After living in eight states from Colorado to Wisconsin to Massachusetts throughout my life, I’ve always found that each place has its own surprising and particular foods and ways of eating. I’d never had Green Hatch Chiles before living in Denver, or Fish Fry Friday with Walleye before coming to Madison.
So I am especially enjoying getting to know Terese Allen, the author of the wonderful book “The Flavor of Wisconsin,” who I’ve been working with to help launch the magazine Edible Madison this summer. Terese knows more about food in Wisconsin than anybody. At the magazine’s launch party this past weekend, she told me about a dish I’d never had before–Green Bay Chili. She was about to prepare it for a big family gathering. It’s not your typical chili, but instead a tomato meat sauce, spaghetti, beans, and whatever else you like served buffet-style. My friend Tracy, who is also from Wisconsin, said that’s the only way she makes chili. Hers comes with green onions and sour cream.
And by the way, a water fountain is called a “bubbler” here in Wisconsin. What are your favorite regional dishes?
You will have to try the fish fry Friday at the Bear Lake Bar. Great walleye!!