With less than 3 weeks left to the summer of 2021, are you planning on doing any
traveling?

If so, why not plan on a dessert staycation?
A dessert staycation?

Yes, traveling within the U.S. borders and visiting a state or two known for its
desserts.

In a recent edition of the “Reader’s Digest,” two authors revealed the 50
“best desserts” in all 50 states.

For example. if you visit Hawaii and ask for their “best dessert” you’ll be served
Haupia. It’s a thick pudding made with coconut milk and ground pia, (a member of
the yam family) or if you travel to South Dakota, and ask for their “best dessert”
you’ll be served Kuchen. It’s the German word for cake and is made with a sweet dough
and a fruit filling, say peaches, apples, plums or berries. Or you may want to visit
the wide open and green spaces of Wyoming, and for dessert, you’ll be served Cowboy
cookies.

And for those of you out there who love fruit and desserts, why not travel to the
states that are known specifically for their fruits.

An example:
For cherry lovers, travel to Michigan, which produces 75% of the nation’s tart cherries,
many of which end up in pies.
For blueberry lovers, travel to Maine, blueberries are one of the few fruits indigenous
to North America, and you can find them all over this state.
And lastly, if your favorite fruit is a peach, then you may already know that the state of
Georgia is the best place to buy peaches if you plan on making peach Ice cream or cobbler.

So, there you have it, an end of the Summer idea for all those people who love traveling.
A dessert staycation.

And one last bonus:
If you’re not able to make it to President Biden’s home state-Delaware (for strawberries)
or Michigan (for cherries) here’s a fruit sauce that can be used to dress up shortcakes,
pancakes, waffles or a bowl of mixed fruit, (cherries, strawberries, peaches and blackberries).

The recipe: Minty Fruit Sauce!
Ingredients:
1/2 cup of sugar
1 1/4 cup of fresh mint leaves
16 oz. of strawberries, peaches or blueberries.*
2 Tbs. of champagne vinegar (optional)
* Make sure to trim and quarter the strawberries, cherries or peaches.
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To make:
In a pot, combine the sugar and 1/2 cup of water; stir in 1 cup of mint
leaves. Bring to a boil; reduce to medium-low. Cook until sugar is dissolved,
about 2 min. Transfer to a heatproof bowl and let cool. Strain. In the bowl,
combine the fruit of your choice (strawberries) syrup and vinegar. Cover and,
if desired, chill for a few minutes or hours. Serve over Sunday waffles or
a bowl of Huckleberry Ice cream (Montana’s favorite dessert).

Sources:
* The July and August edition of Reader’s Digest
* Authors Emily Goodman and Genevieve Looby
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One last tip: If you’re not able to get your hands on the July 2021 issue of Reader’s
Digest, you can find the article here, just click buy recipes (at the top of this blog)
and look for the article, The 50 Best Desserts in Every State.