Gilroy: Where Garlic Is King
Forget those trendy superfood bowls and perfectly-plated vegan creations – California has a wild side when it comes to food. From quirky festivals celebrating the downright bizarre to regional specialties that might raise an eyebrow, the Golden State’s culinary scene is full of delicious surprises… if you’re feeling adventurous.
If you love garlic, then Gilroy, California, is your mecca. This small town proudly calls itself the “Garlic Capital of the World” and hosts the annual Gilroy Garlic Festival, an extravaganza dedicated to the stinking rose. Expect everything infused with garlic: garlic ice cream (surprisingly tasty!), garlic fries, garlic bread, even garlic cocktails. The festival also features cooking competitions, live music, and plenty of garlicky souvenirs. “We’re all about embracing our garlic obsession,” says a festival organizer. “It’s part of our history here, and we celebrate it with a whole lot of fun.”
Festivals for the Foodie Daredevils
California’s festival calendar is chock-full of events that push the limits of what you think you can eat. Testicle festivals, found in small California towns, celebrate the, um, unique flavor of “Rocky Mountain Oysters” (AKA bull testicles) with cook-offs, eating contests, and plenty of jokes. Don’t be fooled by the cute name of the Watsonville Slug Festival; slugs are the stars here. While not everyone gets on board with eating them, the festival highlights the slimy creatures with slug races, slug poetry, and of course, unusual slug-based culinary creations. And of course, county fairs are goldmines for the bizarrely delicious – think deep-fried Oreos, deep-fried sticks of butter… the list goes on. If it can be battered and tossed in the fryer, California’s probably done it.
Across California, you’ll find local specialties that might make the uninitiated do a double-take. Livermush, found in the Carolinas but brought west by gold prospectors, is a loaf made from pig liver, cornmeal, and spices, and remains a surprising Southern California breakfast staple. Cioppino, a San Francisco classic, is a seafood stew brimming with the day’s catch, including Dungeness crab. It was a way for fishermen to use leftover bits and less-desirable fish, proving that resourcefulness can lead to delicious results! And in the desert, date shakes blend dates with milk and ice cream into a surprisingly rich and refreshing treat, proving that even the simple things get a unique spin in California.
Why the Culinary Curiosity?
Part of California’s adventurous food scene stems from its diversity. Immigrants from all over the world have brought their traditional dishes, some of which challenge the mainstream American palate. “California has always been a place where different cultures collide,” notes a food historian. “That makes for some exciting and sometimes unusual culinary mash-ups.” There’s also a sense of playfulness and a willingness to take risks. Chefs here aren’t afraid to experiment, to push boundaries, and to have a sense of humor about what ends up on the plate.
If you’re the type who travels for new tastes, California won’t disappoint. Search online for quirky regional festivals celebrating specific foods, and seek out old-school diners, ethnic restaurants, and places locals rave about that might not show up on “best of” lists. Talk to bartenders, shop owners, anyone living there – they’ll steer you toward the local favorites, including the unexpectedly delicious ones.
