Favorite Northeast Ohio Foods and Recipes
From the bounty of Northeast Ohio's farms and Lake Erie to the many ethnic communities in the region, Cleveland and the surrounding area has produced a number of unique -- and favorite -- recipes.
Hanky Pankies
Hanky Pankies, made with sausage, cheese, and a touch of Worchestershire sauce, have been a staple at Cleveland parties, tailgating events, and outdoor get-togethers for decades. Ask any Northeast Ohioan to name a quintessential Cleveland party food and you'll most likely hear "Hanky Pankies."
Hanky Pankies, made with sausage, cheese, and a touch of Worchestershire sauce, have been a staple at Cleveland parties, tailgating events, and outdoor get-togethers for decades. Ask any Northeast Ohioan to name a quintessential Cleveland party food and you'll most likely hear "Hanky Pankies."
Potato-Crusted Walleye
Lake Erie Walleye is Northeast Ohio's favorite fish. The flaky, white fish is abundant in spring when these fish flock to the streams that feed Lake Erie to spawn. This recipe from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources is a tasty way to prepare your bounty.
Lake Erie Walleye is Northeast Ohio's favorite fish. The flaky, white fish is abundant in spring when these fish flock to the streams that feed Lake Erie to spawn. This recipe from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources is a tasty way to prepare your bounty.
Pepper Martin's Five Pepper Chili
Pepper Martin is NE Ohio mystery writer Casey Daniel's favorite sleuth. Not only is she stylish, but she talks to friendly ghosts in and around the local historic cemetery. She also knows how to pick hunky guys, especially Quinn, a local homicide detective who just happens to be a great cook. This is his chili recipe.
Pepper Martin is NE Ohio mystery writer Casey Daniel's favorite sleuth. Not only is she stylish, but she talks to friendly ghosts in and around the local historic cemetery. She also knows how to pick hunky guys, especially Quinn, a local homicide detective who just happens to be a great cook. This is his chili recipe.
Sauerkraut Balls
Sauerkraut balls are a traditional Northeast Ohio favorite. They combine the cabbage so abundant in the fall with the region's German heritage. The combination is delicious. This recipe is my variation on the one made famous by McGarvey's in Vermilion. I make no claim to its being authentic.
Sauerkraut balls are a traditional Northeast Ohio favorite. They combine the cabbage so abundant in the fall with the region's German heritage. The combination is delicious. This recipe is my variation on the one made famous by McGarvey's in Vermilion. I make no claim to its being authentic.
Concord Grape Pie
To me, the best thing about going to the Geneva Ohio Grape Festival is all of the delicious grape dishes--particularly the grape pie. This recipe is one my friend Dan and I created after having maybe one too many slices last fall. It's a great way to use Ohio's sweet Concord grapes.
To me, the best thing about going to the Geneva Ohio Grape Festival is all of the delicious grape dishes--particularly the grape pie. This recipe is one my friend Dan and I created after having maybe one too many slices last fall. It's a great way to use Ohio's sweet Concord grapes.
Lake Erie Perch Chowder
Though not native to Ohio waters, white perch have become established in Lake Erie and the rest of the lower Great Lakes. In fact, they are one of the most easily found fish along the Cleveland coastline. This chowder recipe, from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, is a good, and tasty, way to prepare the fish you catch.
Though not native to Ohio waters, white perch have become established in Lake Erie and the rest of the lower Great Lakes. In fact, they are one of the most easily found fish along the Cleveland coastline. This chowder recipe, from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, is a good, and tasty, way to prepare the fish you catch.
Cincinnati-Style Chili -- Recipe for Cincinnati-Style Chili
In Ohio, almost everyone has their own version of Cincinnati chili, that unique stew-like mixture, served with pasta, cheese, onion, and beans. Mine is a little different in that it uses cubes of meat instead of ground beef.
In Ohio, almost everyone has their own version of Cincinnati chili, that unique stew-like mixture, served with pasta, cheese, onion, and beans. Mine is a little different in that it uses cubes of meat instead of ground beef.
