Fall is the season for fairs, and one of the most appealing parts of fairs all over the country is fair food. Many of us tend to put our diets aside when it comes to indulging at the county fair. From deep-fried Oreos and billowing clouds of cotton candy, to huge roasted turkey legs and burgers dripping with condiments, fair food is known for being unhealthy but delicious. One of the icons of fair food where I grew up is fried dough. A handful of dough, dropped into boiling oil until it was the perfect consistency of chewy tenderness, topped with… well, actually, toppings vary depending on where you are and what you like. A few fried dough toppings that I’ve come across have included:
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Tomato sauce with Parmesan cheese. This is what those in Southern New England, particularly in Italian-dominated areas, put on their fried dough.
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Powdered sugar. If you want a sweet treat in most areas of the country, confectionary sugar is the way to go.
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Cinnamon and sugar. This is another popular dessert standby.
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Chocolate sauce. While I have never had this at a fair, some tell me that it’s quite popular!
- Fruit. Popular toppings include sweetened cherries and lemon.
In some areas, fried dough is cooked differently and is called a funnel cake. The batter is more liquid, and it’s drizzled into the oil to cook it. This is definitely a dessert, and is covered in powdered sugar and occasionally fruit. Of course, instead of a flattened blob of dough, you might have your fried dough served in stick form, like a bread stick, or even shaped like a pretzel. The toppings that you are offered might depend on your region: For example, in Connecticut, fairgoers are often offered the choice between sugar and tomato sauce. In Pennsylvania, you’re apt to receive a shaker of cinnamon and sugar to sprinkle on top.
Fried dough is served all over the world in different forms: In China, for example, you might find a sweet fried dough called shuangbaotai. In Bulgaria, you’ll find mekitzi, which are similar to our funnel cakes. In France, as well as in New Orleans, the people eat beignet, which is sweet and covered in sugar, and in Greece, loukoumades are similar to what we would call doughnut holes.
So, how can you replicate this at home? Start with your favorite dough recipe, or you can buy refrigerated fresh dough at the grocery store. You’ll need a deep fryer or a large, heavy pan. Heat two inches of oil to 375 degrees. Roll out chunks of the dough to six-inch circles (they should be about 1/2 inch thick), and carefully lower one into the oil. Wait 45 seconds to one minute, then flip it over, cooking the other side. It should be light brown and bubbled on each side. Take it out of the pan and allow it to drain on paper towels. Then you can top with sugar, cinnamon, tomato sauce, or whatever you like!
What do the fairs in your area serve as toppings for fried dough? Let our readers know by answering in the comments section below.
