"To find food packed with meaning, history, and comfort, look no further than Appalachian cuisine. The traditional dishes of the Appalachian mountains are infused with memories of community gatherings, church potlucks, and dishes made on the fly with whatever ingredients were available in the garden each day. From sweet grunt made with foraged blueberries to soft cornbread with a drizzle of hot honey, Appalachian food is connected to the seasons and to the land in a visceral way that words can't quite describe."
"Appalachian cuisine is often mistakenly identified as being synonymous with Southern food. While the two certainly overlap, we should not forget about Northern Appalachia, where different fruits and vegetables grow. Not to mention, various cultural influences have long shaped the local cuisines in both Northern and Southern Appalachia. This means that while Eastern European pierogis may be a staple dish in Pennsylvania, folks in North Carolina may never have heard about them."
"In this list, we suggest dishes celebrated as far north as New York and as far south as Alabama. There are options for vegetarians and suggestions for meat-lovers. There are time-intensive entrees as well as quick-to-prepare appetizers. And while we have provided recipes for many of the dishes featured, let's be clear: The best way to appreciate any Appalachian dish is to pack up the car and head to the mountains."
Appalachian cuisine embodies meaning, history, comfort, and a close connection to seasons and the land. Traditional dishes arose from community gatherings, church potlucks, and ingredients available from daily gardening. Northern and Southern Appalachia host different produce and distinct cultural influences, producing dishes like Eastern European pierogis in Pennsylvania and different specialties in North Carolina. The regional repertoire spans from New York to Alabama and includes vegetarian options and meat dishes, as well as both time-intensive entrees and quick appetizers. Cornbread is a classic side served with chili, beans, soup, pulled pork, and fried chicken; it is traditionally baked in cast-iron skillets or in muffin tins and can be sweetened with sugar or honey or made savory.
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