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Great Lakes Midwest

The five Great Lakes touch on eight American states, of which six are considered part of the Midwest’s Great Lakes sub-region: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. (New York and Pennsylvania, you’re part of the Mid-Atlantic.) Native tribes hunted bison and foraged for wild berries, mushrooms, and the wild rice that grows along the shores of many northern lakes. French fur trappers explored the area in the early 17th century. They planted cherry trees along the shores of northern Michigan and settled towns like Detroit. The area grew up around fishing, fur trapping, farming, and finally big industry. During the 18th century, when the area was first opened to settlement, the Great Lakes and their river systems were crucial in moving people and supplies. Westward expansion brought Germans, Poles, Italians, Irish, Czechs, and many others into the Midwest. The cuisine that grew up around the Great Lakes area took the rich local bounty that the land and waters offered up and flavored it with the spice of the many cultures and traditions that have come together here.

Featured Cook stephanie Cooking Level: Expert Living In: Decatur, Illinois, USA

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