Taste of America: Sanddabs, Meat Pies, Bourbon and Much More

In recent months, the Gozaic staff shared favorite places for authentic food in our hometowns. We’ve asked Gozaic partners to do the same. These great suggestions guide you to the best regional flavors, restaurants, food festivals and trails.

Monterey County, California
Nicole Gustas, with the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau, shares three of her favorite regional flavors.

Castroville, in Monterey County, is the artichoke capital of the world, growing almost every artichoke sold in the United States. The Castroville Artichoke Festival (May 15-16, 2010) has celebrated the artichoke for more than half a century. Area chefs provide their favorite artichoke recipes.

Monterey’s two abalone farms produce the nation’s only fresh, ocean-reared abalone. It is served by all the better seafood restaurants in Monterey County.

Finally, Nicole say sanddabs are on the menu at every restaurant in Monterey County that offers seafood, usually served fried, and rarely seen anywhere else. This small flatfish is exquisitely sweet and tender.

Natchitoches, Louisiana
Latisha McDaniel, with the Natchitoches Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, tells us that Natchitoches is home to the famous Natchitoches meat pies, a local empanada-style pie filled with beef, pork and seasoning. Meat pies have been popular since the late 1700s, but gone are the days when street vendors would chant, "Hotta meat pies! Get your hotta meat pies right here!" Natchitoches was named the Official Meat Pie Capital of Louisiana by the state legislature in 2004. The Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival offers the chance to taste a variety of these fried pies, including a crawfish version. Be sure to save room for the meat pie-eating contest! Want to make the meat pies at home? Here’s the recipe.

Lexington, Kentucky
Three distinctive flavors and experiences are suggested by Lauren Campbell, from the Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau.

A regional ginger-based soft drink, Ale-8-One, has been made in neighboring Winchester, Kentucky, since 1926. Tours are given of the facility and reservations are required.

After first opening to the public in April 1989, Ramsey’s Diner has grown to four restaurants in Lexington. Ramsey’s serves good old-fashioned comfort food: pot roast, meat loaf, chicken and dumplings, Southern veggie dishes and the Hot Brown once voted "Best of the Bluegrass."

The September issue of National Geographic Traveler includes the Kentucky Bourbon Trail in its "Drives of a Lifetime — The World's Greatest Scenic Routes." Four of these distilleries are located within 25 miles of Lexington: Buffalo Trace, Four Roses, Woodford Reserve and Wild Turkey.

Next week we continue this series with great ways to sample local food while traveling to Taos, New Mexico; Apalachicola, Florida; and Amish Country of Northern Indiana.

Readers: Do you have a favorite local food, drink or restaurant you’d like to share? We’d love your recommendations in the comments section below.

Photos top to bottom:
Artichokes at a Castroville farm stand, image courtesy of Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Abalone dish at Marinus Restaurant, Bernardus Lodge, Carmel Valley, image courtesy of Bernardus Lodge. Lasyone's Meat Pie Restaurant is home to the famous meat pie, image courtesy of Natchitoches Area Convention and Vistors Bureau. A tour group at the Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Ky., image by Jeff Rogers and courtesy of Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau.

St. Patrick's Day Parades and Festivities

Everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day! Check out these great parades and celebrations of Irish history and traditions.

Wilmington-Brandywine Valley, Delaware
35th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, March 13, noon
The 35th Annual St. Patrick’s Day parade is a magnet for Wilmington, Delaware’s large Irish population and unofficially ushers in spring. The parade begins at 4th Street and, appropriately, ends at St. Patrick’s Church on 15th Street. More than 10,000 spectators are expected to line King Street to see the Irish dancers and bands.

Buffalo-Niagara, New York
St. Patrick’s Day Parade, March 14, 2 p.m.
Join in Buffalo's largest celebration of Irish heritage. Celebrating for more than 65 years, the St. Patrick’s Day parade down Delaware Avenue begins at Buffalo's City Hall and ends at North Street. The parade features Irish dancers, bands, civic organizations and others who march in honor of St. Patrick.

Naper Settlement, Naperville, Illinois
The Irish in America, March 14, 7 p.m.
Weaving music with stories, singer and songwriter Lee Murdock presents a compelling story of Irish immigrants in Illinois, during this presentation of the History Speaks Lecture Series at Naper Settlement's Century Memorial Chapel. As they came to America to build their new lives in a foreign land, the Irish were also essential in building the canals, railroads and towns that became Illinois and America. Both traditional ballads and modern historical songs are featured in this presentation.

