Pennsylvania has some fantastic food. There’s no denying that this state is home to many specialty foods, and we love them all. But, one stands out, and it’s not a big surprise. Or is it?
Taste of Home scoured America to find the most iconic foods in each state. Side note: I’m so happy that Taste of Home is still around. I used to love getting their recipe booklets and magazines as a kid. Back to the best foods, though. In the article, they state, “Fried dill pickles. Hot dogs with chili and cole slaw. A dessert made of snow. These are just some of the more unusual and iconic foods found throughout our United States. And while each state lays claim to bragging rights for common fare, it’s the stuff you don’t tend to find everywhere else that defines the most iconic food from every state.”
First, let’s do New Jersey, since it’s so close to Philly. Their most iconic food is tomato pie. “There’s pizza, and then there’s tomato pie. And the difference is in the preparation,” Taste of Home states. “This treat has pizza dough, like a pizza, and cheese and tomato. But in the tomato pie, the cheese goes on first and then is topped with a heaping ladle of crushed tomatoes, instead of pureed sauce.” Yum.
So, what’s the most iconic food in Pennsylvania? Of course, it’s cheesesteak. Not surprising, but a little surprising, since it’s so obvious. Taste of Home says, “In the 1930s, a hot dog vendor in Philadelphia put some sliced beef on his grill, served it on a hot dog bun, loaded up the cheese, and the cheesesteak was born.” They add, “Now, the cheesesteak uses thinly sliced ribeye beef and various toppings, like onions or peppers on a long roll. Try this open-faced variation on the classic.” Find the full list of the most iconic foods in every state here.
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