Vegans and vegetarians may want to skip today’s article, but for the rest of you with peaked interest you’re in for some cooking inspiration. These meals may be a bit odd to an outsider, but they’re just another meal to us. Remember, if you go through this list and see nothing weird, then you’re a true Arkansan.
- Venison
Flickr/Stijn Nieuwendijk There’s no denying that hunted and self-prepared meat is far superior to any plastic wrapped tray from the store. Whether its chili, jerky, or the little floured and fried backstrap steaks (my favorite), venison is an Arkansas staple.
- Frog Legs
Flickr/Katharine Shilcutt Arkansans have taken this French delicacy and reinvented it with some southern home-cookin’ flair. Most catfish buffets offer frog legs all year around here, but the best time jump for this meal is during bullfrog season around mid-April.
- Possum Pie
Flickr/Andrea Goh Alright, this one is a bit of a misnomer, but it’s delicious so it’s on here. Fool your out of state friends and take them for a slice of possum pie. They may grimace and protest at first but once they realize it’s just a layered chocolate and pecan pie they’ll know the jokes on them.
- Rocky Mountain Oysters
Flickr/jan go I was first introduced to these as Rocky Mountain Oysters but they’re also known as Cowboy Caviar or Swinging Beef around here. This dish is made up of deep-fried bull calf testicles and just topped with a bit of salt and pepper. It may not be an only in Arkansas meal, but a true Arkansan wouldn’t bat an eye as they ask for the barbecue sauce.
- Gator
TripAdvisor/WellTraveledtwo Arkansans have adopted the Cajun classic as a lunchtime favorite. It’s not too uncommon to see gator on the menu at different seafood places, but if you want a fantastic selection then we suggest Who Dat’s Cajun Restaurant in Bald Knob. They serve gator as fried bites, Po Boy sandwiches, and as a deluxe dinner. They also have a kid’s gator plate! Who Dat’s is located at 3209 Highway 367 N in Bald Knob.
- Squirrel
Flickr/Richard Toller The world championship squirrel cook-off is held every year in Bentonville so you know Arkansans take their squirrel seriously. The critters can be fried, stewed, baked, or used in sausage or gumbo. The cook-off this past year even had entries of squirrel pizza and ice cream — weird!
- Coon Supper
Flickr/frankieleon The small town of Gillett has held an annual Coon Supper since 1933. Citizens trap the raccoons and turn them in for about $1.70 per pound for weeks leading up to the event. The supper is used as a scholarship fundraiser for local high school students and has oddly become a political rite of passage. Governors, legislators, and the ilk come for a chance to be seen and rub elbows. Raccoon is served smoked alongside sweet potatoes, rice, and locally-baked cakes.
Do you have memories of eating some of these things growing up? What’s your favorite weird recipe? Share with us in the comments below!
Flickr/Stijn Nieuwendijk
There’s no denying that hunted and self-prepared meat is far superior to any plastic wrapped tray from the store. Whether its chili, jerky, or the little floured and fried backstrap steaks (my favorite), venison is an Arkansas staple.
Flickr/Katharine Shilcutt
Arkansans have taken this French delicacy and reinvented it with some southern home-cookin’ flair. Most catfish buffets offer frog legs all year around here, but the best time jump for this meal is during bullfrog season around mid-April.
Flickr/Andrea Goh
Alright, this one is a bit of a misnomer, but it’s delicious so it’s on here. Fool your out of state friends and take them for a slice of possum pie. They may grimace and protest at first but once they realize it’s just a layered chocolate and pecan pie they’ll know the jokes on them.
Flickr/jan go
I was first introduced to these as Rocky Mountain Oysters but they’re also known as Cowboy Caviar or Swinging Beef around here. This dish is made up of deep-fried bull calf testicles and just topped with a bit of salt and pepper. It may not be an only in Arkansas meal, but a true Arkansan wouldn’t bat an eye as they ask for the barbecue sauce.
TripAdvisor/WellTraveledtwo
Arkansans have adopted the Cajun classic as a lunchtime favorite. It’s not too uncommon to see gator on the menu at different seafood places, but if you want a fantastic selection then we suggest Who Dat’s Cajun Restaurant in Bald Knob. They serve gator as fried bites, Po Boy sandwiches, and as a deluxe dinner. They also have a kid’s gator plate! Who Dat’s is located at 3209 Highway 367 N in Bald Knob.
Flickr/Richard Toller
The world championship squirrel cook-off is held every year in Bentonville so you know Arkansans take their squirrel seriously. The critters can be fried, stewed, baked, or used in sausage or gumbo. The cook-off this past year even had entries of squirrel pizza and ice cream — weird!
Flickr/frankieleon
The small town of Gillett has held an annual Coon Supper since 1933. Citizens trap the raccoons and turn them in for about $1.70 per pound for weeks leading up to the event. The supper is used as a scholarship fundraiser for local high school students and has oddly become a political rite of passage. Governors, legislators, and the ilk come for a chance to be seen and rub elbows. Raccoon is served smoked alongside sweet potatoes, rice, and locally-baked cakes.
If you’d like a laugh, then check out these hilarious Arkansas memes.
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