Just when I thought I had seen it all in food indulgences at country fairs - they came up with something else. After all - did we really need any more ways to spike the sugar while clogging the veins? We already have numerous culprits like deep fried snickers bars and twinkies. The healthy sounding veggie treat the Blooming Onion can come as a shock if you are one that cares about in between meal munchies . After all you are spending the day walking around and it is just to hold you until you eat. So don't listen while I tell you the numbers from Men's Health Magazine. Ready - 2,710 calories and 203 grams of fat per onion. Told you not to listen.
Believe me, I am far from a food snob when it comes to fairs. After all - isn't that one of the attractions. Yes we enjoy the skillet tosses, chain saw sculpture, oxen pull and so forth. But a freshly made hot funnel cake with cinnamon sugar is so much better than having ones senses tossed into oblivion on one of those spinning, racing, upside down rides. (Or is that my age showing.) One thing we have learned though is that sharing a special delicacy gives one the treat but leaves room for other favorite fair foods.
Our menu for the day (over and above the obligatory funnel cake or fried dough) always includes a sweet Italian sausage sandwich with loads of fried onions and peppers (with a diet soda or water of course). If we are lucky enough to find them, the afternoon treat is french fried sweet potatoes. Sounds healthy. And before we head home at one of our favorite fairs is sharing a bowl of warm Indian Pudding with a scoop of french vanilla ice cream. And I would bet that our sharing of all these yummies does not equal one blooming onion.
By the way, Indian pudding has a base of cornmeal and molasses with milk, eggs and butter that is baked like a custard. Yes, indeed!
Well, I just saw a fair food on a sign at a fair here in PA (would love to see if they have it in Maine). Are you ready for our next sugar and fat delight. Are you really ready??
**** CHOCOLATE DIPPED BACON ****
Sorry - but my stomach just flipped again. They have the bacon on a stick (cooked I hope) and then dip it in the chocolate for you. I know, I really do know that some of you are saying - Wow, that sounds good! Would that be a breakfast treat at the start of the day - before the blooming onion?
I think I'd rather see bacon in its earliest stages. I love watching the baby pigs. Ever see a greased pig contest. Lots of fun and no calories and fat grams.
A stolen Aphorism - Always be yourself because the people that matter don't mind. The ones that do mind - don't matter!
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