US cuisine is a blend of the rich heritage brought by immigrants from all over the world. This cuisine has adopted German, Italian, English, and African traditions and reinterpreted them with its own practical, fast, and satisfying style. US dishes are known not only for their flavor but also for their global popularity.
In this article, we examine the undisputed national dish of the US, the famous dessert loved in every state, and the fastest, most popular fast food delicacy of the streets.
Here is the US gourmet trio: Hamburger, Donut, and Hot Dog.
1. The Icon of the Main Dish: Hamburger
The Hamburger is not just a dish of the US but its greatest contribution to global culinary culture, and it is considered the country’s national food. Starting from a simple beef patty and bread, it has achieved endless variations.
- What is it? Beef prepared in the shape of a patty is grilled or pan-fried and placed between a sliced bun.
- How is it Eaten? Served with cheese (Cheeseburger), lettuce, tomato, pickles, and various sauces. It can be found everywhere in the US, from fast-food chains to gourmet restaurants.
- Why a Main Dish? The Hamburger is the food that best represents the US’s fast-paced 20th-century lifestyle, modern industrial meat production, and global cultural impact.
2. The Symbol of Desserts: Donut
Although the Donut was brought to the US by Dutch immigrants, it has become a completely American icon with its modern shape, glaze, and global popularity.
- What is it? Made by cutting yeast-leavened dough into rings or rolling it into balls (donut hole) and deep-frying it.
- Varieties: Prepared plain or with a hole in the middle. Topped with chocolate, sugar, glaze, or powdered sugar. Consuming it with coffee, in particular, is part of American breakfast culture.
- History: Its origin dates back to the Dutch olykoek (oily cake) dessert that arrived in New York in the 19th century. The current ring shape was later introduced to prevent the center from remaining raw during cooking.
3. The Fast Delicacy of the Streets: Hot Dog
The Hot Dog (Sausage Sandwich) is an essential part of baseball games, fairs, and the streets of New York. Alongside the Hamburger, it defines the US street food culture.
- What is it? A long, thin sausage, typically made of beef or pork, is boiled or grilled and placed inside a soft bun cut lengthwise.
- How is it Eaten? Topped with mustard, ketchup, sweet relish (relish), and caramelized onions as in New York. Using ketchup in Chicago, however, is almost a taboo.
- The Flavor Experience: Being handheld, fast, and inexpensive has made it synonymous with American street and sports culture.
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