I could smell the Great Jones County Fair before I could see it Thursday night. You know that aroma - an enticing mixture of grilled meats and deep fried foods. At the fair, it's generally true that the better a food tastes, the worse it is for you.
The top of that list for me is the funnel cake. Sweet dough swirled into hot oil, deep fried for a crispy outside and a soft center. With powdered sugar it's fabulous. With chocolate or strawberries, it's even better. I'm practically drooling now just thinking about it.
But, I haven't had one in years. You know they're good when I can't remember the last time I ate one, but the taste is on the tip of my tongue just thinking about them. I don't eat funnel cakes because they're on my list. It's a list I have of foods that I know are so good that my willpower shouldn't be tested to try even one bite. For example, I've never had a cookie from the mall. You know, the sort that are always soft and warm. Never. I don't trust myself.
I might sound neurotic. But, I don't think I'm the only one out there. Though nearly everyone I asked Thursday said funnel cake was their favorite fair food, I only saw one person eating one. I wonder why?
Not that the other options are all that much better. As long as it's deep fat fried or on a stick, you'll find it at the fair. Apparently the new rage in Minnesota is mac and cheese on a stick. Not sure how that works, but it involves cheese and a crispy fried crust. I see the attraction.
I ended up with a vegetarian gyro. The veggies were raw, which surprised me. Overall it was fine and I know it was healthy. But, I have to admit, I was jealous of everyone noshing on french fries and funnel cakes.