible to create this heavenly sauce. It could simply be just normal ranch left out of the fridge for a while, but it never quite tastes exactly like the store-bought stuff. Runny ranch goes best with hot and crispy chicken tenders, fresh cheese-curds, or fresh-caught fish fingers, but it’s so good that you can dip your fries in it too! Next time you order something at a bar in Wisconsin, savor the incredible runny ranch that they offer in a little plastic cup alongside your food!
Kwik Trip Glazers
When you’re in a big rush, and you need a quick bite to eat, Kwik Trip has always got your back. They have an enormous selection of prepared, warm, and ready-to-eat foods, like breakfast sandwiches, hot dogs, fried chicken, and of course, the famous Kwik Trip Glazer! They are very similar to normal glazed donuts, but something about them just makes them taste absolutely amazing! Glazers are so famous in Wisconsin that you can even make yourself a hot ham and Glazer sandwich, which is ham and cheese stuffed in-between two Glazer donuts. Next time your in a hurry, head to Kwik Trip and indulge yourself with a Glazer donut, and you’ll never think of your local donut shop the same!
Matt's Meals 