JF Ptak Science Books   Quick Post

This semi-magnificent map, The Porcineograph, produced by the Forbes Lithographic Manufacturing Company of Boston in 1876 or so, defines the states and territories of the U.S. in terms of their regional foods.  Being a vegetarian of twenty years or so, very little appeals to me, though the foods do at least sound interesting.  The again, somne of it sounds fantastically bad, like the selections for Wisconsin (Boiled Hog’s Heads, Hulled Barley and Blood Pudding).

Arizona: Jerked Beef and Greasy Doings; California: Bear Steaks, Grapes and Ham Sandwich; Connecticut:  Shad, Hog’s Head Cheese and Gingerbread;  Florida: Turtle Soup, Oranges and Pickled Trotters; Kansas: Buffalo Tongues, Paw-Paw and Ham; Maine: Lobsters, Cunners, Pork-Apple-Pie and Baked Indian; Louisiana😛 Gumbo Soup, Poussoneau and Larded Beef; Minnesota: Gopher, Stewed Pork and Molasses; Mississippi: Persimmon, Bacon and Hoe Cake;  New Jersey, Pork Pie, Peaches and Pigeons; New York, Roast Pig, Fried Oysters, Strawberry Shortcake & Uninvestigated Drinks; Ohio: Sugar-cured Ham, Cream Cheese and Catawba Grapes; Tennessee: “Uncle Ned”, Bacon Roasting Ears and Corn Cake; Texas: Wild Steer and Corn Dodgers wobbled in Pork Fat; Vermont: Hasty Pudding, Maple Syrup, Succotash and Pork; Wisconsin: Boiled Hog’s Heads, Hulled Barley and Blood Pudding.

[Map source:  the Library of Congress.]