Landmark Center, St. Paul, Minnesota
Day of Irish Dance, March 14, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
St. Patrick’s Day Irish Celebration, March 17, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Take in all things Irish at two events at Landmark Center. Lively Celtic music, dancing and authentic vendors -- come enjoy these great St. Paul traditions!

McGillin’s Olde Ale House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
St. Patrick’s Day Parade, March 14 and St. Patrick’s Day, March 17
Those enjoying Philadelphia’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities, may wish to stop by McGillin’s Olde Ale House for a sampling of Irish tradition dating back 150 years.

Readers: Do you have a favorite St. Patrick’s Day parade, event or tradition? Please share them in the comments section below.

Photos top to bottom: Irish dancers at Wilmington, Delaware parade courtesy of Mike Biggs; McGillin's Olde Ale House sign.

Women’s History Month

As a young girl, I liked reading biographies about different people in history. But, the selection of biographies about women at our local library was limited to a handful of obvious female heroes, such as Eleanor Roosevelt, Harriet Tubman, Betsy Ross, Amelia Earhart and Pocahontas. As I reflect on Women’s History Month, it is a great chance to celebrate famous and lesser-known women in history, as well as applaud the accomplishments of modern women.

We’ve compiled a list of Women’s History Month activities and events from Gozaic partners showcasing women and their work through tours, lectures, films, art exhibits and more.

Leesburg-Loudoun County, Virginia
Women in Aviation & Space, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, March 13, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“Women in Aviation & Space” highlights the many achievements of women in science, technology and aerospace. Visitors will learn about the accomplishments of Amelia Earhart, the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs), astronaut Sally Ride and women who are currently contributing to aviation, science, technology and space exploration. You can also participate in book signings, story time and fun and educational hands-on activities throughout the museum.

Tudor Place, Washington, D.C.
Women, Love and Property Tour & Tea, March 13, 10:30 a.m.
Celebrate Women’s History Month at Tudor Place. Six generations of women played an integral part in the preservation of the historic mansion and the objects and papers of their significant family. This tour explores the changing role of women from 1816 through modern times. The tour highlights artifacts and documents from the family matriarch, Martha Washington, as well as those of Martha Custis Peter, first owner of Tudor Place, and her daughter Britannia Peter Kennon. After the tour, enjoy a traditional Victorian tea complete with tea sandwiches, scones, delicious desserts and historic tea blends.

Sewall-Belmont House, Washington, D.C.
An Evening with Cokie Roberts, March 23, 6:30 p.m.
Join celebrated journalist Cokie Roberts as she shares personal thoughts and insights into her work, followed by a question-and-answer period, book signing and reception at Sewall-Belmont House. Roberts is the 2006 Alice Awards recipient, as well as the author of “We Are Our Mothers' Daughters” and “Founding Mothers.” This is just one of several Women’s History Month events at Sewall-Belmont House.

Wilmington and Brandywine Valley, Delaware
Women’s History, Women’s Lives, 24th Annual Film Series, through March 23
Greater Wilmington and the University of Delaware celebrate Women’s History Month with the 24th Annual Film Series, “Women’s History, Women’s Lives.” Through March 23, a different film will be shown every Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. and followed by a discussion led by a professor with expertise in the film’s subject matter. The screenings will be held at the University of Delaware’s Newark Campus.

Buffalo-Niagara, New York
A Variety of Events throughout the Month
Join this month-long celebration of women in history. Activities include gallery exhibits featuring women artists, theatrical productions, musical events, business seminars and workshops, films and networking opportunities. The Erie County Commission on the Status of Women and the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library lead a coalition of organizations in planning nearly 50 activities.

Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia
A Variety of Programs throughout March
Colonial Williamsburg celebrates the contributions of women of the 18th century to the history of our nation, with programs throughout the month of March. Scenes, tours, programs and special presentations explore the various roles that our foremothers filled in birthing a new nation.

Mary Billingsley is the director of media relations for Gozaic.com.

Photos top to bottom courtesy of: Tudor Place, Washington, D.C.; Sewall-Belmont House, Washington, D.C.