The Many Joys of Carnival Foods
When I was a kid I remember traveling with my family to the local carnival. This yearly celebration was one of the highlights of my youth, and I still remember how much better the food tasted when it was eaten under the flashing lights of those carnival rides. In addition, there are many great foods that seem to only be available in carnival season, including many of the best tasting candy and confections ever to grace a palate.
One of the best tasting and most popular of all sweet carnival treats is the funnel cake. This delicious confection is made by pouring a specially prepared batter through a funnel and into hot oil, resulting in a sort of deep fried cake that simply must be tasted to be believed. The whole thing is topped off with powdered sugar, and sometimes topped with fruit or chocolate as well. This king of all foodss is enough to put children and adults alike into a sugar coma for hours.
Even though the funnel cake may be the best known, it is by no means the only treat available at the local county fair. In fact fairs and carnivals often feature row after row of food stands, all competing for the attention of food lovers from around the state.
One thing many of our favorite carnival treats have in common, however, is deep frying. Despite the health concerns, deep fried treats seem to be a staple of carnival food, resulting in some truly magnificent, and fat laden, creations.
One of the most famous of these deep fried confections is the deep fried Twinkie. This creation was perhaps the first of its kind, and it is still a staple at many county fairs, carnivals and other such celebrations. As the name suggest, this sugar laden treat consists of a Twinkie, deep fried to a crispy golden brown and sprinkled with powdered sugar. This unique take on an old favorite should be enough to satisfy even the most ravenous sweet tooth.
While the deep fried Twinkie may be the original, it has been joined by a number of equally delicious and equally deep fried treats. One of the newest entries into the world of delicious and decadent carnival foods is the deep fried Oreo cookie. Much like the deep fried Twinkie, this sweet treat consists of the signature product, deep fried in old to a crispy finish, and finished off with a layer of confectioner sugar.
Deep fried strawberry shortcake is another new staple of the carnival food scene, helping to complete the deep fried trifecta. If you are looking for a great place to break your diet, you could definitely do worse than the local carnival.
Of course the whole idea behind cotton candy, funnel cake, and carnivals in general for that matter, is that they provide a break from the ordinary and a great way to break away from the stresses of day to day life. Having a special treat from time to time is fine, as long as these special treats are enjoyed in moderation. From funnel cakes and deep fried Twinkies to greasy hamburgers and racks of ribs, enjoyed in moderation can be part of a healthy diet.
