While in Arizona, I wanted to get a taste of the local food.



I definitely did that through the local restaurants, but I was excited to try some of the local goods, too.



At A.J.'s Fine Foods, there were lots of products marked as local and I picked up all the ones that intrigued me.



Here are some of my finds:

Cutino Sauce Co. - habanero-inspired hot sauces

Queen Creek Olive Mill - olive oils, vinegars and other sundries

Carolina's Chocolate - dark chocolate with latin flavors

Kettle Heroes Artisan Popcorn - unique Southwest flavors



The Simple Farm - goat's milk caramels

Hayden Flour Mills - stone milling and ancient grain flours

Do you have any other Arizona favorites?

"Liquid nitrogen ice cream begins like any ice cream: cream, milk, vanilla, sugar and any add ins (cookie dough, plz). Then you add the liquid nitrogen to the equation. This is where the fun begins and the cool fog billows out of the mixer. Since the ice cream can be made in a matter of moments, this allows customers to customize their own ice cream and see it made right in front of them. Most liquid nitrogen ice cream stores don't event have freezers because they make the ice cream to order," according to Spoon University.



This nitrogen ice cream food truck in Hershey, PA, Nitro Freeze Creamery, was serving their gourmet ice cream at an event I attended. Flavors were made with Girl Scout Cookies, so I had to try one of my favs: Tagalongs.



Ice cream + Girl Scout Cookies = that's a tough combo to beat. Sweet, cool, a little crunchy, a lot creamy. Delish.



Grade: A

Conner Prairie is a living history museum in Fishers, Indiana, United States, which preserves the William Conner home. The home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the museum recreates 19th-century life along the White River, according to Wikipedia. I'm a nerd when it comes to learning, so I loved checking this place out with my friend Kayla. And, of course, exploring the food.



Their shop has a lot of Indiana-based foods, and I was excited to check out all of them.

"Triple XXX Root Beer is serious business. From the early days of its inception, to the loyal soft drink lovers who keep coming back for more, a Triple XXX Root Beer isn’t just any Root Beer. There’s flavorful history surrounding this product. In the 1920’s, close to 100 Triple XXX Thirst Stations dotted the landscape along the United States and Canada, with over 150 bottlers producing the frothy product. It wasn’t just road warriors consuming Triple XXX Root Beer—you would’ve also found the soft drink for sale on Mississippi steamers."

"In 1991, Mark Tarner founded the South Bend Chocolate Company and operated it as a second business. The company got its start making chocolates under a license from the University of Notre Dame. Its first three products were the Domer, the Rockne and Nuts for ND. New confections roll out of the factory everyday. Twenty five years after our founding, we produce over 500 different chocolates and sweets. These products are available in stores nationwide and through our company owned stores."

"Purchases of Monastery Baked Goods products help support the mission and ministries of the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand, Indiana. The history of Monastery Baked Goods is rooted in a love of baking among the sisters. In support of Christkindlmarkt, an annual German festival held in Ferdinand, the sisters started making and selling springerles, a traditional German cookie. Following some suggestions from friends and community members, the sisters experimented and created the recipe for almerles, almond-flavored cookies that have the appearance and texture of the springerle."

And "old-fashioned chocolate, candy & ice cream shop offering seasonal specialties & guided tours" from now-shuttered Good's Candy Shop.

Devil's Due Distillery is a Kearneysville distillery specializing in whiskey and moonshine.



I had a quick tasting and snagged a bottle for my bar. While they specialize in whiskey and moonshine, they also have vodka and bourbon. Some of the most exciting options to me include Blackberry Moonshine, Pickle Moonshine, and Peach Moonshine.



But for me, I had to take home a bottle of Mango Moonshine. Next on my list is the raspberry, though. Make sure you stop by to check it out if you haven't yet!

Charleston has turned into a food truck haven this summer between the weekly levee events and the Regatta festival. Let's take a look!

A Taste of N'Awlins - really good mac & cheese, plus some high quality jambalaya







Bayou Classic - jambalaya and an armadillo egg that had my mouth on fire. But I liked it enought to keep eating.





The Cake Corner - a cake shake! With a real hunk of birthday cake. Fun and whimsical







C&L Concessions - straightforward corn dog here. I wish there was some like honey mustard that comes standard with corn dogs.





C-N-C Concessions - fried green tomatoes; they're a classic for a reason. Just wish there was a dipping sauce.





CPD CPAA - haven't had a chance to try them yet!



Crouch’s Rockin’ Rolls - some new local pepperoni rolls that are fluffy and tasty.





Diehl’s Pig Shack - by far, the best set-up. Lovely space and a pretty good BBQ sandwich





Expressway Food/Fun on Wheels - I can't find this one!

Fliehman Concessions - huge steak sandwich with all the fixins definitely is the best bang for its buck.







Gambill Amusements - cotton candy and a giant lemonade: the classics









Hughes Concessions - can't find them yet!

JoJo’s Tacos - hefty tacos with all the toppings. More of an American style, but with some good seasoning!







Rockin’s Rolls Cinnamon Rolls - giant cinnamon rolls with icing; they'll be warm no matter wht so they're extra gooey.





Sherry’s Concessions - haven't tried this one yet



Wild Bill - purchase a too-expensive mug to hen get to try the sodas. But, you can get refills 





WV Mountain Ears - just a lemonade here - but a very tasty one