If You Grew Up In Minnesota, You Definitely Love These 11 Classic Dishes
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Betsy Rathburn
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When it comes to grabbing a good meal, we Minnesotans have our pick of some of the best restaurants around. No matter the type of cuisine you desire, there’s always at least one mouthwatering option. Going out to your favorite restaurant is well and good, but nothing is as good as the classic Minnesotan dishes we all grew up with. If you spent your early years in Minnesota, you definitely love these quintessentially Minnesotan foods:
Perhaps the most iconic dish in Minnesota cuisine, tater tot hotdish is the ultimate comfort food. It just doesn't get any better than these crispy tots baked with meat and cheese.
As one of Minnesota's native crops, it makes sense that wild rice has become a staple of our state's cuisine. By far the most popular way to prepare the grain is by adding vegetables, stock — and maybe chicken — to create the creamiest soup you can eat on a chilly winter day.
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Anyone who's ever been to a potluck in Minnesota knows the joy of the dessert bar. These sweet treats come in endless varieties, making them one of the most versatile desserts you can make.
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The mouthwatering deliciousness of a cheese-filled burger cannot be overstated. Whether you're a believer that Matt's Bar or the 5-8 Club invented this Minnesota classic, it doesn't matter. These burgers are always good, and they'll forever be staples of Minnesota cuisine.
With its strong Scandinavian heritage, it is no wonder that lefse is a Minnesota classic. Many families eat this dish as a tradition during the holiday season, but lefse is good all year. Why? Because it's always a good time to celebrate the tasty treats that many Minnesotans grew up eating.
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We don't mean lettuce or kale salads here. When a Minnesotan refers to salads, they might just be referring to the dessert salads that are staples of Minnesota potlucks everywhere. They come in endless varieties, often including Jell-O, fruit, and sometimes both. Anyone who grew up in Minnesota will be able to tell you their favorite.
Whether fresh-caught with our own lines or ordered from a restaurant, most Minnesotans grew up eating walleye. Baked, fried, broiled, or grilled, Minnesota's favorite fish is absolutely delicious. Eat it on its own or in a sandwich. Either way, it's seriously delicious.
No trip to the Minnesota State Fair is complete without a trip to Sweet Martha's. This cookie stand always has a line, and for good reason. For a low cost, you get a mountain of warm, gooey cookies. Top it off with all-you-can-drink milk, and you've gotta summertime classic that most Minnesotans grew up eating.
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Here's another Norwegian treat that many Minnesotans love. This thin, wafery treat is often filled with cream, but it's just as delicious plain. However you eat it, you might be a Minnesotan if you grew up eating this sweet dessert.
Another state fair classic, food on a stick is about as Minnesotan as you can get. Just about anything will do, so long as it's deep-fried and delicious. After all, what better way to walk around the Great Minnesota Get-Together than by walking while eating a skewered treat?
At first glance, booyah is a run-of-the-mill savory stew. But when you look deeper, you realize this classic Minnesota meal is much more. Entire community events are centered on the creation and consumption of this stew. A booyah dinner is a cultural event as well as a meal, and many Minnesotans — especially those who live in small towns — grew up going to them.
Minnesotans, what other foods did you grow up eating? Share your favorite Minnesota classic dishes in the comments below.
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