Questions, and More Questions …

I think that travel comes from some deep urge to see the world,
like the urge that brings up a worm in an Irish bog to see the moon when it is full.
~Lord Dunsany

Sitting in the passenger seat of any conveyance for any length of time gives a person plenty of time to think plenty of thoughts. The following questions are just some that clamored for attention as I watched the vastness of the USA midwest whizzing by on a recent trip to a family reunion:

1. 

   What culinary significance and treasure can be found in towns with French and German place names in the US? What about the fur traders like Henri de Tonti and their culinary influence?

2. What is unique about Gutwein Popcorn from Indiana? What’s the story behind popcorn in the US? How did it become associated with movie watching?

3. 

   Fair Oaks Farms, off exit 220 of US 65, in Indiana advertised for miles on billboards. What kind of a corporate farm do they run? How do they produce all those wonderful-looking dairy products on their colorful billboards?

4. Why did someone bestow the name “Little Potato Creek” on an Indiana creek?
5. What is the significance of “Big Muskie Bucket,” north of Marietta, Ohio? (I thought it was a fish, as in other parts of the midwest.)
6. Why did someone invent silos? How did people learn that fermenting silage was good for cattle and cows?
7. What’s the story behind the pumpkin patch in Westville, Indiana? Who created the house-sized pumpkin? See Coulters’ Produce.

   

8. What’s the backstory on the organic restaurant in Knox, Indiana, the one with the billboards flashing by? (I’d never seen an organic restaurant advertise on a billboard before.)

9. 

   Why did cooks take to Jello salads, especially lime Jello with cottage cheese and pineapple? On what previous culinary delights did the Jello people base these concoctions?

10. 

    Where did all the easy church-supper desserts come from? Seven-layer bars, Rice Krispie bars, etc.? Obviously from the back of the boxes of commercial products, but still, how did they dream these things up in the first place? What pre-existing foods and dishes provided the impetus? (Hint: think popcorn balls.)

© 2009 C. Bertelsen