While touring the Pelican state several years ago I exited interstate 55 northwest of Lake Pontchartrain and found the town of Ponchatoula, Louisiana's Strawberry Capitol. Early spring is strawberry season in this part of the country and while in Louisiana’s strawberry capitol I knew what I had to do: I stopped at the Berry Patch Café for their signature dish, the strawberry beignet (pronounced ben-yay).
Wow! The famous strawberry beignet may be one of the best desserts I’ve ever had. The beignet comprises eight pieces of fried dough; a small hollow in each piece is filled with strawberry jam. The rounds of dough are accompanied by mounds of real whipped cream—not cool whip—and covered with powdered sugar. To compliment the strawberry beignet I ordered a frozen strawberry malt. The trip to Louisiana was worth it just for that slice of strawberry heaven.
Ponchatoula's annual Strawberry Festival will be held April 12-14, 2013. By describing the strawberry beignet, (and by mentioning the word "strawberry" 12 times in this post), have I tempted you to book your tickets for this mouth-watering feast? If so, visit this website: http://www.lastrawberryfestival.com/
P.S. Average temperatures in mid-April in Ponchatoula range in the 70's.
One word: YUM!!
ReplyDeleteMy mouth is now watering. :-)
Let's go get some of those beignets right now, Vickie!
DeleteDon't know why, but when I hear or see the word 'strawberry', I'm often reminded of the Beatles song "Strawberry Fields Forever". As you might recall, part of the lyrics goes something like "Nothing is real and nothing to get hung about, Strawberry Fields forever!"
ReplyDeleteAnyway, that's a long way around to say that unlike the Beatles lyrics where "nothing is real", it appears that everything is real at the Berry Patch Café, not to mention really yummy for the tummy! :-)
John
John I imagine those strawberry fields must be near Ponchatoula somewhere—and they're definitely real!
DeleteYeah, those beignets sure were yummy; eating them once a year is probably enough for the tummy though!
Thanks for commenting.
Louisiana is one of my favorite places. I've been dreaming about New Orleans' oysters; now my dreams include sweet desserts.
ReplyDeleteHi Connye,
DeleteI'm glad to hear that you also enjoy Louisiana and its fine food.
Thanks so much for commenting and... sweet dreams to you!