Whoopie Pie Controversy, Yum!
Maine and Pennsylvania are fighting over the whoopie pie, both claiming it's the rightful home of this fluffy, cream-filled dessert. Maine state Rep. Paul Davis sponsored a bill in January to make the whoopie pie Maine's official state treat, which looks like it will pass this month. There were some competing views during testimony in the Maine legislature, particularly about lard:
Rep. Don Pilon of Saco, Maine, told the committee that whoopie pies are not the dessert to promote at a time when more than 30 percent of students in the state are overweight. "Do we really want to glorify a dessert that lists lard as its primary ingredient?" he asked. Pilon says he thinks the wild blueberry pie should be the official state dessert, because blueberries represent a major industry there.
But Pennsylvanians aren't happy about it, saying whoopie pies are part of their Amish and Dutch heritage. The historical fact checking about the dessert's origin doesn't appear to be extensive on either side: older people in Maine say they remember whoopie pies as a kid, and in Pennsylvania many tell family stories of an Amish baker shouting "Whoopie!" when checking a pie.
Both states have Whoopie Pie Festivals. I think Pennsylvania's does look cooler (Whoopie Pie Race, Whoopie Pie Checkers, Biggest Whoopie Pie Ever Made!).
Do you know your official state foods?
I hadn't seen the list before, and what an eye-opener. Missouri snags the "ice cream cone"? Really? Just like that? The lists of state foods for Oklahoma and Texas are basically a full cowboy's menu (biscuits, grits, cornbread, chili con carne, watermelon ... could you need anything else?). But other states aren't nearly as enthusiastic: Ohio and Tennessee both share the tomato, and nothing else. Come on, Ohio, aren't you proud of your buckeyes?
- Comment (11)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (1)
Comments :
Jun '10
Re: Whoopie Pie Controversy, Yum!
My view is that the longer both legislatures fight over this issue, the better it will be for the good citizens of Maine and Pennsylvania [two exceptions: unless it keeps them from balancing their budgets or bringing public employee unions back in line].
I will say that the rights to the Whoopie Pie are worth fighting over.
I am proud to tell you that the official snack food of Utah (my home state) is Jell-O (preferably green). Mormons like me want to avoid even the appearance of evil (e.g., coffee-flavored ice cream).
Mar '11
Re: Whoopie Pie Controversy, Yum!
I love it that in North Carolina, the state blue berry is, wait for it...
the blueberry!
May '10
Re: Whoopie Pie Controversy, Yum!
Skipping right past the idea that any state should have a state pastry or state snack, that chart's all wrong. In what alternate universe does Louisiana prefer natchitoches to crawfish? And steak doesn't make the cut for Texas?
At least they got pecans and 1015 onions right.
May '10
Re: Whoopie Pie Controversy, Yum!
Tennessee is home to the Little Debbie company, including the Oatmeal Creme Pie which looks suspiciously whoopean. Also, we have a Moon Pie plant, though I think the Moon Pie festival is in Alabama or Mississippi or somewhere. Moon Pies always struck me as a bit dry, requiring the assistance of an RC Cola, also from Tennessee.
Little-known fact: Little Debbies are certified kosher. They're located in a Seventh Day Adventist town 30 minutes north of Chattanooga, and their facilities are regularly inspected by a rabbi.
Jun '10
Re: Whoopie Pie Controversy, Yum!
I am astounded that my own state - Tennessee - has not recognized the Babecued Pork Rib, or wait... should it be the pulled pork? or the ckicken? Ok, This is the delimma faced by patrons at every good BBQ joint in the area and may be why they just said tomato went to hash it out over a sampler platter and a pitcher of beer.
Jun '10
Re: Whoopie Pie Controversy, Yum!
Oh wait, now I see that Oklahoma has gluttonized the entire southern diet like William Perry at the all you can eat buffet. So what is the point?
Dec '10
Re: Whoopie Pie Controversy, Yum!
The more important debate in terms of world cuisine is whether Israel can lay claim to falafel and hummus as indigenous dishes or whether Lebanon has veto power over their origin.
And of course, the EU plans to give the Cornish pasty a appellation of regional origin, meaning that any identical pastry-encased lunch made anywhere outside Cornwall has to give up the word "Cornish" in its name. As if there were something in the air in Cornwall that made the pies bake differently....
Dec '10
Re: Whoopie Pie Controversy, Yum!
I am amazed that California has not recognized San Francisco sourdough bread as an official state food.
Oct '10
Re: Whoopie Pie Controversy, Yum!
"Mormons like me want to avoid even the appearance of evil (e.g., coffee-flavored ice cream)."
Tablet, now that there are so many studies touting the health benefits of coffee, is the LDS position changing? I have a Seventh Day Adventist friend I've been meaning to ask this same question.
Dec '10
Re: Whoopie Pie Controversy, Yum!
The correct answer is: Pennsylvania. I should know.
Edited on Mar 25, 2011 at 7:58pmRe: Whoopie Pie Controversy, Yum!
The reason Missouri claims the ice-cream cone is that near as anyone can tell, they first appeared (on any scale) at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis. I kid you not. There's a funny, perhaps apocryphal story with the line “Give me zalabia!” from 1928.