Philadelphia, PA - What is the state food of Pennsylvania? While Pennsylvania does not officially have state food, several options are available. The most famous of these is scrapple, which is a meatloaf made from leftover pork. The Pennsylvania state food also features a drink named for a golfer, Arnold Palmer (from Latrobe, PA.). It is a blend of half lemonade and half iced tea, and it's been a summer staple at many country clubs. A second option is Pennsylvania Dutch chicken stew, which features egg noodles and vegetables.
From Scrapple to Shoofly Pie: Discovering Pennsylvania's Iconic Dishes
Pennsylvania's culinary heritage is as diverse as its landscape, shaped by waves of immigration and a strong agricultural tradition. While the cheesesteak often steals the national spotlight, Pennsylvania boasts many unique and delicious foods, many with roots in the Pennsylvania Dutch community. This article explores some of the Keystone State's most iconic and lesser-known culinary treasures.
1. Lebanon Bologna: A Pennsylvania Dutch Smoked Sausage
Lebanon bologna is far more than just bologna; it's a Pennsylvania Dutch specialty, a semi-dry, fermented, and smoked sausage with a distinctive tangy and smoky flavor. Unlike typical bologna, Lebanon is made primarily from beef (though some variations exist) and is heavily spiced. It dates back to the early 20th century, with Seltzer's Lebanon Bologna, founded in 1902, being a prominent producer. It's often enjoyed sliced on sandwiches, as part of a cheese and charcuterie board, or even fried. The Pennsylvania Dutch played a significant role in creating this smoked sausage.
- Key Features: Semi-dry, fermented, smoked, tangy, beef-based
- Origins: Pennsylvania Dutch
- Notable Producer: Seltzer's Bologna
2. Pierogi: A Dumpling with Eastern European Roots
Pierogi (also spelled pierogies, pierogi, etc.) are dumplings of unleavened dough, typically filled with savory ingredients like potato and cheese, sauerkraut, or meat. While widespread across Eastern Europe, pierogi has become a beloved staple in Pennsylvania, particularly in areas with significant Polish, Ukrainian, and Slovak populations, such as Pittsburgh and northeastern Pennsylvania. You'll find them at festivals, churches, restaurants, and most grocery stores' frozen food aisle. Many places in Pittsburgh offer their take on this classic dish.
- Key Features: Dumplings, savory fillings, potato and cheese, sauerkraut, meat
- Origins: Eastern European (Polish, Ukrainian, Slovak)
3. Shoofly Pie: A Molasses Masterpiece
Shoofly pie is a quintessential Pennsylvania Dutch dessert, particularly popular in the Amish communities of Lancaster County and surrounding areas. This sweet, crumbly pie is characterized by molasses-based filling and a crumb topping. The name "shoofly" is said to derive from the fact that the sweet molasses attracts flies, which need to be "shooed" away. Two main variations are wet-bottom (with a gooey molasses layer at the bottom) and dry-bottom (more cake-like). It's traditionally served for breakfast but enjoyed any time of day. Many people consider this one of Pennsylvania's best desserts.
- Key Features: Molasses pie, crumb topping, wet-bottom or dry-bottom
- Origins: Pennsylvania Dutch, Amish communities
4. Peeps: The Marshmallow Candy Born in Bethlehem
While not a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch food, Peeps, the iconic marshmallow candies, are undeniably a Pennsylvania product. Manufactured by Just Born in Bethlehem, PA, Peeps are most famously associated with Easter but are now available year-round in various shapes and flavors. These sugary, colorful treats have become a national phenomenon.
- Key Features: Marshmallow candies, various shapes and colors, Easter candy
- Origins: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania (Just Born company)
Beyond the Big Four
- Cheesesteaks
- Hoagies
- Scrapple: (Mentioned in previous prompt - could be linked here)
- Pretzel (Soft & Hard)
- Whoopie Pies:
- Tomato Pie:
- Pot Pie:
- Pork and Sauerkraut:
- Haluski:
Pennsylvania's culinary landscape is far more diverse than many realize. The Keystone State offers a unique and delicious culinary journey from the hearty, savory flavors of Lebanon bologna and scrapple to the sweet indulgence of shoofly pie and Peeps. Exploring these traditional foods provides a taste of Pennsylvania's rich history and cultural heritage.
