South Carolina’s Official State Snack Has People On The Fence

I had no idea states had official state snacks.  I've heard of state flowers, state trees and more.  But, I've never known the official state snack of any states.  According to Act Number 270 of 2006, South Carolina's official state snack is the boiled peanut.  And, they even supply a cooking method in the act to help us out.

Now, I definitely am on the fence on this one.  And, I lean toward jumping over the fence to 'absolutely yuck, no thanks.'  I was altogether unfamiliar that anyone ever boiled peanuts until I learned about them in 1994.

So, I was newly married and living in Tallahassee, Florida.  And, the folks I worked with at a radio station there started bringing in boiled peanuts.  Quite frankly, it sounded like something you eat on a dare.  And, I really thought they were joking about it.  However, they swore by them.  Then, they convinced me to try one.  I have to be honest.  It was even worse than I imagined.

How do I describe a boiled peanut to those who never tried it before?  It's like eating a cold soft mushy blackeyed pea.  Sorry, not sorry.  It's definitely not on my list of favorite snacks.  But, the state house website says folks in South Carolina started boiling the peanut way back in the 1800's.  And, the South Carolina State House said the practice resulted from residents trying to make sure no peanuts were wasted after harvest.  So, the leftovers after the sale of the crop became boiled peanuts.  I admire trying to avoid waste.  But, I'll just roast and eat them or put them into baked goods or on ice cream before I'll boil them.

And, since being introduced to them in 1994, I have seen numerous roadside stands offering them up.  Plus, there's even a festival in Bluffton that celebrates South Carolina's official state snack.  I even ran across a picture of the world's largest boiled peanut made from plywood and chicken wire.

So, maybe I am in the minority in my hatred of the snack.  But, at least I tried them before I made my decision. And, most people either love them or hate them.  If you have never had a boiled peanut, give it a try and see what you think about South Carolina's official state snack.

What an exciting time for football. And with the Super Bowl around the corner, you might as well make sure you have your appetizers and snacks in order. Whether you're excited about the game, the insane commercials, or the halftime show, it's certain that most people will be chowing down on apps.

Last year, a study found that appetizers make up most people’s diets on gameday. Interestingly, 70% of people skip the entrée and stick to appetizers on Super Bowl Sunday. This study also found that 41% say they tend to overeat.

Another study found that more than half of people look forward to game day parties because of the food. Also, highlighted is that 74% of people plan to make food at home. Meanwhile, 26% plan to order from restaurants. Either way, there will be food.

Taste of Home compiled a list of what they consider to be the best of the best when it comes to apps. Their top five include an antipasto platter with meat and cheese cubes, pepper jelly hogs in a blanket, beef Wellington fried wontons, fruit charcuterie board, and ham and Swiss sliders.

There’s something for everyone from last-minute party throwers to ambitious hosts. If you're looking for something quick chips and dip is a go. If you're looking for something with a bit of pizazz, maybe try a quesadilla ring.

This year's Super Bowl will be held on Sunday, Feb. 11. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. EST. Whether you're tuning in for the game, watching for the commercials, or just want to see Usher's halftime show, make sure you have your snacks ready to go.

There are many game day apps you can add to the menu, from wings, dips, and sliders, to desserts, and breads. Check out these appetizers that will make watching the game even more fun.

Whether you're going store-bought or homemade, chicken wings are a definite crowd pleaser. They're easily customizable from a simple dry rub to a tossed-in sauce moment. And if you are trying to keep things somewhat on the healthier side, you can always bake your wings instead of frying them.

Nachos are a game-day favorite for many. You can go all out with toppings or keep it simple if you need to make something quick. The main ingredients include tortilla chips, cheese, and toppings. These toppings can be meat, tomatoes, black olives, black beans, corn, onions, among others.

Buffalo chicken dip features chicken mixed with your favorite buffalo sauce and cream cheese. If don't feel like cooking the chicken, you can always grab a rotisserie chicken. It can be paired with tortilla chips, crackers, or toasted baguette slices.

These are a budget-friendly option that can be made with ingredients that you probably already have on hand. It's a more effortless appetizer made with the crispy skins of a baked potato filled with bacon, cheese, sour cream, and chives. To make it more of an appetizer, you can opt for smaller potatoes.

This appetizer is like a miniature bite of comfort food. They're creamy balls of mac and cheese that are crispy on the outside and cheesy on the inside. And they are made with a few ingredients including pasta, cheese, milk, flour, eggs, panko, and seasonings.