If it's deep-fried or served-on-a-stick (or sometimes even both) you're looking for, then it's guaranteed to be on the menu at one of America's extravagant summertime state fairs.
Some states like to push the boundaries a little further than others when it comes to the sweet and savory snacks they sell. Yes, move over funnel cakes, these are the state fair treats you should be looking for this year based on past appearances.
Pickle Pops: Kansas State Fair
As the name suggests, these are essentially popsicles flavored with pickle juice. They may be refreshing and low-calorie (compared to some of the other items on this list), but non-pickle-lovers may want to steer clear.
Wine Fried Kalettes; Spaghetti and Meatballs on a Stick: Minnesota State Fair
Kalettes are a hybrid of kale and brussels sprouts. In Minnesota, they like to deep fry them in a wine batter and serve with sweet chili sauce. (Hey, at least you can say you're eating your greens, right?)
As far as the Spaghetti and Meatballs on a Stick is concerned, this sounds like a logistical nightmare to consume, right? But in fact, the creators have made a very tidy and, dare we say it, tasty, food-on-a-stick here.
Spaghetti is stuffed inside a hearty meatball, which is then deep-fried and covered in tomato sauce before being skewered onto a stick.
Fried Beer; Fried Butter: Texas State Fair
The former should more aptly be called "beer-filled ravioli," as the beer is poured into ravioli pasta pockets before being battered and fried. Watch your mouth as you bite into them because the hot beer has a tendency to ooze right out.
In perhaps the most indulgent display of state fair food ever invented, Texas introduced frozen balls of butter that are then deep-fried and served with some accompanying flavored sauces. Expect it to be a rather greasy affair.
"Roadkill": Oregon State Fair
You'll breathe a sigh of relief when you realize this isn't, in fact, deep-fried roadkill animals. It's actually a rather harmless dessert of flattened, misshapen deep-fried dough that has been covered in oozing sauce to make it look like some kind of small dead dough man. Moving on, then …
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Chocolate-Covered Scorpions: Arizona State Fair
This is actually one of the only items on the list that isn't deep fried before being served. Instead, the scorpions are simply covered in chocolate and presented to you on a plate.
Maybe the deep frying isn't so bad after all?
Kool Aid Pickles (Koolickles): Minnesota, Texas and North Carolina
We're back with the pickles again, this time simply marinated in Kool Aid to give them a vivid color and sweet/salty/sour flavor.
Alligator on a Stick: Illinois State Fair
If you like your swamp creatures teriyaki style (and who doesn't), then the deep-fried alligator on a stick in Springfield will fill you with joy. The meat is cut into chunks, then battered and fried.
We're assured that it tastes just like pork, but we'll let you judge that one for yourselves.
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Milkshake Burger: Florida State Fair
The classic cheeseburger has been given an upgrade at the Florida State Fair, where a scoop of vanilla ice cream is added to the lineup of ingredients loaded inside a bun.
The creators say every bite tastes like eating a burger and drinking a milkshake at the same time, hence the name.
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