Here’s What Happens When Northerners Try Southern Food For The First Time

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It’s hard to find good Southern cooking when you live anywhere but the South. 

These Californians tried Southern food for the first time, and it wasn’t the stereotypical fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, or mashed potatoes. 

Instead, they tried a few less popular, Southern dishes like pickled okra, boiled peanuts, liver mush, country ham with red eye gravy, and Moon Pies. A few of the participants were very skeptical and grossed out by some of the food, but in the end, they seemed to enjoy their experience. 

Some didn’t even know what each food was! Referring to okra, one participant said, “Oprah or okra? This is okra? Oh, I thought it was an animal.

One described the liver mush as, “A sandier cousin of the hamburger.” Another commented on the invention of country ham saying, “I know, here’s something that tastes good! We’ll soak it in butter and gravy!

Every participant loved the Moon Pie because, well, it’s a Moon Pie.  One gentleman said he could see. “Every third grader in the South having one of these in their lunch boxes.

All in all, these Northerners now have a new found respect for Southern food. “California needs to step it up,” said one participant. 

All Southern food is cooked with love, and everybody noticed. This experience was educational for them and introduced them to one of the best parts of the South: food!

Enjoy the video below!

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About the Author

Jennifer Pernicano

Hi! I'm Jen, a Southern California-based country music fan. One of my favorite things to do is go to a country concert and experience the art of storytelling in person. There truly is nothing else like it!

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