Ask any South Carolinian who’s had to move away from the Palmetto State for any period of time what foods they miss the most and there will be more than a few common threads among most. And even though many of the classic dishes and foods in South Carolina are available in other places, it’s just not the same as devouring a delicious meal on home soil. How many of the dishes and foods on the list below are among your favorites from South Carolina?
1. Frogmore Stew
The Beaufort County community of Frogmore lays claim to inventing this Lowcountry delight. But you didn't have to grow up on the coast to enjoy this wonderful combination of shrimp, sausage, potatoes, corn, and seasonings.
2. Grits
Whether you like white grits or yellow, it's difficult to imagine a hearty breakfast without this staple on the table.
3. Southern Fried Chicken
Not all fried chicken is created equal and the egg batter crispy coating found on Mom's fried chicken was the absolute best.
4. Pimento Cheese
The wonderful combination of cheese, mayo, and cherry peppers is a taste sensation. Some might say Pimento is South Carolina's caviar because we'll spread in on anything and then grin from ear to ear as if its value is equal in weight to pure gold.
5. Hoppin' Johns
Most often thought of when New Year is approaching, this dish of black eyed peas and rice is a year-round South Carolina staple.
6. South Carolina BBQ
It's easy to see why moving away would create endless cravings for South Carolina's signature bbq — which happens to be the best in the world.
7. Pecan Pie
No holiday occasion is quite complete without a freshly baked pecan pie, with or without, whipped topping.
8. Okra
Fried, steamed, or sauteed, South Carolina-grown okra has been on tables in the Palmetto State for generations.
9. Cornbread
Enough said, right? Except that no matter how many pans filled with cornbread that come out of the over, we can't quite get it to taste as good as Mom used to make.
10. Boiled Peanuts
These snacks are obviously not a staple (or even a side dish) on dinner tables, but they're a must for watching football on the television, or baseball in person.
11. Shrimp and Grits
Seldom found on household tables, but quite often on the menu of any seafood restaurant in the state. Move away for a any period of time and then return only to make this the first item you order when you go out to dinner.
12. Collard Greens
Quite often paired with Hoppin' Johns (see #5 above) for a lucky New Year's Day meal, collards are an essential part of any southern meal. Seasonings make this dish, but these greens are tasty without any seasoning at all.
13. Sweet Tea
Admittedly, this is obviously not a food but true South Carolinians love our sugar-sweet tea and traveling outside the state to where they don't serve it already sugared is a bit upending.
Foods we grew up with somehow pepper our memories with tasty thoughts of the past. Did you grow up loving these foods in South Carolina?
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