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From fried chicken to BBQ, find out what Kansas cuisine is known for and where to get the best dishes in the state.
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Introduction
Kansas, located in the Midwest region of the United States, is known for its prairies, wheat fields, and Flint Hills. The state is also known for its Kansas City-style barbecue and Wichita-style Weißwurst (a type of sausage). Other foods that are commonly associated with Kansas include Prairie oysters (fried bull testicles), fried chicken, and Kansan cornbread.
The Land and the People
Kansas is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America. The state is named after the Kansas River which flows through it. Kansas is bordered by Nebraska to the north, Missouri to the east, Oklahoma to the south, and Colorado to the west.
The Land
Kansas is a state located in the Midwestern United States. The state’s name is derived from the Kansa Native American tribe. The tribe’s name (natively kką:ze) is often said to mean “people of the (south) wind” although this was probably not the term’s original meaning. Residents of Kansas are called Kansans.
The land area of Kansas is 82,278 square miles (213,100 km2) making it the 15th-largest state by land area and is the 34th most-populous of the 50 states with a population of 2,913,314. Kansas is bordered by Nebraska on the north; Missouri on the east; Oklahoma on the south; and Colorado on the west. Kansas is named after the Kansa Native American tribe; which inhabited the area. The tribe’s name (natively kką:ze) is often said to mean “people of the (south) wind” although this was probably not the term’s original meaning. For thousands of years, what is now Kansas was home to numerous and diverse Native American tribes. Tribes in Spanish Louisiana in 1600 included 15 different Algonquian peoples from northeastern North America, as well as Tiwa, Tanoan, and Puebloan peoples representing language families originating in whatcluding
Mesoamerica. Though commonly known as Loup Indians inpopular culture after erroneous identification with French trappers’ term for wolf provincials from Canada),[5][6] they were actually partsakehold farmers eking out a subsistence living on river bottom farms along with hunting and gathering.[7][8]
Kansas was first settled by European Americans in 1827 with frontier posts established along the Missouri River eight
The People
Kansas is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its capital is Topeka and its largest city is Wichita, with its most populated county being Johnson County. Kansas is bordered by Nebraska on the north; Missouri on the east; Oklahoma on the south; and Colorado on the west. Kansas is named after the Kansas River, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe which inhabited the area. The tribe’s name (natively kką:ze) is often said to mean “people of the (south) wind” although this was probably not the term’s original meaning. For thousands of years, what is now Kansas was home to numerous and diverse Native American tribes. Tribes in the eastern part of the state generally lived in villages along river valleys. Tribes in the western part of the state were semi-nomadic and hunted large herds of bison.
Early Native Americans domesticated corn, beans, and squash, and they supplemented their diet with hunted game, fish, and wild fruits and vegetables. Game that was hunted included deer, elk, antelope, bison (buffalo), rabbit, turkey, quail, pheasant, reptile, and fish. Wild fruits and vegetables included grapes (Vitis spp.), plums (Prunus spp.), mulberries (Morus spp.), blackberries (Rubus spp.), raspberries (Rubus spp.), gooseberries (Ribes hirtellum), strawberries (Fragaria virginiana), persimmons (Diospyros virginiana), walnuts (Juglans nigra), hickory nuts/acorns (Carya spp.), pawpaws/banana trees/plantains ((Asimina triloba/Musa sp./Ensete ventricosum), plums/prunes ((Prunus salicina/Prunus domestica), cherries ((Prunus avium/Prunus cerasus), apricots ((Armeniaca vulgaris), figs ((Ficus carica)), grapes ((Vitis labrusca)), black walnuts ((Juglans nigra)), butternuts ((Juglans cinerascens)), chestnuts ((Castanea dentata/Castanea sativa)), persimmons ((Diospyros virginiana)), mulberries ((Morus rubra)).
The first documented European visitors to Kansas were French fur trappers who traveled upriver from Mississippi during the late 17th century; they reputedly traded with Native Americans near present-day Lenexa. Things to do for residents and visitors include: attend pro or college sporting events such as basketball or football games; visit museums such as The Flint Hills Discovery Center or The Kansas Museum of History; tour Czech Heritage sites such as Barefoot Park or The Cathedral of Saint Mary of The Immaculate Conception; marvel at natural sites such as Sandstone Arches or Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve; take a scenic drive along highways such as The Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway or The Spooky Kaw Drive Through laboratory created Illusionistic forest situated right outside Wichita.; dine at local restaurants that serve specialties such as fried chicken or chili con carne.
The Food
The Staples
Kansas, like all states, has food that is unique to the area. The midwest is known for its comfort food. There are many staples that Kansans eat on a regular basis. Below are some of the most popular dishes in the state.
-Beef: Kansas is known for its beef production. Kansas City is especially famous for its steak and barbecue.
-Bread: Wheat is the state crop, so it’s no surprise that Kansas has some of the best bread in the country.
-Corn: Sweet corn is a summer staple in Kansas. It’s often served with beef or bread.
-Fried Chicken: Fried chicken is a popular dish in the south, but it’s also popular in Kansas. This dish is usually served with mashed potatoes and gravy.
-Pizza: Pizza is a popular dish in all states, but it’s especially popular in Kansas City because of the city’s large Italian population.
The Classics
While the Midwest is certainly not known for its cutting-edge cuisine, there are certain dishes that have become classics in the region. If you’re looking for a taste of true Midwestern cooking, start with some of these staples.
Fried chicken is a popular dish throughout the United States, but it really shines in the Midwest. This simple dish is usually made with a crunchy coating of flour and seasoning, and it can be served with a variety of sides. Mashed potatoes, coleslaw, and biscuits are all common accompaniments to fried chicken, and there’s no wrong way to enjoy it.
Another Midwestern classic is pork tenderloin. This lean cut of pork is pounded thin, breaded, and fried until it’s crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. It’s often served on a hamburger bun with toppings like lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles, but it can also be enjoyed on its own or with a side of french fries.
If you’re looking for something a little lighter, try a salad made with some of the region’s fresh produce. Midwesterners take pride in their homegrown fruits and vegetables, and they often show up in salads along with items like grilled chicken or steak, crumbled blue cheese, hard-boiled eggs, bacon bits, and ranch dressing.
No matter what you’re in the mood for, you’re sure to find something to love from the Midwest’s diverse culinary tradition.
The New Wave
In recent years, Kansas has seen a culinary renaissance, with a new generation of chefs innovating and elevating the state’s cuisine. This new wave of Kansas cuisine is marked by an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients, whether from the state’s thriving farms and ranchers or foraged from the wild.
This new Kansas cuisine is also influenced by the state’s rich immigrant heritage, with dishes inspired by the cuisines of Mexico, Vietnam, Ethiopia, and beyond. Whether it’s traditional comfort food with a twist or something completely new, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in Kansas.
Conclusion
Kansas is known for its beef, wheat, and agricultural production. The state is also home to a variety of iconic dishes, including KC strip steak, Kansas City-style barbecue, and Wichita bread pudding. While the cuisine of Kansas may not be as well-known as that of other states, it is nonetheless an important part of the Midwest’s culinary heritage.
