Food question

[periwinklepatch]

What would you consider "American food"? I'm thinking more than just hamburgers and hot dogs, but what common attributes or tastes (if any) describe American food? And would you consider Italian food ethnic? Tim and I had this conversation today, and I'm interested in other answers.

Comments

[spudboy]

I don't know where to draw the line between All-American food and regional stuff. I mean, pork tenderloins are classic Indiana fare, but I hadn't seen them before I moved out here. And collard greens are bigger in the south than they are... well, probably anywhere else. New England's got chowder and cheesesteaks, Texas has chili and barbecues, and California's got... well, I don't know what they have.

However, I'm pretty sure we, as a nation, are the kings of outdoor grilling. So we've got that.

As for "ethnic" foods, if you can get it in a national chain restaurant or Wal-Mart, it doesn't qualify anymore. Maybe local versions made from scratch would work (like visiting someone's family), but dumping a jar of Ragu on a pile of noodles does not make an Italian dinner.

[robandjodi]

Spaghetti is not Italian food, but lasagna is. Even though to a lesser extent it is all the same (pasta with meat sauce and sometimes a cheese filling), I think some of it qualifies and some does not. Spinach ravioli, yes. Chef Boyardee ravioli, no. Fettacunni alfredo yes. Ninja Turles Spaghettios...no.

[periwinklepatch]

They make Ninja Turtles Spaghettios? Would you consider a trip to Olive Garden a trip to an ethnic restaurant like if you went to the Mexican place down the street? Or would it have to be more like the mom and pop Italian restaurants?

[robandjodi]

Yes they do.
I see what you're getting at, and I agree for the most part. It isn't the same as a mom and pop place...but the mom and pop place is equally as ethnic as a Mexican place.

[periwinklepatch]

Do you think that american food is a combo of a bunch of regional tastes? I mean, other countries have their regional differences too, but we manage to lump them all in together one way or another.

Outdoor grilling is a good one. I don't associate it with any other country, although I guess other places do it. And I think it's pretty widespread around the US.