18°c A few clouds
6°c Clear
The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION
Official state appetizer? Rhode Island lawmaker wants state to bestow title on calamari
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Georgia's got the peach, Maine's got the whoopie pie and now Rhode Island wants to claim calamari as an official state food: Specifically, its signature appetizer.
The legislation filed this week by state Rep. Joseph McNamara would honour the lowly squid, which Rhode Island chefs whip into a scrumptious delicacy by saut�ing it with thin slices of pickled hot peppers.
Ocean State partisans claim the dish, sometimes served with marinara sauce on the side, stands apart from calamari elsewhere, which can be deep-fried beyond recognition.
McNamara said Thursday the smallest state has the largest squid fishing fleet in the Northeast, and Rhode Island should be highlighting its successes at a time when it's got one of the worst unemployment rates in the country.
Rhode Island-style squid can be found on menus from New Hampshire to California, and TV personality Guy Fieri even features it in one of his restaurants, McNamara said.
"We have something that really distinguishes Rhode Island from every other state. In these difficult economic times, I'm tired of hearing the naysayers and Doctor Dooms that are really putting down our state," said McNamara, D-Warwick. "It's time we step forward and celebrate our successes."
Other states with officials foods include Florida, which honours the orange and Key lime pie and Oklahoma, which backs a whole meal including barbecued pork, chicken fried steak, fried okra and squash. With pecan pie for dessert.
But naming something an official state, well, anything can sometimes ruffle feathers. When Maine lawmakers proposed giving official status to whoopie pies in 2011, Pennsylvanians took exception, claiming the treat was rightfully theirs. The legislation ultimately passed, but without the signature of the governor, who said he was focused on other priorities.
It's not just official foodstuffs that prompt passionate debate. In Massachusetts, competing camps of music lovers are pushing different 1970s songs to be named the state's official rock song: Aerosmith's power ballad "Dream On" or the Modern Lovers' ode to the Bay State, "Roadrunner."
McNamara said he hasn't heard of any other state having an official state appetizer and dismissed concerns that the legislation was frivolous. He said he's hopeful his calamari bill will pass, and said it could be just the beginning.
"As any gourmet would recognize, you always start with the appetizer," he said. "Who knows? We might go on to entrees next year."
More Home and Family
- Back to Top
- Return to Home and Family
More Home and Family
(1 of 5 articles for today)
TACO NIGHT: Ditch the seasoning packet and iceberg lettuce. Top chefs offer creative revamps
2:12 PM 0
Poll
Most Popular Home and Family
- Bernard Waber, author and creator of beloved Lyle the crocodile, dies at age 91
- THE HEALTHY PLATE: Recipe for fresh summer rolls with spicy peanut dipping sauce
- Rio fashion shows deliver bikinis in everything from see-through mesh to rigid metal
- Active transportation declines: Fewer kids commuting by foot, bike, report finds
- To bra strap or not: 'Girls' costume designer says you should take a stand on underpinnings
- Don't take the cinnamon challenge: Doctors warn teens after surge in calls to poison centres
- University program aims to work the knots out of foreign physio training
- The office cubicle: decorating that home away from home
- Jazzing up the campfire classic, including toasted mocha s'more and sesame caramel s'more
- Pucci Girl has playful take on 2014 holiday cheer
- Canada's national lab has new sample of coronavirus, planning studies
- Bernard Waber, author and creator of beloved Lyle the crocodile, dies at age 91
- People eat too much salt but surprising report questions if eating too little could be harmful
- Rio fashion shows deliver bikinis in everything from see-through mesh to rigid metal
- THE HEALTHY PLATE: Recipe for fresh summer rolls with spicy peanut dipping sauce
- To bra strap or not: 'Girls' costume designer says you should take a stand on underpinnings
- Google plants playable Atari Breakout Easter egg in image search
- New options for breast cancer surgery treat women faster, gentler and preserve more tissue
- Courthouse dogs provide comfort and controversy, 10 years after first appearance
- Don't take the cinnamon challenge: Doctors warn teens after surge in calls to poison centres
- Don't take the cinnamon challenge: Doctors warn teens after surge in calls to poison centres
- Canada has second-highest rate of first-day infant deaths in industrialized world: report
- Saudi coronavirus cases grow by 3; 13 cases, 7 deaths in health-care cluster
- Dogs can experience separation anxiety and depression just like humans
- Joe Fresh items made in Bangladesh factory that collapsed, killing at least 290
- A medical triumph: 1 week later, all Boston bomb patients are likely to survive; 14 lost limbs
- Obstetricians and gynecologists group calls for HPV vaccine for boys
- To bra strap or not: 'Girls' costume designer says you should take a stand on underpinnings
- Rio fashion shows deliver bikinis in everything from see-through mesh to rigid metal
- The future: For 3 rescued Cleveland women, a confusing ordeal of recovery begins now
- New options for breast cancer surgery treat women faster, gentler and preserve more tissue
- THE HEALTHY PLATE: Recipe for fresh summer rolls with spicy peanut dipping sauce
- Don't take the cinnamon challenge: Doctors warn teens after surge in calls to poison centres
- Dogs can experience separation anxiety and depression just like humans
- Loblaw sending reps to Bangladesh; Canadian retailers to hold urgent meeting
- Fibonacci number sequence turns up throughout plant world, and art world too
- Obstetricians and gynecologists group calls for HPV vaccine for boys
- COOKING ON DEADLINE: Recipe for rosemary lamb tagine with chickpeas and tomatoes
- A medical triumph: 1 week later, all Boston bomb patients are likely to survive; 14 lost limbs
- THE AMERICAN TABLE: Recipe for English muffin cheese and tomato sandwich
- Joe Fresh items made in Bangladesh factory that collapsed, killing at least 290
- Cancer drug Avastin linked to 2 cases of flesh-eating disease: Health Canada
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.