Cincinnati food specialities

December 9, 2009

in Book musings,Cultural differences,Travels

I spend a lot of time noticing the differences between my life here in Stockholm and life in the US. But in reading an article in the New Yorker yesterday, I am reminded yet again that every region has its quirks, especially in regard to food. My hometown of Cincinnati is fanatical about something called Skyline Chili. Basically, this chili is made with ground beef, tomato sauce and chocolate and is typically served up over spaghetti and topped with a fluffy mound of cheddar cheese. On the side, you have oyster crackers. Amusingly, the combination of chili, cheese and spaghetti is called a three-way.

Sounds terrible, doesn’t it? But this combo is something I grew up with and as kid, I was surprised to learn that people from other parts of the country did not know of Skyline. Now I have to have it every time I travel to Cincinnati. And while locals love it, the chili has never really caught on in other parts of the country. I think just the idea of it turns many people off. But I am proud to say that my Aussie husband Robert will happily dine there with me now. And that’s  in spite of his initial reservations.

Check out the article here: Cincinnati chili.

{ 10 comments }

1 Roger December 9, 2009 at 15:24

Hi Sandy,
when can we have that at your place ? sounds interesting, I have to test before I can make any better judgment 🙂

//R

2 admin December 9, 2009 at 16:30

Hi Roger, I can make it for you!

3 Jodi December 9, 2009 at 17:18

Doug loves a three way Cincinnati Chili! If you make the chili, I’ll bring the Knäckebröd! I love Vilma’s too…(See the next post if you don’t know what I’m talking about!) I love that you are writing about food. I’ve now had meatballs 3 days in a row!

4 Lucey Bowen December 9, 2009 at 17:52

I’m gonna try this in CA!

5 admin December 9, 2009 at 17:58

That’s great Lucey! You can probably find recipes online. Or there are spice packets you can order.

6 admin December 9, 2009 at 18:00

It’s a date. I will make the chili…I have some of the spice packets here and have not had it in a while!

7 Lisa B Hazen December 9, 2009 at 18:29

Cincinnati Chili! Sandy, you’re killing me! Now I need to make this tonight.

8 admin December 9, 2009 at 18:33

Sorry Lees… it does sound good, doesn’t it? But I am going to drinks and dinner at Rival, a place owned by Benny from ABBA!

9 liv December 10, 2009 at 22:51

I’m sorry if this is a stupid question, but wouldn’t that be pretty much “spaghetti och köttfärssås” (bolognese)? Gruond beef cooked with tomato sauce (and onion and stuff), not to spicy, over spaghetti and served with cheese, when you say it like that i sure sounds the same (children usually have cheddar on any other “ordinary” cheese instead of parmesan on it, here in Sweden). Or am I misunderstanding? At least I really feel like making some köttfärssås soon now!

10 admin December 11, 2009 at 10:47

Not a stupid question and the basic idea is very much like a bolognese. But the taste is much different in terms of the spicing. And the cheese is piled up in a huge fluffy mound! Thanks for asking.

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