Having grown up in Raleigh, the N.C. State Fair is in my blood. As well it should be for anyone who has grown up in North Carolina or lived here for at least one Fair season. If someone says they've never been to the Fair, I can't help but look at them like they're from outer space, or, horror of horrors, New York! And that's just what happened about six months ago.
That's when I met my boyfriend, Jim. Jim is a biker from New York. He's lived in Raleigh for five years but has never attended the Fair. When I heard this, after picking my jaw up off the floor, I immediately started thinking about what a deprived child he is! Never had the sweet and salty taste of roasted corn? The free hushpuppies in the Mill? The embarrassment of eating a huge turkey leg? The ice cream made from cows' milk just down the road? And then there's the deep fried goodies-oreos, cheesecake, and milky way bars! But, my favorite by far, fried PICKLES!!
When I saw the post for a Deep Fried Ambassador on Facebook, I thought what better opportunity to show Jim all the tasty delights that the Fair has to offer. Let this southern girl show that Yankee how it's really done. After all, if I can get on the back of a bike for him (shhh, don't tell him that I secretly LOVE it!), the least he can do is eat some greasy, tasty, artery-clogging food for me!
Side note, and something that has now become my life's mission, is getting Jim to adore southern food the way I do. Thank the dear Lord he's already a fan of good ol' Eastern North Carolina pulled pork BBQ. However, despite his insistence on calling it Cream of Wheat (wow that was hard to type), my quest to turn him into a fan of grits (extra butter and salt please) continues!!
And, I can't think of anything better than the chance to be Deep Fried American Shanpie.
Nicely put. And, if you need assistance getting Jim to the fair, please let me know. I'll be at the dairy barn eating ice cream.
ReplyDeleteWell Kiss my Grits! We're gonna turn him into a Southern Boy before you know it. Next he needs to learn the Southern language"yall"
ReplyDeleteYall gonna wear your bib coveralls and straw hat too??? LOL Shannon definately converting me and enjoying all the new experiences as I am sure she has on the bike.
ReplyDelete"good ol' Eastern North Carolina pulled pork BBQ"
ReplyDeleteOh my, let me count the sins.
1. Good ol'. That goes without saying unless we're speaking comparatively, say, regarding Parker's vs. Dave's.
2. Pulled pork. There is no need to mention pork (or anything other qualifier) in the sentence with BBQ. They all be redundant. When we say BBQ, we mean, good, ol', Eastern, NC, pulled, and pork all in those three letters. You may occasionally specify further for the enlightenment of readers of the northern persuasion, which might be what you're doing here.
3. Extra note on pulled. When did we hitch the roaster to the truck? Oh yeah, that was last night.
3. And about the corn. Those be roas'nin ears.
OK, I'm deeper in trouble than usual. I'll be hiding in the barn with Tracie and the ice cream. I needs me a comabaniller.
Yes, Penny, you're in trouble! And yes, in response to #2, I was explaining for the enlightenment of those raised north of the Mason Dixon.
ReplyDelete