SOUTH CENTRAL

FACTS:

• Population=7.6 million
• Popular due to the gulf and history of region
• Prone to natural disasters

FOOD PRODUCTION

• Fishing and farming besides the grocery
• U.S. Largest producer of rice, sweet potato & sugar cane
• Also produce soy beans, cotton, dairy, strawberries, pecans and hay

GEOGRAPHY

• Both states along Mississippi R.
• Soil is fertile
• Hot and humid with average rainfall 52"
• Persistent flooding
• Mostly flatlands

POPULAR FOODS

• Louisiana crawfish boil
• Jambalaya
• King Cake
• Pecan praline candy
• Gumbo
• Beignets
• Pecan pie
• Banana Foster

PRESENT & PAST

• States: Louisiana & Mississippi
• Past-claimed by France in 1682, passed to Spain in 1763, then America in 1803
• Slaves largely influenced food
• Present- gumbo still influenced by old recipes, original traditions and native influences remain

FOOD CULTURES & CUSTOMS

• Cajun, spicy foods
• Lots of seafood because of the gulf
• Rice & beans
• "Creoles"- wealthier southerners that eat creole
• Home cooked food at restaurants

TAILGATE MENU

• Po' Boy sand which
• Red beans & rice
• Crawfish boil
• Pecan pie
• King Cake
• Sweet tea
• Sausage & hot sauce
• Zappa potato chips
• Crab dip
• Beef queso

The south central region has a distinct flavor created by the diverse groups who settled, inhabited and owned it.