Cuisine of the Western United States

The Western United States has its own cuisine, distinct in various ways from that of the rest of the country.^[1] Those states west of Texas, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska would be considered part of this area, as would, in some cases, western parts of adjoining states.^[2] The locavore movement is increasingly influential, as is the concept of sustainability. ^[3] The influence of the Native American cultures of each area, but especially in the Northwest and in Navajo country,^[4] is important in the cuisine picture of the Western United States.^[5]

Overview

Regional definitions vary from source to source. As defined by the Census Bureau, the western United States includes 13 states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. In turn, this region is sub-divided into Mountain and Pacific areas. The states in light red are sometimes considered "western", although they are often grouped with separate regions such as the Midwest and the South

In the Northwest, Oregon, and Washington, various specialties involving salmon, perhaps grilled over a wood fire, and such naturally occurring foodstuffs^[2] as blackberries and mushrooms may often be served in forms close to those in which they naturally occur as regional cuisine. The bounty of the land and those things the hunter-gatherers and fisherpeople found in abundance are major influences.

In the Plains/Mountain States, such as Utah, Montana, Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado and Wyoming, cowboy/ranch culture is a factor, and variations on the beef theme, outdoor cooking, and such events as chuckwagon dinners abound on dude ranches and at other tourist locations.^[6] Hunting is still important in the West, and wild game is part of the cuisine.^[7] Rocky Mountain oysters are certainly a part of Western regional food served up for the delight of squeamish tourists.^[8]

A growing wine industry is of great importance along the West Coast and increasingly important inland and to the north, not only in California.^[9] Along the coast, seafood is important.^[2] The evolution of California Cuisine^[10] and the influence of Alice Waters are major factors in what could be called regional cuisine of the West.^[10] The slow food and local food movements are parts of this phenomenon. The influence of the Pacific Rim is huge along the coast, and fusion cuisine^[11], along with interesting Asian-influenced and Mexican-influenced drinks,^[12] has become extremely popular.^[12]

Near Mexico, the influence of that country is important in food, with the culture of Mexico spreading as workers move farther from the border.^[13] The food of other South American countries can also be found and is increasingly an influence, with the food described as Nuevo Latino more and more often seen.

Throughout the West in areas where sheep ranching/sheep herding is important (Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, eastern Washington, eastern California, other nearby states) restaurants featuring Basque cuisine can be found. They are usually family-style, featuring large tables where diners sit with other parties and share serving dishes which are passed around the table.^[14]

See also

	Food portal
	Wine portal
	Beer portal
	Drink portal

• Alice Waters and Chez Panisse
• Chuckwagon
• Cuisine of California and California Cuisine
• Culinary revolution
• Fusion cuisine
• Local food and Locavores
• Native American cuisine
• New American cuisine
• Pacific Northwest cuisine
• Rocky Mountain Oysters
• Sunset (magazine)
• Wine Country (California)

References

1. ^ Western USA Cooks - Community - Allrecipes
2. ^ ^{a b c} Cuisine of the West Coast Article - Allrecipes.com
3. ^ Pacific Northwest Cuisine, America Eats, from Life in the USA: The Complete Guide for Immigrants and Americans
4. ^ Navajo Food - Traditional Navajo foods like beans, squash and corn
5. ^ ^ http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3190/is_n29_v28/ai_15627952
6. ^ Jackson Hole Chuckwagon Dinners
7. ^ http://chefscollaborative.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/cc-game-communique.pdf
8. ^ Rocky Mountain Oysters, prairie oysters, Montana tendergroins, cowboy caviar, swinging beef, calf fries
9. ^ 脱毛・両ヒザ！担当スタッフ制の銀座カラーでムダ毛撲滅！
10. ^ ^{a b} http://berncity.tripod.com/California.html
11. ^ http://www.abaoc.org/Events/AsianFusion/meet-the-chefs-part2.php
12. ^ ^{a b} http://www.nightclub.com/NCB_Magazine/NCB_March_2007/The_Tequila_Trinity/
13. ^ Hispanic American Influence on the U. S. Food Industry
14. ^ Buber's Basque Page: Basque Restaurants of the United States