How to Make Candy Buckeyes
Growing up in Columbus, candy buckeyes were always a part of any platter or tin or holiday treats. Made of chocolate and peanut butter and crafted to look like the fruit of Ohio's state tree, the Buckeye, these bite-size treats are a regional favorite.
Growing up in Columbus, candy buckeyes were always a part of any platter or tin or holiday treats. Made of chocolate and peanut butter and crafted to look like the fruit of Ohio's state tree, the Buckeye, these bite-size treats are a regional favorite.
Queso Fundido
Queso Fundido is a good illustration of Northeast Ohio's Mexican and Latin American heritage. This cheesy concoction is my version of the one served at Luchita's Restaurant on Cleveland's near west side.
Queso Fundido is a good illustration of Northeast Ohio's Mexican and Latin American heritage. This cheesy concoction is my version of the one served at Luchita's Restaurant on Cleveland's near west side.
Babka Easter Bread
Babka is a traditional food that comes from Eastern Europe. Traditionally, Babka is made for Easter and that traditions continues in our family. It takes many hours to prepare but well worth the time. This recipe makes three loaves, so you can share one or two with friends and family. My family doubles the recipe so that everyone goes home from Easter Dinner with Easter Bread.
Babka is a traditional food that comes from Eastern Europe. Traditionally, Babka is made for Easter and that traditions continues in our family. It takes many hours to prepare but well worth the time. This recipe makes three loaves, so you can share one or two with friends and family. My family doubles the recipe so that everyone goes home from Easter Dinner with Easter Bread.
Ohio Wild Turkey Dijon
The Ohio fall wild turkey season is a popular event in Northeast Ohio. This tasty recipe from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources is an easy and delicious way to prepare your bounty. Or, visit a regional turkey farm or farmer's market to buy your wild turkey.
The Ohio fall wild turkey season is a popular event in Northeast Ohio. This tasty recipe from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources is an easy and delicious way to prepare your bounty. Or, visit a regional turkey farm or farmer's market to buy your wild turkey.
Venison Pot Roast
Ohio's deer season, from mid-September through February, yields an abundance of venison meat. In addition, many butchers and specialty markets stock venison during the winter months. This pot roast recipe, from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, is an excellent way to prepare your deer meat.
Ohio's deer season, from mid-September through February, yields an abundance of venison meat. In addition, many butchers and specialty markets stock venison during the winter months. This pot roast recipe, from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, is an excellent way to prepare your deer meat.
Jill’s Mother’s Mother’s Mother’s Apple Noodle Kugel
Jewish food might seem intimidating to those who’ve never tried anything other than a bagel. But really, the recipes are very simple. A wonderful first effort is this kugel recipe from my mother (and her mother before her, and her mother before her). Make and eat it in good health, and L’shanah tovah.
Jewish food might seem intimidating to those who’ve never tried anything other than a bagel. But really, the recipes are very simple. A wonderful first effort is this kugel recipe from my mother (and her mother before her, and her mother before her). Make and eat it in good health, and L’shanah tovah.
Mustard-Broiled Ohio Walleye
As the Lake Erie waters overflow with walleye in the spring and the fall, fisherman are always looking for new ways to prepare the fish. This mustard-broiled walleye is a tasty addition to your recipe collection.
As the Lake Erie waters overflow with walleye in the spring and the fall, fisherman are always looking for new ways to prepare the fish. This mustard-broiled walleye is a tasty addition to your recipe collection.
Stuffed Ohio Wild Turkey
Wild turkeys, native to Ohio and other parts of the midwest are the traditional main course for a holiday feast. This easy recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving, Easter, Passover, or any family gathering.
Wild turkeys, native to Ohio and other parts of the midwest are the traditional main course for a holiday feast. This easy recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving, Easter, Passover, or any family gathering.
Oven-Baked Walleye
The Lake Erie waters just off of Cleveland and northeast Ohio teem with walleye, particularly in the spring and the fall. Here's a regional favorite, baked not fried.
The Lake Erie waters just off of Cleveland and northeast Ohio teem with walleye, particularly in the spring and the fall. Here's a regional favorite, baked not fried.