Apple Stack Cake for Dessert: Appalachian Regional Foods

Abstract

How is the culture of Appalachia conveyed through its foods? Local experts in Appalachian counties were asked to create a hypothetical menu for a meal that was representative of their home region. Fried chicken and ham were the preferred main dishes and dessert selections focused on apple pie and peach or blackberry cobbler. Virtually everyone would serve iced tea. Other Appalachian specialties that appeared regularly included apple stack cake, ramps, and soup beans. Several tradition foods, survivors in isolated settings, are now being revived as symbols of regional identity and pride.

Key Words:

• Appalachia
• regional foods
• cultural geography