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Summer Isn't Over Yet: Here Are the 10 Craziest Things People Grill Across America

 

 

 

The kids may be back in school, but don't put away the grill just yet.

Labor Day weekend is practically the unofficial closing ceremony for summer, which means there are still burgers to flip, steaks to sear and, apparently, some pretty unusual things to throw over the flames.

A new poll looked at the grilled foods different states are known for. Americans love the classics, but some states have taken backyard grilling in some very interesting directions.

Here are 10 of the more unusual things Americans grill:

1. Alaska: Moose Burgers

Alaskans aren't messing around. Moose burgers make the list, along with grilled salmon and halibut.

2. Florida: Grilled Alligator

Florida has decided that regular burgers aren't enough. Grilled gator is a favorite, although steaks still make an appearance.

3. South Dakota: Grilled Pheasant

South Dakota puts pheasant on the grill. Burgers are also popular, presumably for people who aren't feeling quite that adventurous.

4. Wyoming: Grilled Bison

Wyoming goes big with grilled bison. Regular steaks are also popular, because apparently sometimes you just want a steak.

5. Montana: Elk Steak

Montana residents like elk steak, along with bison steak and brisket.

At this point, we're starting to wonder if Montana has a grill or just a campfire with a very ambitious menu.

6. Maine: Grilled Fiddleheads

This might be the most unusual one on the list.

Fiddleheads are the young, curled shoots of certain ferns. Maine also likes grilled lobster and mixed vegetables.

So you've got lobster on one side of the grill and... fern shoots on the other.

7. New Mexico: Roasted Green Chiles

New Mexico brings the heat with roasted green chiles.

Honestly, this sounds like the kind of thing you put on the grill and immediately realize you've underestimated the amount of water you'll need afterward.

8. Delaware: Grilled Blue Crabs

Delaware residents like grilled blue crabs, along with grilled chicken.

That's a pretty good Labor Day combination: something from the sea and something that used to run around your backyard.

9. Hawaii: Kalbi Ribs and Huli Huli Chicken

Hawaii brings some serious flavor to the grill with Korean-style short ribs known as kalbi and tropical Huli Huli chicken.

Grilled fish and kalua pork are also popular.

10. Colorado: Rocky Mountain Oysters

And finally... Colorado.

Rocky Mountain oysters are bull testicles.

Yes, they grill them.

Suddenly, your standard Labor Day hamburger doesn't seem so boring.

Who Are America's Grill Masters?

According to the poll, people in Louisiana are the most likely to call themselves grill masters, with 31% of Louisiana grillers giving themselves that title.

Georgia and Illinois weren't far behind at 28% each.

When it comes to confidence in their state's grilling cuisine, Texas takes the top spot, followed by Alabama and California.

As for Michigan?

Well, we're going to go ahead and nominate burgers, brats and pretty much anything that can be cooked outside while somebody is standing around holding a cold drink.

Because that's what Labor Day weekend is really about.

So fire up the grill, invite some friends over and enjoy what's left of summer.

Just maybe don't ask your neighbors in Colorado what's for dinner.

You might not like the answer.