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Virginia

Named after Queen Elizabeth I of England, the Virgin Queen, Virginia was the longest settled of the original Thirteen Colonies. In 1607, more than a dozen years before the pilgrims arrived in southern Massachusetts, a fledgling community, known as Jamestown, was established in Virginia. The early going was hard, and the colony was nearly abandoned, but the early Virginians learned to adapt and assimilate native foods into their diet. Corn became a critical food, both in the form of cornbread and grits for the settlers and as fodder for their hogs. Native Americans taught early Virginians to smoke meats. Today, Virginia remains renowned for smoked Smithfield country hams. Other Virginia favorites include such Southern classics as biscuits, grits, and red-eye gravy, and plump Virginia peanuts. The oyster is Virginia’s official state shellfish; the brook trout, its official state fish. And Virginia’s wine industry, Thomas Jefferson would be thrilled to know, has finally caught fire. Virginia’s nickname, the Old Dominion, refers back obscurely to the 17th century, when the colony stood faithful as one of the king’s loyal dominions during the English Civil War.

Featured Cook Tina Cooking Level: Intermediate Home Town: Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA Living In: Murrysville, Pennsylvania, USA

About me: I'm a stay-at-home mom to three young children (all 6 and under)! I love to try new recipes, especially ones that my kids will enjoy (which is not easy now that they've become picky eaters). I'm always trying to find new ways to incorporate healthy recipes into my weekly meal rotation. My Profile | Reviews | Photos | Recipes | Menus Favorite Food Lists Create your own Cook's Profile | MORE Cooks »