Corn dogs, caramel apples, smoked lizard and elephants. One of these doesn't fit, And it isn't the smoked lizard.
At this year's Arizona State Fair, there are more than 15 new food items to choose from. Some take their cue from the regional cooking of Mexico. And many are accompanied by a chocolate side sauce for even more deliciousness.
Here are 10 of the more exotic fare:
1. Mexican funnel cake
This elaborate dish is the biggest dessert at the fair. It puts a twist on the traditional funnel cake by using churro dough topped with whipped cream and strawberries. It comes in two sizes: a 5-pound jumbo family size and the regular size that feeds two to three people. Oh, and if you can eat a jumbo-sized cake by yourself in 30 minutes, you get a free meal. And possibly a sugar coma.
2. Chocolate covered bacon
This delectable dish is deep fried, crispy bacon that has been dipped in chocolate and salted on the top. It is a combination of salty and sweet sensations that is similar to a chocolate-covered pretzel. The bacon gives it a smoky flavor while the overlying semi-sweet chocolate adds a delicious candied taste. It has a super crispy texture. Vendor Mike Peterson recommends eating it with an extra packet of salt for an even better taste.
3. Deep fried scorpion
A scorpion sighting in the surrounding desert isn't unusual, but coming across a dead one dipped in chocolate on a stick might be. These state fair scorpions are deep fried, cooled and dipped in sweet, savory chocolate. This Chinese delicacy offers a crunchy taste. Chef John of Chef du Jour, the vendor catering this dish, gives his advice on eating and conquering this arachnid treat: Bite straight down on the head of the scorpion facing the top instead of the tail which curls up toward it and work your way from there.
4. Smoked lizard on a stick
Don't be alarmed, these farm lizards were raised for food purposes. That probably doesn't make it any better. But the fact that the lizards taste like chicken dipped in chocolate might. After having been smoked for 12 hours and smothered in barbecue sauce and chocolate, you won't even recognize the little critter. The treat tastes a little bitter and fishy, however the chocolate makes up a majority of the flavor. Put your fears aside. Indulge.
5. Deep fried crickets
Most people associate crickets with the nighttime noises they make, not for being tasty fair food. With four crickets per skewer, this finger food is dipped in chocolate. The chocolate helps first-timers who might be a little squeamish. The easiest way to eat one of these is to just go for it; set your fears aside for two seconds, close your eyes and enjoy the moment (this goes for the smoked lizard, also). Then you'll have bragging rights.
6. Sautéed mealworms
Cooked in olive oil, sautéed in garlic and smothered in barbecue sauce, these mealworms are served and eaten like a burger. The hard part about eating one is getting over the fact that you're snacking on creepy, crawly worms. However, the crunchy, crispy taste will keep from reminding you of just that. It's been compared to eating a fried onion but without the onion flavor. Need an incentive to try them? The mealworms are low in fat and high in protein.
7. Chocolate-covered peppers
The chocolate supposedly kills the heat in your mouth from these jalapeno and habanera peppers. But be warned: two to three minutes later, the body will heat up internally. Watch out for sweating and possible eye watering. Not afraid of the side effects? Then know that the snack is low in fat as well.
8. Tornado fries
It's called tornado fries for a reason. The fries take a tornado shape to the stick on which they are served after having been deep fried and cut in funnel shaped strips. One delicious bite and you'll be thinking you're eating potato chips because of the salty, crunchy taste. Take this tornado by storm and savor every last flavor.
9. Deep-fried bacon with gravy
With a name like that, it's probably easier eaten than said. Vendor Brian Bradbury said everybody likes bacon, so why not add a little extra to the taste? This crunchy bacon tastes of pork rind and is served with gravy on the side for dipping. Biscuits and gravy lovers will have a natural affinity for this food. And don't worry about getting bacon grease on your fingers because this deep fried bacon is served on a stick.
10. Reindeer dogs
Reindeer, also known as caribou, may be exotic to the Southwest, but Mike Forman, the Alaskan vendor, promises the creature isn't just served in a hot dog bun, but tastes like one too. Besides caribou, the dog contains beef and pork to make sure it stays juicy. Caribou is naturally a dry meat. For corndog fans, it can be served in corn batter and deep fried on a stick as well. It's a 100 percent authentic Alaskan trademark meal.
