Of the things that Clemson University is good at, winning football games does not always find itself at the top of the list — but people go wild for football here. On game days, Clemson becomes the biggest “city” in our state. What draws flocks of people to our orange town?
CU students from the departments of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management and Food Science surveyed tailgaters about various aspects of their craft. These students are researching the growing trend of culinary tourism, exploring the idea of food as a cultural experience.
What foods did the survey find best represent Clemson tailgating? Of course, fried chicken and beer topped the list. Fried chicken is a Southern comfort food, and it’s an obvious choice to take to a tailgate: easy to buy, easy to eat. Just pick some up from Fatz, Zaxby’s, KFC or if you dare, make your own. To go the extra mile, make a zingy horseradish mayo with a cup of mayo and a quarter-cup of prepared horseradish from the grocery store. Serve it as a change of pace from the same old same old honey mustard sauce.
On to the beer. Beer at a tailgate party is a no-brainer for obvious reasons. Also, it may seem like a good choice because a cold one from the cooler can quench your thirst before a noon game on a 98-degree day. But the real reason beer is so refreshing comes from a combination of temperature, carbonation and the amount of hops it contains. Considering the popularity of fried chicken and other fatty, fried goodies that abound under the purple and orange tents, a hoppy beer would be a good choice. The citrus-pine taste of hops cuts through fatty fried foods to retain a strong flavor. The bubbly feeling from the carbonation cleanses the palate, so you can go straight from fried chicken to beer to brownies without missing a beat. Try subbing some of those Bud Lights out of the cooler for a good India Pale Ale or Boston Lager.
Another go-to favorite of tailgaters is chips and salsa because it requires little elbow grease. Clemson student and lifelong tailgater Melissa Guthrie shared a family recipe that packs a lot more flavor with just a little extra effort. Drain one can of black beans and one can of whole kernel corn. Chop a medium onion into pieces that are about the size of the beans. Combine these ingredients with a bottle of picante-style sauce or any other salsa that is not too chunky. Add chopped fresh cilantro, minced garlic, and salt to taste.
The only ingredients missing are friends, school spirit and a good folding chair.
