In researching the history of freedmen’s towns this morning, we came across a rather irresistible bit of trivia: the fact that Oklahomans have an official state meal. And what a doozy of a repast it is (PDF):
Chicken-fried steak
Barbecue pork
Fried okra
Squash
Blackeyed peas
Cornbread
Biscuits
Sausage gravy
Grits
Corn
Strawberries
Pecan pie
This gluttonous revelation made us curious as to whether there’s any correlation between the nature of a state’s official foods and its ranking in the national obesity table. Could Mississippi make its citizens healthier by adopting water with a lemon slice as its official state drink?
Also, in case you’re curious as to why New Mexico has a state cookie, the scoop is here.
Gramsci // Sep 9, 2009 at 11:56 am
This reads like every last meal I ever read about
while I was growing up in the South. I guess OK death row inmates can save some time ordering– “I’ll have the ‘Official,” they say.
Chicken-Fried Steak, Cont’d // Sep 9, 2009 at 12:37 pm
[…] response to our post below about Oklahoma’s artery-mucking official meal, one of our favorite commenters chimed in: This reads like every last meal I ever read about while […]
Jonathan Drain // Sep 10, 2009 at 1:59 am
Someone obviously drew this list up while really hungry.
Brendan I. Koerner // Sep 10, 2009 at 2:17 pm
@Jonathan Drain: Either that, or it was concocted by a cardiac surgeon looking to create new patients.