Introduction



The United States as a nation includes almost every possible climate. Some areas are cold and frozen while others are sunny, fertile and contain rich soil that provides a harvest of different crops. While some foods are common in all the regions of the United States, the people who lived in each region - both the natives and the immigrants who settled there - have influenced the ways in which these foods are prepared.

The United States is often described as a "melting pot" or more accurately, as a "tossed salad." It is a nation of immigrants. People from many nations have settled the 6 regions of this country, bringing with them their traditions and their food influences. Each of the 6 regions in the US has very distinct food traditions. Today, as travel and technology have begun to blur the lines of these regions. It is important to recognize the rich and varied history that has shaped each unique region of this country.

During your research, you will explore the contributions that both the Native American tribes and immigrants made to the food in each region of the US. You will also explore how other factors - the climate and location (ie. landlocked or bordering a body of water) and the history of the area influence the food that is available. As part of your study you will describe several dishes that are common in each region and provide at least one recipe.

Listed below are some words you may encounter during your research:

Bannock Cioppino Croquette Etouffee Goulash Gumbo Jambalaya Poke Scrapple Succotash Taro